Outdoor notes

Deer hunt shortened

For most hunters, Utah's most popular hunt — the general rifle buck deer hunt — will be shorter in 2010.

By a 4-to-2 vote, the Utah Wildlife Board approved a recommendation to shorten Utah's general rifle buck deer hunt from nine days to five days for hunters who are 19 years of age or older on Aug. 21. (Aug. 21 is the first day of the state's 2010 general archery buck deer hunt.) Hunters who are 18 years of age or younger on Aug. 21 can hunt for nine days.

The following are the dates the board approved:

19 years of age or older: Oct. 23-27.

18 years of age or younger: Oct. 23-31.

Also, on five units where buck-to-doe ratios are lower than 15 bucks per 100 does — the Cache; Ogden; Oquirrh-Stansbury; South Slope, Vernal; and Monroe units — the rifle hunt will run for three days: Oct. 23-25.

The board did approve a DWR proposal to allow general archery hunters to hunt across the state during the entire general archery season in 2010.

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700.

Passes make great gifts

Looking for a special holiday gift?

Give the gift of the great outdoors this holiday season with a Utah State Parks annual pass.

Passes for the 2010 season are now available. Permits sell for $75. Utah residents 62 years and older may purchase a Senior Adventure Pass for $35, which offers the same benefits as the annual pass.

Passes allow the cardholder and up to seven guests in the same vehicle day-use access to most state parks. Passes are honored at all state parks except This Is the Place Heritage Park. Passes do not cover the Davis County causeway fee at Antelope Island State Park and are good for one rider/machine only at Jordan River Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area.

Annual park passes are for day-use entrance fees and provide a $2 discount off overnight camping. Passes may be purchased at any state park, region office, online at stateparks.utah.gov and at the Utah State Parks Administrative Office located at 1594 W. North Temple in Salt Lake City.

For more information, please call 801-538-7220 or 877-UT-PARKS.