Outdoor notes

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 25, 2009

ELK HUNT PERMITS AVAILABLE

The state's general archery elk season starts Aug. 15, and permits are still available.

Permits to hunt buck deer in Utah this fall sold out on June 13.

"All of the state's deer permits are gone, but plenty of general bull elk permits are still available," said Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "This should be a great year to hunt elk."

General archery elk permits are unlimited.

Elk permits are available at the DWR's Web site at wildlife.utah.gov, from more than 300 license agents across Utah and at any DWR office.

Anis Aoude, big-game coordinator for the DWR, says the two Uinta Mountains units -- the North Slope unit and the South Slope unit -- are hunters' best bets if they're looking for mature bulls on an any- bull unit.

"Even though the map on Pages 80 and 81 of the 2009 Utah Big Game Guidebook shows a lot of any-bull elk units in the state, many of these units are covered by private land, or they're units that don't have a lot of elk on them," Aoude says.

For information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake office at 801-538-4700.

OPERATION DRY WATER SCHEDULED

PAGE, Ariz. -- Utah State Parks boating rangers, in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and U.S. Coast Guard, is sponsoring a boating under the influence checkpoint Saturday at Halls Crossing Marina area on Lake Powell.

Other local enforcement agencies will be assisting in the efforts.

Operation Dry Water is a coordinated, national weekend of BUI detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol- related accidents and fatalities and fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.

Curbing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities is a key to achieving safer and more enjoyable recreational boating. In 2007, U.S. Coast Guard statistics indicate that 21 percent of all boating fatalities were a result of alcohol use. This continues an upward trend in the percentage of fatalities where alcohol was the primary cause of the accident.

For information on boating in Utah, visit stateparks.utah.gov or call 801-538-BOAT.

STATE PARKS BOARD MEETING

MIDWAY -- The Board of Utah State Parks and Recreation meets from 10:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the Soldier Hollow Day Lodge at Wasatch Mountain State Park located at 2002 Olympic Drive in Midway.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting.

Topics for discussion include resource management plans for Antelope Island and Yuba state parks, a name change for Iron Mission State Park Museum, proposed changes to state park fees and election of new officers for the State Parks Board.

BIRD WALK SATURDAY

LAYTON -- The Layton Wild Bird Center (www.wildbird.com) will lead a free bird walk to Kays Creek on Saturday.

Participants will caravan by car from the Layton Wild Bird Center at 8 a.m. The walks are designed for birders at all levels, especially families. Participants should dress accordingly for the weather and bring binoculars.

The Wild Bird Center is located at the Layton Market Center, 1860 N. 1000 West, across from the Barnes & Noble bookstore.

For information, call 801-525-8400.

CAMPGROUND RESERVED

A triathlon sponsored by US Trisports Saturday at Jordanelle Reservoir has reserved the entire campground and boat ramp area at the Rock Cliff Campground area on Friday and Saturday.

The public can still launch at Hailstone but should avoid using state Route 32 to Rock Cliff, as there will be long delays and traffic closures.