Outdoor notes

BIG GAME GUIDEBOOK

Everything hunters need to know about applying for a 2010 Utah big game hunting permit is available in the 2010 Utah Big Game Guidebook.

The guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks. Hunters can also pick up a copy at the Division of Wildlife Resources offices and at sporting goods stores across the state.

The DWR will accept applications for 2010 big game hunting permits starting Feb. 1.

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

THAT'S A BIG FISH STORY

Ever wondered what you'd do if you caught a fish that was a state record? How would you get it certified?

In the past, the procedure to get a record fish certified was somewhat vague, but not anymore.

To help anglers, biologists with the Division of Wildlife Resources have spelled out the requirements on new record fish application forms. The forms became available on Jan. 1.

The forms and requirements are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/record-fish.html.

"In addition to explaining the rules better, we also dropped six fish from the list," said Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the DWR.

Three nongame fish — Utah chub, Utah sucker and white sucker — are among the six fish that have been dropped from the list. Two hybrid trout species that the DWR hasn't produced in its hatcheries for years — brownbow and brake — have also been dropped. And albino rainbow trout, which now fall under the general rainbow trout category, have also been dropped from the list.

"Most states don't keep records for nongame fish," Cushing says. "We decided to drop nongame fish from Utah's list, too."

Endangered June suckers were another reason to drop suckers from the list.

"Many anglers have a difficult time telling the different sucker species apart," Cushing says. "Removing suckers from the list should reduce the chance that an angler catches an endangered June sucker and then keeps the fish, not realizing he or she has a fish that's listed on the federal Endangered Species list."

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

'CISCO DISCO' AT BEAR LAKE