From Deseret News archives:
Outdoor notes
The chances of drawing a permit to hunt wild turkeys in Utah next spring are better than last year.
At its last meeting, the Utah Wildlife Board approved the largest wild turkey permit increase in the state's history.
Permits increased from 3,020 in 2007 to 7,706 for hunts in spring 2008.
"There are enough turkeys in Utah that we believe we can do that without affecting the turkey populations," said Dennis Southerland, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.
Three hunting seasons will be held on most units. The first season begins on April 12. The last season ends on May 31.
The first two seasons are very much like the seasons Utah hunters are used to: a limited number of permits are available for the first two seasons, and hunters must hunt in the unit they draw a permit for.
The third season is 27 days long. Twice as many permits are available. In three regions — the Northern, Central and parts of the Northeastern — hunters are not required to hunt in a single unit. Instead, they can hunt in almost any unit in the region.
Applications for 2008 wild turkey hunting permits will be available starting Nov. 28 at www.wildlife.utah.gov. Turkey applications will be accepted only online this year.
For more information, call the nearest DWR office or the Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700.
DUCK HUNT SEASON
Utah duck hunters will have a 107-day season and a seven-duck bag limit, which includes two canvasbacks, this season.
This is the first time in more than 35 years that Utah's duck hunters can take two canvasbacks and two redhead ducks on the same day.
In addition to the season lengths and bag limits, members of the Utah Wildlife Board also approved a special Youth Hunting Day that will be on Sept. 29. Shooting can start 30 minutes before sunrise. In the past the hunt started at 8 a.m.
Utah's general waterfowl season begins at 8 a.m. on Oct. 6 in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Box Elder and Cache counties. Across the rest of the state, the hunt begins 30 minutes before sunrise on Oct. 6.
For more information, call the nearest DWR office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700.
BEAR RIVER PROGRAM
The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge will celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Activities include learning to identify ducks, geese and swans; taking guided refuge tours; taking a virtual bird tour of Utah; or learning about Cornell Lab bird science projects.
For general information and a complete schedule of events, visit the Web site — www.fws.gov/bearriver — or call 435-723-5887.
The refuge center is located at 2155 W. Forest Street in Brigham City.
JORDAN RIVER FLOAT
