Eden “Resident” Killed

Guest Post by Sharon Holmstrom
A wonderful variety of creatures live along the North Fork and Wolf Creek drainages. Many are human residents and then there are what the Division of Wildlife Resources classifies as “resident” deer. These are deer who do not migrate to the high mountains when winter ends but spend generations living in the same small area. They are acclimated to humans and their “home” habitat. They mate, raise babies in the thickets along the streams and please us with their presence. In the deepest part of the harsh winters, many of us feed them. In many communities, including ours, the presence of wildlife has been cited as part of the “quality of life” that residents seek to protect. Hunting these animals in residential areas is akin to walking into the zoo and, after you have shot the tiger, boasting that you have been “big game hunting”.

A number of the human residents of Eden have encountered problems with hunters in the past: hunters who show up with rifles, dressed in camo, crossing our driveways and fences to hunt in our fields and common areas. We were told by the county sheriff’s department that in order to have protection from these hunters we must post our property. In anticipation of this year’s bow hunt, we posted private property and common areas. We let it be known throughout the neighborhoods that we did not want hunters. Even with all these precautions, a local resident told a relative by the name of Logan that he could shoot a deer on his property.

This is legal within certain perimeters. First, the bow hunter must have WRITTEN permission from any household within 600 feet of the shooting site i.e. the spot where you shoot the animal be it in the open or from a constructed blind. (pg.40, 2010 Utah Big Game Guidebook) A homeowner may give you permission to kill an animal on his property but you still may not break the law by discharging a weapon in the vicinity of an unwilling land owner.

As bow hunters know, unless you are a crack shot or fire two arrows, the animal you kill may take some time to die, sometimes in an agonizing way. To assume that the deer you shot would remain on the property is unrealistic. A beautiful buck who has lived in our neighborhood for perhaps several years and was well known to all who watched him was shot by Logan late Saturday evening. His blood trail led across a county road and down into the common area of Eden Hills subdivision, where he died and lay unrecovered through the night. The homeowners association had not only posted this property as No Trespassing but had a citizen’s watch over the area.

Logan and a hunting partner trespassed on the posted common area the next morning, where they were discovered by irate residents of Eden Hills. He has been charged by DWR with criminal trespass which carries a fine and possible jail sentence. His partner was issued a warning.

If you wish to protect yourself from invasive hunters this is how you must post your property. “Properly posted” means that No Trespassing signs are displayed at all corners, on fishing streams crossing property lines, on roads, gates and rights –of-way entering. (pg.42, 2010 Utah Big Game Guidebook). For those residents living in a smaller lot subdivision this probably means posting your front, side and back yards. Violating land thus posted is a Class B misdemeanor. The consensus of the residents involved is that there should be no hunting in residential neighborhoods. It’s dangerous and it is not sporting. What is sporting is the hunters who make the effort to hunt the “wild” game in the mountains.

You may obtain a free copy of the 2010 Utah Big Game Guidebook at the Division of Wildlife Resources office in South Ogden.

Wolf Mountain Ski Passes on sale this weekend

For those who like to ski and are on a tight budget, we wanted to remind them of a Wolf Mountain season pass deal that expires this weekend.

Here are more details:

The best season pass prices of the year will be available starting next Friday August 6^th. Season passes can be purchased online starting Friday at http://www.wolfcreekutah.com/the-mountain/season_passes.php

Passes can be purchased online Friday August 6^th-Sunday 8^th. This early season pass sale ends Sunday August 8^th at midnight.

If you would like to purchase your passes at the mountain ticket office you can do so on the following times and dates:

Friday August 6^th from noon-5:00 pm

Saturday August 7^th from 2:00 pm-8:00 pm

Snowbasin Public Hearing Tonight - UPDATED

Don't forget to attend the public hearing regarding Snowbasin's development plans

Tonight (8-4-10) at 5 pm

Weber County commission chambers

2380 Washington Blvd.

Ogden, UT

UPDATE - August 5, 2010 @ 8 am

The meeting was essentially a non event with only about 25 people in the chamber (8 or so were Snowbasin folks).   All commissioners were present with the exception of Laura Warburton, who was excused.

Snowbasin made their presentation, then Kim Wheatley made some comments and recommendations on behalf of the GEM committee and their concerns of "area G," the commercial area proposed at the intersection of Trappers loop road and Highway 39.

Next, Huntsville Mayor Jim Truett voiced the town's concerns about the same intersection and the proposed commercial property.  His main concern was with Huntsville's future plans for annexation and the fact that the Snowbasin property would prevent Huntsville from Annexing West of the intersection.  He was also concerned with current and future Huntsville businesses and their ability (or inability) to compete with Snowbasin businesses.

A gentleman representing the Division of Wildlife Resources stated some concerns and Mrs. Stringham voiced concerns about rising property values and the resulting increased taxes. 

In the end, the OVPC tabled the issue until the planning staff could research a few more items, but it was apparent that the majority of the commissioners would be in favor of Snowbasin's request.

Ogden Valley in the Detroit News

Here are some out-of-state kudos of our Ogden Valley.

Northern Utah an outdoor lover's paradise

With the Motown economy flat on its back, we probably won't expect a rush of Michiganians. 

Perhaps the Motor City Madman himself will come try out our most excellent hunting after reading about the Wolf Creek Adventure Center.