Come poke around for a DWR porcupine viewing

VERNAL, Utah — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is partnering with the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge to host a Porcupine Viewing event on Saturday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event will give attendees the unique opportunity to observe porcupines in their natural habitat.

The event will be held at the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge located at 19001 Wildlife Refuge Road, Randlett, Uintah County, about 35 miles southwest of Vernal. DWR and Refuge biologists will be present to answer questions and help attendees with spotting porcupines. Spotting scopes and binoculars will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own if they have them. Restroom facilities will be provided by the refuge during the event.

Porcupines are easily identified by their spiky fur, which is made up of long guard hairs and over 300,000 sharp, hollow quills. These quills are used as a defense against predators. When threatened, the porcupine will slap its tail toward the danger, driving the quills into the flesh of the attacker. Barbs on the quills make them very difficult to remove once embedded. Porcupines have sharp barb-like hairs on their bellies that help them climb.

Although primarily nocturnal, porcupines are often active during the winter, especially since there are no leaves on the trees, which makes them easier to see. They are mostly eating tree bark, needles, and dried berries in Utah’s river bottoms while soaking up the winter sun.

The event is free, but attendees are encouraged to register in advance on Eventbrite. For the safety of the porcupines, dogs and other pets are not allowed at the event. Porcupines are usually docile but will fight if threatened. Many people’s first interaction with porcupines is unfortunately when their dog returns home with quills in its face. If you or your dog are struck by a porcupine, seek medical or veterinary help immediately.

Directions: Take U.S. Highway 191 about 14 miles west of Vernal or about 13 miles east of Roosevelt and turn south on State Route 88. Head south on SR-88 for 14 miles; at the refuge entrance, turn left. The refuge headquarters is located one mile from the entrance road.

Sharing your yard: North American porcupine