Outdoor notes
Elk Festival at the Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area will be held Saturday. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The ranch is 18 miles east of Hyrum on state Route 101. Activities include free wagon ride, painting pumpkins, turning balloons into antlers, shooting pellet guns at targets and exploring for aquatic bugs.
And, if the weather gets colder, there's a chance there might even be some elk around.
"Elk have not come out of the mountains and into the ranch yet," said Marni Lee, assistant manager of the Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area. "We've heard them bugling in the evenings near the ranch, so they're close. Hopefully some of the elk will make their way into the ranch by the time the festival starts."
Lee encourages visitors to bring binoculars and to dress for all types of weather.
Starting Dec. 19, the ranch's visitors center will be open and sleigh rides will be offered. For more information, call 435-753-6206.
CHECKPOINTS PLANNED
Division of Wildlife Resources officers will be conducting fall checkpoints.
Checkpoints are set up throughout the year, but more are scheduled during fall hunting seasons.
"Monitoring public compliance with wildlife laws is one of the major reasons we conduct the checkpoints," he said. "We can contact a lot of people in a short period of time."
Catching those who violate wildlife laws isn't the only reason the DWR conducts checkpoints.
"Our biologists use these checkpoints to gather biological data about Utah's fish and wildlife," Dalebout said. "They examine the fish and wildlife that anglers and hunters have taken. They also visit with the anglers and hunters to learn more about the number and type of game they saw and the fish they hooked."
YOUTH BISON DAY
Students with disabilities from Burton and Lakeside elementary schools and Farmington and West Point junior high schools will have a close view of Antelope Island State Park's bison herd during the 15th annual Children's Bison Roundup.
The event will take place on Oct. 14.
Children will observe as bison are worked through the park handling facility, where they are weighed and inoculated and get their blood tested. The children will also enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides and guided tours with park rangers. The Children's Bison Roundup precedes the island's annual Bison Range Ride and Roundup, scheduled Oct. 22-24.
CUSTOMER DAYS AT 'BIRD
Snowbird's Customer Appreciation Days will take place this Saturday and Sunday and again on Oct. 18 and 19.
Those making a donation to the Utah Food Bank will receive a free aerial tram ride, weather permitting.
One can of food equals one free tram ride during Customer Appreciation Days. In lieu of food, a $2 donation may be made for a tram ride. All food donations benefit the Utah Food Bank, and monetary donations benefit the Wasatch Adaptive Sports program. The tram will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both weekends. Bring food to the front entrance of the Snowbird Center, accessed by Snowbird Entry 2. Cash donations will be accepted at the Snowbird Center ticket office.
For more information on Snowbird Customer Appreciation Days, call the Snowbird Events Hotline at 801-933-2110 or go to www.snowbird.com.
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