This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

With the end of the federal government shutdown, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge has reopened, much to the delight of water-fowl hunters.

The refuge is located about 50 miles north of Salt Lake City on the northeast arm of the Great Salt Lake near Brigham City. It is comprised of some 74,000 acres, including about 41,000 acres of freshwater wetlands.

An estimated half million ducks and 5,000 Canada geese are counted at the refuge each fall.