MORE TURKEY PERMITS

Hunters will have a better chance at drawing a wild turkey hunting permit for this spring's hunts.

The Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing 13,761 public hunting permits for Utah's 2009 hunts, which is 81 percent increase more than the 7,706 permits available in 2008.

"Sportsmen have told us that they'd like more opportunities to hunt wild turkeys," said Dave Olsen, upland game coordinator for the DWR.

All of the DWR's turkey hunting proposals are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_

meetings. Once they've been reviewed, hunters can share their thoughts and ideas one of two ways:

• At one of the five Regional Advisory Council meetings will be held across Utah.

• Or by e-mail to www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings.

For more information about the meetings, call the nearest DWR office or the Salt Lake office at 801-538-4700.

SKI JUMPERS PICKED

Seven jumpers, all from Park City, including team veterans Lindsey Van, Jessica Jerome and Avery Ardovino, have been named to the 2009 U.S. Women's Ski Jumping Team.

The 2009 roster features the return of all team members from last season with one addition, Sarah Hendrickson, 13, the youngest person ever named to the U.S. Ski Team in a Nordic sport. Also named was Brenna Ellis.

Freestyle aerialist Rachel Pack of Park City was the youngest athlete to be named to the U.S. Ski Team in any sport. She was 12 years old when selected for the squad.

Twelve men, including Billy Demong of New York, who finished third in the 2008 World Cup standings, and 2003 world champion Johnny Spillane of Colorado have been named to the 2009 U.S. Nordic Combined Team.

Twins Eric and Brett Camerota of Park City were named to the team.

Also named was Skyler Keate of Salt Lake City.

The 2009 FIS Nordic Combined World Cup season opens in Kuusamo, Finland, in late November.

POWELL FISHING HOT

The best fishing at Lake Powell right now is the inflow area around Hite and in the upper San Juan. Stripers are boiling midday from Hite to the Horn. It is possible to catch 50-100 fish per day — all on topwater lures. That is awesome fishing in anyone's book. Average size is 15 inches, and fish are strong and acrobatic.