Outdoor notes

ANTELOPE ISLAND SCHEDULE

Antelope Island State Park will host a variety of holiday events starting Friday with a new video, "Lake Effect," to be shown in the visitors center.

The viewing will start at 2 p.m. and will give a comprehensive look at Great Salt Lake's ecosystem.

On Saturday, Dec. 24, the videos "Ancient Lake Bonneville" and the current "Great Salt Lake" will be shown at 2 p.m.

On Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 2 p.m., the video "Mariners in Hardhats" will be shown.

On Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 2 p.m., park naturalist for a Junior Ranger wildlife tracking program will be held. Children will learn which animals inhabit Antelope Island during the winter season. Participants should meet at the visitors center, dress warmly and bring water and sunscreen.

And on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 2 p.m., the video "Bridger" will be shown in the visitors center.

For more information call 801-721-9569.

WILD-TURKEY APPLICATIONS

Applications to hunt wild turkeys in Utah next spring are available. Hunters can obtain an application from hunting license agents statewide, Division of Wildlife Resources offices and the DWR's Web site, www.wildlife.utah.gov.

Hunters with a major credit card can apply on the Web site. Those without a major credit card must mail their application in.

To be entered in the drawing for permits, applications must be received through the mail no later than 5 p.m., Dec. 27, or through the DWR's Web site no later than 11 p.m., Dec. 27. Drawing results will be posted by Feb. 1, 2006.

A total of 1,560 Rio Grande wild-turkey permits and 487 Merriam's wild-turkey permits will be available.

Dean Mitchell, upland game manager, said most of Utah's wild-turkey populations are flourishing because of aggressive efforts by the DWR to bring turkeys to Utah from out of state, to trap and transplant turkeys within Utah and to improve turkey habitat.

Over the past 12 months, 957 turkeys have been moved within Utah to help existing turkey populations and start new ones.

Mitchell said Utahns shouldn't expect to see the Merriam's turkey population grow much more. Most of the suitable habitat in Utah that Merriam's turkeys prefer — ponderosa pine, mixed with aspen and oak trees — already has Merriam's turkeys in it.