Outdoor notes

ARCHERY HUNT INPUT SOUGHT

The Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing that general archery deer hunters be allowed to hunt anywhere in Utah that's open to general-season hunting next year.

In 2009, archery hunters had to choose one region to hunt in during the first two weeks of the hunt. After the first two weeks, they could hunt anywhere in Utah that was open to general-season hunting.

All of the DWR's recommendations for Utah's 2010 big game seasons are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov_public_meetings.

Once those interested have read the proposals, they can share their thoughts and ideas one of two ways:

Five Regional Advisory Council meetings will be held across Utah. Citizens representing the councils will take the input received at the meetings to the Utah Wildlife Board. Board members will use the input to help them set rules for Utah's 2010 big-game hunts. They'll set those rules at their Dec. 3 meeting in Salt Lake City.

Outdoorsmen can participate and provide their input at any of the following meetings:

Southern Region — Tuesday, Nov. 3, 5 p.m., Richfield High School, 510 W. 100 South, Richfield.

Southeastern Region — Wednesday, Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m., John Wesley Powell Museum, 1765 E. Main, Green River.

Northeastern Region — Thursday, Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m., Western Park, Room No. 1, 302 E. 200 South, Vernal.

Northern Region — Tuesday, Nov. 10, 6 p.m., Brigham City Community Center, 24 N. 300 West, Brigham City.

Central Region — Thursday, Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m., Springville Junior High, 165 S. 700 East, Springville.

DEER, ELK HUNT PROPOSALS

The time of year when hunters can hunt deer and elk in Utah might change in 2011.

The Division of Wildlife Resources has come up with some ideas that wouldn't be implemented until the 2011 hunts. But the changes are significant enough that the DWR wants to get the ideas out now so there's

plenty of time for hunters to comment.

Rules for the 2011 hunts will not be approved until November 2010.

"The ideas we've come up with would give hunters some new options," says Anis Aoude, big-game coordinator for the DWR.

Hunters can learn more about the DWR's ideas — and provide their own input and suggestions — at five Regional Advisory Council meetings to be held across the state.

The meeting schedule follows the same dates and times listed above in the archery hunt item.

SPORTSMAN PERMITS AVAILABLE

Applications for next year's most prized Utah hunting permits — 2010 sportsman permits — will be available by Nov. 2.

Only Utah residents may apply for sportsman permits. One sportsman permit is offered for each of the following species: Desert bighorn ram, Rocky Mountain bighorn ram, buck deer, buck pronghorn, bull elk, bull