There are two more opportunities for those interested in learning more about Utah's black bear and recommended hunts.

The two remaining regional meetings will be:

Dec. 18 — Central Region meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Springville Junior High School, 165 S. 700 East.

Dec. 19 — Northern Region meeting at 6 p.m. at Brigham City Community Center, 24 N. 300 West.

For more information about the meetings, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or call 801-538-4700.

The Utah DWR is recommending an increase in the number of permits issued for the 2008 hunts.

Changes to rules that regulate fishing contests in Utah will also be discussed.

The proposed fishing contest changes are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetingsinfo/dec8.pdf.

Information about other items that will be discussed is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings/next.php.

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Park naturalists at Jordanelle State Park will hold an animal tracking and animal myths program on the first and third Saturday of each month.

The programs will run from Dec. 15 to March 15 at the Rock Cliff from 10 a.m. to noon.

Registration is required, and group size is limited to 25 people. Snowshoes are available at the park.

Day-use fees are $8 per car for up to eight people. For more information or to register, call 435-782-3030 or 435-649-9540.

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The Utah Division of Parks and Recreation is offering a "Know Before You Go!" snowmobile education course on Tuesday at the Juab County Building.

The class will start at 5 p.m. Students must preregister for this class.

All those ages 8 to 16 are required to take a safety class prior to operating snowmobiles on public lands or trails, said Chris Evans, assistant manager at Yuba State Park.

To preregister or for more information, call 800-648-7433.

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The Utah Athletic Foundation has entered into a partnership with the Utah Winter Games to oversee the management and production of the 22nd season of the oldest and largest amateur winter sports event in the country.

The Games offer opportunities for all Utah residents to experience winter sports. Last year's events featured more than 5,500 participants, ages 3 to 90, who took part in 20 competitions in 15 sports and 32 instructional clinics at venues throughout northern Utah.