LAKETOWN – Clint Kearl, a property owner in Cache and Rich counties, was recently awarded the Legacy of Land Award by the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources.
This new award given by DWR recognized several landowners across the state dedicated to helping deer, elk, moose, beavers and grouse flourish in thier areas. Kearl volunteered to help with the emergency deer-feeding efforts in Rich County during the extreme winter of 2022-23.
As part of an ongoing initiative to grow more mule deer, DWR recently recognized seven other Utahns with the Legacy of Land Award to highlight their contributions in helping Big Game and other wildlife.
This new award was given to those who consistently go above and beyond to accommodate deer and elk on their private properties. These landowners are doing their part to help wildlife and often results in personal loss or extra effort without the individual seeking compensation or mitigation.
DWR Private Lands/Public Wildlife Coordinator Darren DeBloois said these landowners are making a big difference in building wildlife numbers in Utah.
“Private land often includes the most productive wildlife habitat in Utah,” he said. “Large numbers of deer rely on these areas during certain parts of the year.”
DeBloois said DWR also offers programs to address conflicts between wildlife and private landowners.
“Some landowners enjoy the deer and go above and beyond to nurture these herds and contribute to growing the deer and elk populations that the public then enjoys on public lands.” he said.
Other landowners recognized with the awards were:
Chad Olson for central Utah: Olson from Sanpete County allows hundreds of deer and elk to spend the winter months on his property, without requesting compensation for damages.
Stephen Ellis for northeastern Utah: Ellis is from Duchesne County, and his rangeland and cropland support large numbers of deer and elk each year, and he frequently allows DWR employees access to his property for wildlife-related work.
Breck Crystal for southern Utah: Crystal actively manages his land in southern Utah to provide winter feed for deer by leaving stubble or planting a final crop.
Lee Thayn for southeastern Utah: Thayn grows corn, alfalfa and watermelon on his land in the Green River Valley and is always tolerant of deer on his property, without requesting compensation or removals.
Chris Robinson for a statewide award: Robinson manages thousands of acres across Utah, Idaho and Wyoming and manages his properties with an emphasis on landscape health, responsible use of natural resources and meaningful benefits to wildlife and conservation
David and Robin Bradshaw for a statewide award: The Bradshaws have hundreds of acres of irrigated farmland in Beaver County and allow deer to use their property for the majority of the year.
The recipients for the award fell into several categories, including:
- Showing tolerance and coexistence with deer and other wildlife on their property.
- Participating in active conservation and stewardship, and managing their land in a way to specifically benefit wildlife, including building wildlife-friendly fencing, providing winter feed for deer and improving habitat for wildlife.
- Being a partner and advocating for wildlife by collaborating with the DWR and granting access to their private land for critical conservation work, while also encouraging community cooperation for wildlife management initiatives.
- Providing leadership for innovative wildlife and resource management across vast properties in Utah and dedicating decades of service to benefit wildlife.
DeBloois said DWR is grateful to these individuals for their passion for wildlife and for their partnership in helping deer and other big game animals in Utah.
“With the continued growth of Utah’s population and ongoing urbanization, it takes collaboration and effort to preserve available habitat for wildlife populations,” he said. “And we are increasingly thankful for residents who continue to use their land to provide for the future of deer throughout the state.”