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Many of us hear from our bosses all the time to come up with creative, "out of the box" ideas. The Division of Wildlife Resources has one that just might save the lives of hundreds of elk and deer this winter.
Over the meadow and through the woods to the Hardware Ranch in Cache County is where you'll find the beginning of a pretty unique idea.
Dan Christensen, Superintendent of Hardware Ranch, said, "It's highly experimental, and it isn't perfect. That's why we're going out today to look at it."
Using pipes and gravity, the DWR is hoping to fill troughs this winter with enough water for thirsty animals.
"We always see deer and elk and other species up here struggling to dig through the snow," Christensen said.
Last winter was a tough winter for animals throughout Utah. Heavy snowfall kept many from finding food and water.
Mike Laughter, with the Mule Deer Foundation, said, "It was extreme, and I think it's because the storms lined up and they came in close proximity. There wasn't a big thaw between each one."
The DWR began an emergency feeding program, but still, thousands of deer in Northern Utah didn't make it. That's how this program was born. Now, instead of having to dig through several inches of snow and ice to get water, biologists are hoping deer, elk, and other animals will just go to the troughs.
DWR biologist Ron Greer said, "It gives them an opportunity, especially in the winter, to get fresh water."
And while dehydration was a big killer of elk and deer last year, biologists say the biggest killer was animals getting hit by cars as they were crossing the road just to make it to a river.
Greer said, "It's dangerous for people, and it doesn't do the deer any good."
At Hardware Ranch, the Blacksmith Fork River is on the other side of the road from where the animals winter. The troughs are placed in areas where the animals won't have to cross the road for water.
"We figure we're going to save 200 deer in this canyon just by providing a water source up and away from the road," Laughter said.
The DWR is still figuring out if the pipe needs to be buried and how to deal with freezing concerns, but they want it ready before the first big snowfall.
"The water line works. It doesn't work in the winter the way we want it to, and that's what we're trying to improve," Greer said.
Biologists hope to have six troughs in place this winter.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
