Fish Springs

Fish Springs NWR https://www.fws.gov/refuge/fish_springs/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_Springs_National_Wildlife_Refuge Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge is at the southern end of the Great Salt Lake Desert, part of the Great Basin in Juab County, Utah. As an oasis in the Great Basin Desert in western Utah, Fish Springs serves a variety of species including fish, migratory birds, deer, coyotes, pronghorn, cougars and other native species. The reserve can be reached by paved road from Lynndyl to Topaz Mountain and then by improved dirt road to the Pony Express Road/Lincoln Highway improved dirt road which runs through the Refuge. The Refuge also is a recreational area for permitted outdoor activities.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge Hunting This Blue Goose is the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a network of lands and waters managed for the benefit of wildlife and people. Welcome Welcome to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Established in 1959 to provide habitat for migratory birds within the Pacific Flyway, Fish Springs NWR encompasses nearly 18,000 acres, including a 10,000-acre wetland area. Safety The Refuge is located in a remote and rugged area with no gas stations or public services. Cell phone coverage is extremely limited. Visitors are highly encouraged to bring extra supplies in case of emergency. Prohibited Activities • Camping or overnight parking, including RVs. • Lighting of fires or campfires. • Use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting. • Littering, including spent shell casings. • Commercial guiding and outfitting. • Target shooting. • Entering closed areas or roads, even for the purpose of retrieving downed game. • Off-road vehicle travel. Firearms Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System lands must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32). Vehicles and Parking Legally licensed vehicles are allowed on Refuge roads which are open to the public. The speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted. Parking is permitted in designated parking areas and on the road shoulder adjacent to open hunting areas (see map). Vehicles must not block access to roadways, parking lots, or dikes. Hunting Regulations Hunting is permitted in accordance with Federal regulations governing public use on National Wildlife Refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Hunting is allowed on the Refuge in accordance with State regulations and the Refuge-specific regulations in this brochure. See Hunting Regulations Table for regulations by species. Consult the Utah Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Big Game Hunting Guidebooks for a complete list of State regulations. https://wildlife.utah.gov/ hunting/hunting-regulation.html Some areas are closed to hunting. Be familiar with regulations and boundaries. Hunting is permitted in designated areas for species listed in the Hunting Regulations Table. Hunting of all other species is prohibited. Hours Hunters may enter the Refuge two hours before legal sunrise and must exit the Refuge by one and a half hours after legal sunset. Blinds Hunters may only use portable blinds or construct temporary blinds. Portable blinds must be removed from the Refuge each day. Accessible hunting blinds are available (see map). Hunters must register and receive reservation confirmation by email at fishsprings@fws.gov to use one of these blinds. Priority will be given to persons with disabilities. Boats Boats that are 15 feet or less are allowed when hunting in open hunting areas. The use of gasoline motors and airboats are prohibited. Personal Gear Hunters must remove boats, decoys, portable blinds, personal property, and any other materials brought onto the Refuge by the end of each day. Game Retrieval Reasonable attempts must be made to retrieve downed or crippled game. The use of dogs to retrieve downed game, as permitted under State hunting regulations, is strongly encouraged. Dogs must always be under the direct control of a responsible person. Hunters and dogs may not enter closed areas to retrieve game. Be sure to allow enough room between the closed area boundary and where you are hunting to retrieve your game. Accessibility Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. For more information please contact the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, http://www.doi.gov/pmb/eeo/public-civil-rights. Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge 8454 Auto Tour Route Dugway, UT 84022 435-693-3122 fishsprings@fws.gov https://www.fws.gov/refuge/fish_springs/ Mailing address: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge 2155 W Forest St Brigham City, UT 84302 For State Transfer Relay Service TTY / Voice: 711 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov For Refuge Information 1-800-344-WILD September 2020 Hunting Regulations Table Hunting is in accordance with State regulations. In addition, Refuge-specific regulations must be followed and are listed in the table below and described in this brochure. Activity Season Dates Harvest Mule deer State general deer archery season only. State regulations The Refuge is not open for the State’s muzzleloader, any legal apply. weapon, and extended archery hunts. Pronghorn State general antelope archery season only. State regulations The Refuge is not open for the State’s any legal weapon hunt. apply. Coot,

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife List A Wildlife Oasis This blue goose, designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, is the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System. since 1960, and includes 12 species of reptiles, 2 amphibians, 4 fish, 44 species of mammals (at least 24 of these breed on the Refuge), and 298 species of birds (at least 70 of these breed on the Refuge). Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1959 under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds. This Refuge is one of over 550 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System – a network of public lands set aside specifically for wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages these lands to conserve wildlife and their habitats for people today and for generations to come. The Refuge provides nearly 18,000 acres of uniquely varied habitats that support a diversity of wildlife in an otherwise arid landscape. A 10,000-acre portion of the Refuge consisting of wet meadow and marsh habitats is fed by natural artesian spring flow. This area is managed by Refuge staff using an impoundment system. Other Refuge habitats include 6,000 acres of mud and alkali flat, and 2,000 acres of semi-desert uplands. Since the Refuge is the only significant wetland within a radius of 50 miles, it serves as a vital stopping point for migrating birds and is well known among birders as a location of unusual bird sightings. The checklist will be changed as Refuge staff observe and report new sightings. The status of the listed species, particularly many of the bird species listed as rare or accidental, will be verified or revised with increasing observations. Species abundance varies annually, sometimes tremendously, due to changes in wetland water levels, fluctuations in available food, and natural cycles. Many of the less common migrant songbird species actually may be present only for a period of a week or so during the migration. Seasons of Occurrence Sp S F W Seasonal Abundance The letters below designate species abundance on the Refuge. In the bird section of the wildlife list, abundance is listed according to season. Refuge management focuses on supporting migratory birds. Historically, migratory bird management concentrated on waterfowl, shorebirds, and water birds. Today, Refuge staff also manage habitat to benefit species of special management concern, such as the snowy plover, the long-billed curlew, and the least chub, which are subjects of larger scale regional plans. This management action supports biological diversity within and beyond the Refuge boundary. About this Checklist This checklist is a comprehensive list of Fish Springs NWR wildlife species. The checklist contains all wildlife species documented on the Refuge a c u o r x Other Codes • Spring (March – May) Summer (June – August) Fall (September – November) Winter (December – February) abundant – occurring in large numbers common – certain to be seen in suitable habitat uncommon – present, but not certain to be seen occasional – seen only a few times during the season rare – seen at intervals of 2 to 5 years accidental – seen less than every 5 years denotes a breeding species Acknowledgements C. Neuman was responsible for the initial compilation of this list. E. Sorenson, T. Sadler, J. Skalicky and J. Engler contributed many observations and suggestions in editing the list. C. Pritchett and J. Sikes contributed mammal and reptile observations and list editing, respectively. J. Banta, past Refuge Manager, initiated the development of this brochure and was a strong supporter of birds and birding at this Refuge. Note Visitors are encouraged to report any new or unusual wildlife sightings by contacting the Refuge staff during office hours or by writing a letter to the Refuge Manager. Please follow all Refuge regulations, and keep out of unauthorized areas. Please contact the Refuge staff regarding questions on regulations. Accessibility Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. Dial 711 for a connection to the State relay service for TTY and voice calls to and from the speech and hearing impaired. For more information or to address accessibility needs, please contact the Refuge staff at 435 / 831 5353, or the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240 Common Bird Name Sp S F W x u r r r r r x r a r a r u u x u a Swans, Geese, and Ducks ___ Greater White-fronted Goose ___ Snow Goose ___ Ross’s Goose ___ Brant ___ Cackling Goose ___• Canada Goose ___ Trumpeter Swan ___ Tundra Swan ___ Wood Duck ___• Gadwall ___ Eurasian Wigeon ___ American Wigeon ___• Mallard ___• Blue-winged Teal ___• Cinnamon Teal ___• Northern Shoveler ___• Northern Pintai