Outdoor notes

ALTA HISTORY SESSIONS

The Alta Historical Society is hosting a series of programs, focusing on Alta's skiing, mining and political history. The fireside chats will be held throughout the ski season at various lodges in Alta during apres ski hours. The public is welcome and events are free.

Scheduled programs are:

Feb. 12 — Influence of the Wasatch Mountain Club on early Utah Skiing presented by Alexis Kelner at Rustler Lodge from 4 to 5 p.m.

Feb. 21 — Ode to Alf Engen, An American Skiing Legend, presented by Nic Nichol at the Goldminer's Saloon at Goldminer's Daughter Lodge from 4 to 5 p.m.

Feb. 26 — The Story of Modern Skiing presented by John Fry at the Alta Peruvian Lodge from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

NAC RACE CAMP

The National Ability Center will host the first Hamlet Cup Learn to Race Camp at the Park City Mountain resort Feb. 17 to 19. The camp is designed for youth with physical disabilities between ages 8-16. Camp will cover basic skiing skills, ski racing techniques and tactics, and focusing on general coordination improvement.

Skiers will train in level one race gates, free-ski, practice race drills and compete in a race on the final day of camp. In addition to skiing, the campers will participate in other activities at NAC.

The center has also released its 2007 spring schedule.

For information on the race camp call Mauricia Krider at 435-649-3991 ext. 624 or by email: mauriciak@DiscoverNAC.org.

SHED ANTLER RULES

As of the first of this month, the collection of antlers shed by deer, elk and moose is prohibited in northern Utah. Antler collection on both public and private lands is closed through April.

A growing interest in gathering antlers shed in the winter by deer, elk and moose has led to increasing numbers of antler hunters spending time on ranges that big game animals use in the winter.

The presence of people on these areas can have unintended consequences on the animals.

Winter is usually the most treacherous time of the year for mule deer fawns. Cold temperatures, deep snow and limited food can lead to the deaths of many fawns. Unnecessary disturbance by people just adds to the problem.

The collection of shed antlers is allowed from May 1 through Jan. 31.