Outdoor notes

COUGAR HUNTING PROPOSALS

Those who are interested in hunting Utah's cougars should pay attention to the Division of Wildlife Resources' latest cougar hunting proposals, which will be in effect for the next three years. "Keeping the hunting rules and permit numbers consistent will give our efforts to manage cougars more time to work," said Kevin Bunnell, mammals coordinator for the DWR. "And that will result in future recommendations that will be best for the cougars and for the animals the cougars prey on."

Utah's cougar management plan was updated in 2009. This is the first season cougars will be managed under the new plan.

In addition to keeping the number of hunting permits consistent for three years, the plan gives biologists more direction on how to manage cougars on units that have bighorn sheep. It also provides more direction on how to manage cougars on units where the number of mule deer — the main animal cougars prey on — is still under the goal specified in unit management plans.

For the 2010-11 season, biologists are recommending a slight increase in the number of cougars hunters can take. They estimate raising the number by about eight percent will result in hunters taking an average of about 325 cougars each season for the next three seasons. Over the past three seasons, hunters took an average of 300 cougars each season.

The Utah Wildlife Board will meet in Salt Lake City on Aug. 19 to approve cougar hunting rules for the next three seasons.

Hunters may offer their input at a series of Regional Advisory Council meetings which will be held throughout the state during the next two weeks.

Hunters may can also provide their comments to their RAC via e-mail. Meeting schedules and e-mail addresses for each RAC member are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings.

BACKPACKING, BIKING BASICS

Two free presentations are being offered Thursday evening at the Salt Lake City and Sandy City REI stores.

At the Salt Lake City store, 3285 E. 3300 South, a presentation on backpacking basics will be offered Thursday night at 7. This show-and-tell session will take the mystery out of backpacking. The basics of backpacking gear, including how to choose the right pack and select the proper clothing and footwear to keep you comfortable, will be covered. No previous backpacking experience is necessary.