Sandhill crane applications available July 2

By Sun Advocate

Applications will be available by July 2 to participate in sandhill crane hunts that will be held this fall in Uintah County, and three counties in northern Utah. Hunters who applied for a sandhill crane permit during any of the past three years should receive an application in the mail by July 2.
Beginning July 2, applications also will be available from hunting and fishing license agents statewide, the Division of Wildlife Resources’ internet website at www.wildlife.utah.gov and from division offices and hunter education centers.
Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 15 to be entered in the draw for permits.
It will take a few days for an application to arrive in the mail and hunters are encouraged to mail it as far in advance as possible before the July 15 deadline.
“To assure it’s received on time, those who wait until a few days before the deadline to send their application in should consider using an overnight mailing service,” DWR representative Judy Tutorow explained.
Draw results will be posted by Aug. 7. Hunts will be held in Uintah County, Cache County, Rich County and the eastern portion of Box Elder County. A total of 22 permits will be available for the Uintah County hunt, 46 will be available for Cache County, 17 for Rich County and 25 for eastern Box Elder County.
Those Carbon County residents who wish to send in applications should be aware of the hunting schedules. The hunts in Cache, Rich and eastern Box Elder counties will run September 7-15. The hunt in Uintah County will run September 28 through October 6.
The DWR expect a successful hunting season this year for sandhill cranes. In fact, the success rate among those who draw a permit, and go afield to hunt sandhill cranes, is about 60 percent according to the division.
Scouting is the key to a successful hunt. If a day can be spent watching sandhill cranes in the mornings and evenings, one can then observe the birds in flight between the feeding a roosting areas. This can be quite beneficial to hunters.
Hunters may also find success pass-shooting birds as they fly between roosting and feeding areas.
Hunters must be aware that some areas in Box Elder and Cache counties are closed to sandhill crane hunting. For more information hunters may contact the DWR for more information regarding specific area closures. This will allow hunters to plan in advance their hunting excursion.
By sending applications in early, hunters will stand a better chance in recieving a permit to participate in the hunt. Although no such hunt is available in Carbon County, residents interested are encouraged to submit an application and participate in the hunts this fall.