Outdoor notes

DEER POACHERS SOUGHT

BOOK CLIFFS — Seven deer were recently poached in the Book Cliffs in eastern Utah.

Now officers with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are asking for the public's help to find those responsible.

Bryan Clyde, a conservation officer with the UDWR, says a gut pile was found recently about 65 yards up the hill from the bottom of Bitter Creek Canyon.

Clyde says the animal the pile belonged to was killed on or before Nov. 23. He says a cow elk hunt was taking place in the area when the animal was killed. But the size of the gut pile and other evidence indicates the animal the poachers killed wasn't an elk.

"This was a deer — taken illegally — as the deer season is closed in this area," Clyde said.

In addition, six other deer have been shot and left to rot in the Book Cliffs.

Anyone with information about these cases should contact Clyde at 435-790-4630 or UDWR officer Clint Sampson at 435-790-2206.

HARDWARE RANCH ELK

HYRUM — Sleigh rides that will get viewers close to as many as 600 wild elk are available four days a week at the Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area, located 115 miles north of Salt Lake City, 17 miles east of Hyrum and 22 miles southeast of Logan.

On Nov. 23, about 200 elk were at the WMA. Now that winter weather has arrived, more elk should be visiting the ranch soon. The ranch's winter elk viewing season begins Friday.

The sleigh rides last 20-30 minutes, winding through the center of the elk herd and making occasional stops so viewers can get a photograph.

In addition to the sleigh rides, the Hardware Ranch WMA also operates a visitor center. The center has interactive wildlife displays and staff who can answer questions. The WMA's winter season should run until Feb. 28.

The sleigh rides and visitor center are available the following days and times: Friday, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Monday, noon to 5 p.m. Sleigh ride tickets must be purchased at the visitor center before 4:30 p.m., when the last sleigh ride leaves.

The WMA will be closed on Dec. 25.

Sleigh rides cost $5 for those 9 years of age and older, and $3 for those 4 to 8 years old. Children 3 years of age and younger ride for free.