FARMINGTON — Getting kids to put down their smartphones and learn about hunting and the outdoors can be tricky business these days, but waterfowl hunters and state wildlife officials are hoping to do just that this weekend.
This Saturday, the Utah Waterfowl Association will host its Eighth Annual Youth Fair at Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area. The free event, which includes a free lunch, starts at 8 a.m. Anyone who is 15 years of age or younger can participate. Along with several others, the Division of Wildlife Resources is one of the event’s co-sponsors.
In addition to eating lunch and seeing live birds from Tracy Aviary, there are several other events and promotions designed to get Utah’s youth interested in duck hunting.
Among the offerings are airboat rides through the marshes and wetlands of Farmington Bay, one of the state’s premier duck hunting locations. There will also be rides in boats that are powered by engines called “mud motors.”
Attendees will learn how to hunt diver ducks from a layout boat. Utah state duck calling champion Brett Wonnacott and Cody King will teach kids how to call ducks. Bowfishing and bass fishing will also be taught. And just for fun, there will be a duck decoy tossing game.
The first 300 kids to arrive will receive a free duck call.
Several groups have come together to make the youth fair happen. They include the Utah Waterfowl Association, Avery, Camp Chef, Delta Waterfowl, Lake Bonneville Layout Boats, Tracy Aviary, the Utah Airboat Association, the Utah Bass Federation, the Utah Bow Fishing Association, the Utah Mud Motor Association, and the Division of Wildlife Resources.
Farmington Bay WMA is near Great Salt Lake on the west side of Farmington. To reach the WMA, follow these directions:
If you’re traveling north on I-15, coming from Salt Lake City and other areas south of Farmington, exit the freeway at exit 322. After you exit the freeway, the off ramp will fork left and right — stay to the right. After the road forks, take your first right turn, and continue south on the frontage road to the stop sign on Glover Lane. Turn right and follow the road west. Travel to 1325 W. Glover Lane and turn left into the WMA.
If you’re traveling south on Interstate 15, coming from Ogden and other areas north of Farmington, exit the freeway at Exit 325. Go to the stoplight and turn right on Park Lane. Travel south to the next light, which is at Clark Lane, and turn right. Travel west to the first stop sign, which is at 1525 West, and turn left. Travel south to Glover Lane. Turn left and travel to 1325 West, then turn right into the WMA.
