Completion Form

2024

Final Methods for this project was to complete the fifth (5) year of a five year commitment that will provide a facility to raise ring-neck pheasants for Sevier and Wayne County Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (SFW) Chapters.  Utah Division of Wildlife (DWR) was able to raise birds for release on the local WMA's and WIA areas in Central Utah. Raising the birds consisted of providing feed and water for them along with improving the Richfield WMA to allow for additional cover and forage for the birds.  These practices included filling feed bins and water totes. DWR also worked with one landowner to secure a water lease.   DWR also secured the property in a lease from Richfield City that provided the land for the flight pens along with the WMA. DWR have worked with several Dedicated Hunters to allow them to help us out while doing positive things for wildlife in return. DWR raised over 2,200 pheasants this past year and had great success in recruiting new upland game hunters which will benefit the DWR in the future as we retain hunters for future generations.  This spring DWR planted (6.68 Acres) of 84 day corn for the pheasants and other upland game birds and waterfowl in the area.  The 84 day field corn provided additional cover and forage for the pheasants in the fall and winter months.  DWR is looking for the long term sustainability of the planted grasses to provide valuable cover and forage for pheasants and upland game bides in the future..

Future Management of the project will consist of oversight and maintenance for the flight pens as well the Richfield WMA.  This would include cleaning of the water tanks, brooders and making sure all flights pens are secure and free from damage. Future management will also include watering the WMA that provides feed and cover for the upland game birds in the area.  We have a public parking lot we keep free of weeds and debris and make sure that it is clean for the public to access.  In addition to the WMA we work with Sevier County Weed Dept. to make sure we spray for noxious weed species in the spring and fall of the year to help prevent the spread to other properties.  We continue to work with DH Hunters on helping them to fulfill their obligations to the program by getting them involved with the catch and release of the pheasants. This is a great project and we are appreciative of the funding we are provided each year for this project. This was the last year of a five year contract with Richfield City.  DWR and SFW have been rising Ring-Neck Pheasants in Sevier County for the past 10 years, moving forward a new contract will need to be in place with Richfield City and the DWR if this project is to continue.

Kendall Bagley

08/30/2024 23:54:42