Utah Falconry

I went out hunting over the weekend with some friends and their pair of Harris's Hawks near Salt Lake City. Here are a few photos from the morning.

©Benjamin Zack, 2014

©Benjamin Zack, 2014

©Benjamin Zack, 2014

Release the Pheasants

Last week, I went out with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources as they released pheasants at Salt Creek WMA just before the start of the hunting season. This year, Utah is drastically increasing the number of birds being released. I also shot a video which you can find here, along with an article and more photos. Enjoy some of the selects below.

Mason Asay, center, releases a pheasant at Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area under the watch of Randy Berger, right, on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. Berger, the wetland manager, released over 300 pheasants the day before the start of hunting season. (BENJAMIN ZACK/Standard-Examiner)

Wetland Manager Randy Berger examines the beak of a captive-bred pheasant before its release at Salt Creek WMA on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. The bird was raised with blinders in order to keep it from attacking other pheasants. The blinders are an alternative to the old method of trimming beaks.  (BENJAMIN ZACK/Standard-Examiner)

Dustin Mitchell releases pheasant sat Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. The release was the largest ever in the area. (BENJAMIN ZACK/Standard-Examiner)

Utah Coyote Bounty

I recently wrote an article on the coyote bounty program here in Utah. The state recently introduced a new predator control program to try and increase mule deer populations through the Mule Deer Protection Act. Through the act, hunters and trappers can get $50 for every coyote scalp that they turn in. You can read the article and view more photos here. A few of the images I shot for the story are below.

Troy Davis from the Utah DWR takes samples from the coyotes brought in during the coyote check-in at the Ogden DWR office on Thursday, Apr. 25, 2013. Hunters and trappers brought in everything from ears and jaws to full tanned hides. (BENJAMIN ZACK/Standard-Examiner)

Troy Davis from the Utah DWR removes a tooth from a coyote brought in during the Predator Control Program check-in at the Ogden DWR office on Thursday, Apr. 25, 2013. (BENJAMIN ZACK/Standard-Examiner)