Utah is home to 18 confirmed bat species, and an upcoming Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) event will give you the opportunity to learn more about them and to possibly see bats up close.
Bats are unique in that they are the only mammals capable of true flight. They live throughout the state and can be abundant wherever they can find food, shelter, and water. Utah’s bats feed almost exclusively on insects.

Seasonal water level changes at Lake Powell are becoming more pronounced as forecasts from the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) project continued declines through the next several months.
Lake level changes will influence the functionality of all launch ramps.
The lake water elevation is currently 29 feet lower than this time last year and has dropped nearly three feet over the past two weeks alone.

Aaron Keith, Jr. proudly displays a pike he caught during a recent fishing visit to Recapture Reservoir in Blanding. There are numerous places in southeastern Utah where you can snag your next big catch. Visit the Division of Wildlife Resources fishing page at dwrapps.utah.gov/fishing/fStart for resources to get you started. Sunni Kiro Keith photo

Over 10K boats were inspected for aquatic invasive species during the busy Fourth of July weekend.
The main goal is to prevent quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species from Lake Powell and infested reservoirs outside of the state from spreading to other waterbodies in Utah. 
Statewide, aquatic invasive species technicians inspected 10,301 boats and performed 256 decontaminations.

Bureau of Land Management officials are considering the use of Class 1 (pedal assist) e-bikes on designated mountain bike trails within the Moab Field Office.
They are inviting input from the public. The 30-day public comment period will begin today, June 30, and end July 30. Comments may be submitted on ePlanning by clicking the green Participate Now button.

The Utah Division of Wildlife fishing website features a large variety of links and resources, including an in-depth, interactive map that will help you find a nearby place to fish. You can also rate waters based on your most recent fishing trips. Visit wildlife.utah.gov/fishing to get started.
Blanding Res. No. 4

Join fisheries biologists at Blanding Reservoir No. 4 and learn about angling opportunities at six local reservoirs!
The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 5 at the Fourth Reservoir, located on North Reservoir Road in Blanding. Meet at the dock.

Collecting shed antlers from many big game species, including deer, elk and moose, is a popular pastime in Utah. But before you head outdoors to collect shed antlers during the next few months, you must complete the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Antler Gathering Ethics course — and the dates the course is required have recently changed.

By Maxine Deeter
Contributing Writer
For the second year in a row, La Sal Livestock Company (LLC) of La Sal, owned and operated by Lowry and Justis Redd,  was featured in a panel discussion at the annual Utah Section for Range Management (SRM) meeting held in November.

After fighting the wildfire for six days, crews fully suppressed the Verdure Creek Wildfire on October 18, with a final mapped fire area of approximately 157 acres.  
The fire was reported on Sunday, October 13, approximately six miles southwest of Monticello and a half mile north of the Blue Mountain Ranch Homes.

Scores of riders will explore San Juan County as the San Juan ATV Safari returns this week. A record number of visitors are set to enjoy spectacular scenery and cool weather that will make for comfortable rides from the high country to the low country.
The 22nd annual event starts on Wednesday, September 18, and concludes on Saturday, September 21.

by Spencer Gosney
Contributing writer
If one finds oneself traversing Monticello, and comes to the city’s southernmost exit, you will almost always simply driving straight.
However, if you were to change your course and turn right instead, a fabulous destination awaits. 

If you’re planning to hunt deer or elk in Utah this fall, here is some important information and tips that will be helpful when planning and preparing for your hunt.
Hunt Dates
The general-season buck deer archery hunt and the general spike and any-bull elk archery hunts are the first big game hunts of Utah’s fall season. They all begin Saturday, August 17.

A father and daughter died while hiking in Canyonlands National Park on July 12.
They are identified as Albino Herrera Espinoza, age 52, and Beatriz Herrera, age 23, both from Green Bay, WI.
The pair had called 911 to report that they were lost and out of water on the Syncline Loop Trail with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees.

Manti-La Sal National Forest fire officials are currently engaged in wildfire activity near Steamboat Point on the Monticello Ranger District, located west of Blanding, UT in San Juan County. The Babylon Fire, reported Friday, July 5, 2024, is approximately 50 acres, as of July 9, 2024.