HYRUM —While Utahns are fast asleep there are creepers out there fast at work.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wants to expose people to the amazing world of nocturnal wildlife. The Hardware Wildlife Education Center will have some captivating photographs and displays of those animals at an upcoming exhibit.
During the new, free Night Life exhibit the center will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during three weekends in October: Oct. 13-15, Oct. 20-22 and Oct. 27-29.
The Hardware Wildlife Education Center is located at the Hardware Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon in Cache County. The education center is typically open seasonally, primarily during the winter months while the sleigh rides and elk viewing are taking place.
DWR Hardware Wildlife Education Center Director Marni Lee said the wildlife you’ll learn about are those that people most likely hear at night while they’re sleeping in their tent or that you may encounter during a midnight walk.
“There are many reasons why nighttime is the right time for these animals to be active,” she said. “We encourage you to come to the center to learn more about Utah’s ‘scariest’ wildlife during the spookiest month of the year.”
The exhibit has display panels with jaw-dropping photographs and fun facts about the animals and birds. DWR has set up activities for families including free craft projects and hourly story times. They have developed a path near the center that will become an educational walk with enlarged book pages offering fun animal activities.
For those who visit the center on Oct. 21, there will be an opportunity to see live birds of prey that will be brought to the center by HawkWatch.
HawkWatch International is an authority on raptor education, conservation, and research. They operate the largest standardized network of raptor migration sites in the world, as well as over a dozen in-depth programs designed to study and conserve at-risk species like the Golden Eagle, American Kestrel, and Martial Eagle.
“We hope you’ll join us at the center to learn more about Utah’s nocturnal wildlife and enjoy some free activities and fun with your family,” Lee said.
Hardware Wildlife Education Center can be accessed by traveling 15 miles east of Hyrum on state Route 101. The fall colors this time of year will be on full display, the drive through Blacksmith Fork Canyon should be gorgeous. Fall fishing is also available in the Blacksmith Fork River that flows down the canyon.
While the event is free, DWR would like participants to register in advance on Eventbrite. For more information about the exhibit or activities during October, call the Hardware Wildlife Education Center at 435-753-6206.