Outdoor notes

VISIT NATURE CENTER TODAY

FARMINGTON — The Great Salt Lake Nature Center will offer free nature workshops, tours and activities today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors can investigate animal tracks and the places animals live, and identify creepy, crawly bugs. They can also make crafts or go on tours to see birds.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian. Since the weather is expected to be cold, visitors should dress warmly. Hot cider and coffee will also be available.

The Great Salt Lake Nature Center is part of the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. The WMA is just west of Farmington.

For directions to the site or for more information, visit www.greatsaltlakenaturecenter.org or call Parsons-Bernstein at 801-589-2373.

SPRAY FOR MOSQUITOES

As you gather your equipment for the opening of Utah's waterfowl hunt Saturday, don't forget to toss in some mosquito spray that has DEET in it.

Even though the number of people who have been infected with West Nile virus is small, the threat you might contract the virus still exists.

"There are still WNV-carrying mosquitoes around," said Jodee Summers, epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health. "This type of mosquito is a prominent biter of people who spend time in marshy areas."

You can protect yourself by spraying your skin with a mosquito repellant that contains DEET or picaridin. And make sure you wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants.

For more information, visit www.health.utah.gov.

ELK PERMITS STILL AVAILABLE

Even though permits to hunt with a rifle on any-bull elk units sold out on Sept. 28, you can still get a permit to hunt bull elk in Utah.

The archery hunt on Utah's three extended archery areas is under way. The hunt continues into December. Extended archery areas are located along parts of the Wasatch Front, in parts of the Uintah Basin and in the Sanpete Valley. The number of general archery elk permits the Division of Wildlife Resources can sell isn't limited, so there's never a problem getting one.

For more information, go to page 32 of the 2009 Utah Big Game Guidebook, available at wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks and at DWR offices or hunting license agents across the state. Or call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at 801-537-4700.