Blair, a DWR regional representative, told the Northern Regional Advisory Council that permits remain available across several units, including archery and muzzleloader elk permits and roughly 3,700 any-bull permits that had not sold out after being made broadly available.

He summarized aquatic field work wrapping up for the season — projects include Bonneville cisco, cutthroat trout, western pearlshell mussel surveys, crayfish work and other species monitoring. The region recently completed a large Western U.S. shorebird survey on the Great Salt Lake and is conducting botulism research there.

Blair said DWR biologists have been spraying phragmites for four to six weeks each year and expected to finish the current season soon. He noted an East Canyon Wildlife Management Area committee recently completed meetings and that staff will begin drafting the WMA management plan with hopes to finalize it in winter 2026. He also described habitat-structure placements at Pine View intended to provide refuge for small fish from predators and said law enforcement officers have helped with wildfire response and issued citations related to camera use and baiting.

Staff changes and volunteer opportunities: Blair announced that David Smedley was promoted to central region wildlife manager, leaving vacancies including a Summit District biologist and a landlord specialist position focused on depredation in Box Elder County. He also invited stakeholders to participate in elk and pronghorn classification efforts.

Why it matters: the regional update covers field monitoring, habitat work, invasive-plant control and staffing — items that shape near-term wildlife management activities in northern Utah.