This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will be releasing 13,000 pheasants on 57 public areas throughout the state's pheasant hunt, which runs from November 7 to November 22 across most of the state but remains open through December 6 on federal and state lands.
The birds were purchased by the DWR and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife. They will be released in areas that have good pheasant habitat and good access for public hunters.
"Birds will be placed on wildlife management areas, waterfowl management areas and walk-in access areas," said Jason Robinson, the DWR's upland game coordinator.
Hunters can see where the birds will be released and how to get to those areas by looking at an interactive online map at http://tinyurl.com/qdjgad8.
On 14 of the areas, 13 waterfowl management areas and the Utah Lake Wetland Preserve, hunters most use nontoxic shot. Lead shot may not be used.
The birds are not all going to be released before the hunt opens on November 7, but will be released before each weekend of the hunt and early in the week of Thanksgiving.