Outdoor notes

HUNTING PERMITS ON SALE

For those who don't have a permit to hunt buck deer in Utah this fall, some permits will be available beginning today. That's when permits not taken in this year's big game draw go on sale.

Most of Utah's buck deer permits were taken in the draw, but more than 9,300 Northern Region rifle and muzzleloader permits and 6,600 statewide general archery permits are still available.

Bull elk permits to hunt during Utah's general season also go on sale today.

Hunters can buy a permit starting at 8 a.m. at www.wildlife.utah.gov and from DWR offices and more than 350 hunting license agents across Utah.

The Web site could be busy on the morning of June 12, so hunters may want to try later in the day or on following days.

Last year, buck deer permits sold out on July 23. Northern Region rifle and muzzleloader permits sold out on Aug. 21. General bull elk permits sold out three days before the hunt.

For more information, call the nearest DWR office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700.

SUMMER EVENTS AT SNOWBIRD

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort will open its summer activities on Friday, starting with the 11 a.m. opening of a new 24-foot, four-station climbing wall and additional summer activities.

Snowbird's All-Day Activities Pass includes unlimited, daily use of the new four-station climbing wall, Aerial Tram, Alpine Slide, ZipRider, Bungy Trampoline, Mechanical Bull and Inflatables.

The Peruvian Chairlift and Tunnel and horseback and all-terrain vehicle tours in Mineral Basin are scheduled to begin on the Fourth of July weekend, conditions permitting. Summer hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and early summer season operations will be limited due to heavy snowpack.

Snowbird will be open for skiing and riding Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Aerial Tram, Little Cloud Chairlift and Mineral Basin Express lifts will operate, servicing advanced and expert terrain only. The spring lift ticket price is $59 per day, and tickets will be sold at the Snowbird Center only, accessed by Snowbird Entry 2. Additional weekend spring skiing after June 15 will be determined by weather and snow conditions.

SHEEP VIEWING EVENT

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will hold a free viewing event for desert bighorn sheep in Sunnyside on Saturday.

Biologists will be available from 3 to 8 p.m. to help locate the animals and answer questions. Late afternoon until dusk is usually the best time to see the sheep.