Outdoor notes

BIG GAME HUNTING PERMITS

SALT LAKE CITY — Beginning Feb. 1, hunters may apply for a permit to hunt big game animals in 2010.

"Big game hunting in Utah is very popular with people across the country," said Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "We expect to receive almost 300,000 applications this year."

Applications will be available at www.wildlife.utah.gov beginning Feb. 1. Applications must be received through the Web site no later than 11 p.m. on March 1 to be entered in the drawing for permits.

Those who have questions or need help completing their application may call any DWR office before 6 p.m. on March 1.

Results of the 2010 Utah Big Game Draw will be available by April 29.

Those who are not going to hunt in 2010 can still apply for a bonus point or a preference point. These points increase the chance that they'll draw a permit the next time they apply. Applications for a point open on Feb. 1 and must be received through www.wildlife.utah.gov no later than 11 p.m. on March 8.

A hunting license or a combination license is required to apply for a point or a hunting permit.

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

BISON HAVE A NEW HOME

BULLFROG — Forty bison now have a new home in northeastern Utah.

The Division of Wildlife Resources captured the bison on Jan. 15 and 16 on the Henry Mountains in southeastern Utah.

A free-ranging herd of bison occupies 240 square miles of open country on the northwest side of Lake Powell.

The bison that were captured on the Henry Mountains will join about 50 bison that already occupy the Book Cliffs in east-central Utah. This herd was established in 2008-09 with 14 animals donated from the Ute Tribe and an additional 30 bison coming from the Henry Mountains. Calves have been born since then, which has added even more animals to the herd.

The 40 bison were originally scheduled to be released in the Book Cliffs on Wednesday. However, due to snowy conditions and a forecast that calls for more snow in the area throughout the week, the DWR will release the bison in the Book Cliffs next Monday.