LABOR DAY WEEKEND AT UTAH'S STATE PARKS

Salt Lake - Utah State Park managers anticipate full campgrounds, and busy waterways and trails this Labor Day Weekend. Whether you're camping, boating, biking, or riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs), park rangers encourage visitors to be prepared for a safe holiday weekend.

Please follow these safety tips:
- Wear your lifejacket
- Youth 12 to 17 must complete and pass a personal watercraft education (PWC) Course before operating a PWC on their own
- Youth eight to 15 must complete and pass the Know Before You Go! Course before operating OHVs on public lands
- Always wear a safety-rated and properly fitted helmet, goggles, clothes which cover arms and legs, and over-the-ankle boots
- Ride your OHV only in areas designated for their use - Protect your privilege, stay on the trail
- Build fires in designated fire pits and extinguish thoroughly

The following parks have campsites available, and reservations may be made up to two days before your arrival: Antelope Island, Escalante, Green River, Kodachrome, Red Fleet, Scofield, Snow Canyon, Steinaker, and beach sites at Yuba state park. To make a reservation or for more information, please call 322-3770 from within the Salt Lake calling area and (800) 322-3770 from outside the area.

Going boating this weekend? Below are the current boating conditions:
Bear Lake State Park Marina OPEN - 74 degrees
Deer Creek State Park OPEN - 72 degrees
East Canyon State Park OPEN - 70 degrees
Wide Hollow at Escalante State Park OPEN - 70 degrees
Great Salt Lake State Marina OPEN - 80 degrees
Gunlock State Park OPEN - 79 degrees
Huntington State Park OPEN - 70 degrees
Hyrum State Park OPEN - 80 degrees
Jordanelle State Park: Hailstone Boat Ramps and Rock Cliff Ramp OPEN - 68 degrees
Millsite State Park OPEN - 68 degrees
Otter Creek State Park OPEN - 72 degrees
Palisade State Park OPEN - 64 degrees
Piute State Park OPEN - 74 degrees
Quail Creek State Park OPEN - 79 degrees
Red Fleet State Park OPEN - 71 degrees
Rockport State Park OPEN - 72 degrees
Sand Hollow State Park OPEN - 80 degrees
Scofield State Park OPEN - 69 degrees
Starvation State Park OPEN - 72 degrees
Steinaker State Park OPEN - 71 degrees
Utah Lake State Park OPEN - 74 degrees
Willard Bay State Park OPEN - 75 degrees
Yuba State Park OPEN - 72 degrees
Strawberry Reservoir OPEN - 69 degrees
Flaming Gorge OPEN - 68 degrees

Not camping overnight? Consider a day trip for special holiday weekend events:
September 2 Rock Cliff Nature Center/ Jordanelle State Park - Francis
Junior Ranger Program: Preparing for winter - Children ages six to 10 are invited to this program from 11 a.m. to noon at the Nature Center to learn how animals get ready for winter. Children earn a badge and certificate. For more information, please call (435) 782-3030.

September 2 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Junior Ranger Program: The Un-huggables - Porcupines, Skunks and Raccoons. If you are between the age of six and 12 you can become a Junior Ranger by joining the naturalist for this one-hour program designed to get kids excited about nature! Program begins at 1 p.m. at Huber Grove. For more information call (435) 654-1791.

September 2 Iron Mission State Park Museum - Cedar City
Pioneer Tools Workshop: Uses and Repairs - Join park staff from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $3 per person and space is limited. For more information, please call (435) 586-9290.

September 2 Jordanelle State Park / Hailstone Recreation Area - Heber
Campfire Program: In Cahoots - Get out your cowboy boots and hat, and join park staff for singing and cowboy poetry. Program begins at 7 p.m. at the amphitheater. For more information, please call (435) 782-3030.

September 2 - 4 Antelope Island State Park - Syracuse
Labor Day Weekend Celebration: Dip candles, make a pioneer lantern, and play pioneer games such as farm ball. Participants should bring an empty vegetable or soup can to make their own pioneer lantern. Activities are held throughout the day. Join us Saturday, September 2 for a Junior Ranger Program at 2 p.m. Though this informative Junior Ranger program is geared for those six to 12, everyone is welcome. For more information, please call (801) 649-5742.

SCI Awards North American Hunts



SCI is partnering with Cabela's Outfitters for the North American Big Game Contest running now until January 10, 2007.



Hunters can submit entries from five categories of free ranging animals including Whitetail, Elk, Pronghorn, North American Native Sheep, and Mule Deer, with the two hunter categories of Hunter, 18 years of age and over, and Junior Hunter, for those between 13 and 18 years of age.

After submitting the correct entry form and the processing fee of $55, trophies will be registered in the SCI Record Book, and the hunter will receive six issues of the Safari Magazine, 12 issues of the Safari Times, and one issue of the Annual Conservation Awards Issue.



Entrants will also be eligible to win one of several great prizes, including a gift card to Cabela's for up to $750, and SCI Truck Hitch Cover valued at $100, or an SCI Field Scoring Kit worth $75.



Submissions can be measured at scoring events SCI is holding at four Cabela's locations in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, Hamburg, Pennsylvania and Kansas City, Kansas, with dates to be announced on the SCI website.



If hunters can not get to these locations, they can have their mounts measured by an SCI certified measurer as referred by a Cabela's employee, who can look up lists of SCI certified measurers available in the area.



Winners will be announced in the Cabela's Outdoor Journal and catalogue, on Cabela's website, and at spring expos at Cabela's locations in the same geographic range as the winners.

Hunters with trophies to be considered can contact their local Cabela's for SCI certified measurers and go on the SCI website for the proper entry forms at http://www.safariclub.org or http://www.cabelas.com or call 520-620-1220 ext. 265.

SCI-First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI's 173 Chapters represent all 50 United States as well as 13 other countries. SCI's proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit http://www.safariclub.org or call 520-620-1220 for more information.

SCI's record-breaking 34th Annual Hunters' Convention hosted more than 19,700 sportsmen from 50 countries around the world. Thanks to over 1,100 top exhibitors helping hunters realize dreams around the globe, the Convention raised $11.8 million for SCI and the SCI Foundation. To register to attend SCI's 35th Annual Hunters' Convention, in Reno Jan. 24th - 27th, 2007, call 888-746-9724 toll-free or visit http://www.safariclub.org .

UTAH STATE PARKS ANNOUNCES ONLINE GOLF TEE TIME RESERVATIONS

Heber -- Utah State Parks now offers online tee time reservations at Wasatch Mountain, Soldier Hollow, and Palisade golf courses. Access to this service is available by visiting http://www.stateparkgolf.utah.gov . Electronic tee sheets for these golf facilities are also available.

Reserve tee times for up to eight golfers, eight days in advance, beginning at 9 p.m. Telephone reservations are accepted up to seven days in advance May 1 to September 30 beginning at 6:15 a.m. Two tee times are allowed per call.

Experience the award-winning Lake and Mountain courses at Wasatch Mountain, consistently rated by Golf Digest as Best Places to Play. The Silver and Gold courses at Soldier Hollow were named by Golf Digest as a Best New Public Courses in 2005 and site of the 2006 State Amateur. Palisade State Park Golf Course is one of the best-kept golf secrets with a signature par-three. Green River State Park Golf Course, located on the banks of the Green River, provides a challenging nine-hole course, pro shop, campground, and will offer online reservations soon.

CHEETAH CHA CHA AT HOGLE ZOO

Helping to save the endangered cheetah is as simple as visiting Utah's Hogle Zoo. The 9th Annual Cheetah Cha-Cha will be held Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2006 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

This annual benefit for cheetah conservation guarantees a fun time for the whole family. Enjoy storytelling, games and crafts, have your face painted, or have fun at the dunk tank. There will be music through out the day for guests to enjoy. Performances will include:

DJ's- Nick Larkin and Travis Sanders

B.D Howes
Tom Stetich and Frank Jarvis of the Avenues Jazz Trio
Kevin Joiner

Distant Thunder

The event, sponsored by the Utah Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK), helps to raise awareness of the endangered cheetah and their challenges to survive in the wild.

The event is free with Zoo admission, although there will be a nominal fee for games, activities and cheetah merchandise. All proceeds benefit the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Namibia and Kenya, Africa.

The CCF researches and implements strategies for cheetah conservation in its natural habitat. According to the CCF, "the cheetah has suffered from inbreeding, high infant mortality, loss of habitat, a reduction in its prey base, conflicts with livestock farming, and a reduced ability to survive in parks and reserves due to the presence of larger predators." The number of wild cheetahs has diminished from 100,000 at the end of the 19th century to only 12,500 today. Additionally CCF states, "Despite all these problems, the cheetah is the oldest of the big cats and has survived the longest. If we can provide a habitat and a rich prey base for cheetahs on the livestock farmlands of southern Africa, the cheetah's race will be one of survival, not extinction." More information about CCF and cheetahs is available at http://www.cheetah.org .

Utah's Hogle Zoo and the Utah Chapter of AAZK are involved with conservation efforts throughout the world. In addition to providing support to CCF, the Zoo hosts a fundraiser for rhino conservation, which is one of the top four fundraisers in the country for rhino conservation. Hogle Zoo has also sent staff to assist with the rescue effort of oil soaked penguins in South Africa, as well as sending staff to Panama to help save amphibians threatened by a deadly fungus.

Admission to Utah's Hogle Zoo is $8 for adults (age 13-64) and $6 for children (age 3-12) and seniors. Children 2 and younger are free. Zoo hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.

UPCOMING UTAH STATE PARKS EVENTS

September 7 - 9 Utah Trails and Pathways Conference - Ogden
Join Ogden City, Weber Pathways, the Ogden Trails Network, and the Weber-Morgan Health Department for the 2006 Utah Trails and Pathways Conference in Ogden. Topics of discussion will include pathways for active people, walkable communities, trail safety, promoting trails, trail building and maintenance, ski trail grooming, and preparing successful grant applications. A hands-on session will be held on a local mountain trail.
For more information, visit http://www.utahtrailsconference.com or call (801) 629-8558.

September 8 - 9 Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn State Park and Museum - Fairfield

Johnston's Army Adventure Camp: Travel back in time to 1861 and enter the world of a soldier at Camp Floyd. Participants experience authentic and unique hands-on adventures. This is an overnight experience in period tents. For more information, please call (801) 768-8932.

September 9 Iron Mission State Park Museum - Cedar City
Museum Preservation Day: Learn how to preserve family heirlooms and artifacts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Utah Office of Museum Services. For more information, please call (435) 586-9290.

September 9 Palisade State Park - Syracuse
Men's Club Championship: Event is for association members only and begins at 9 a.m. Course is open to the public after 12:30 p.m. For registration or tee times, call (435) 835-4653.

September 9 Sand Hollow State Park - Hurricane
Wakeboard competition on the south shore beginning at 9 a.m. For more information, please call (435) 680-0715.

September 9 and 16 Snow Canyon State Park - Ivins
Join park staff from 9 to 11 a.m., for a volunteer work party and experience how you can make a difference in the park by helping to stamp out non-native tamarisk. Work alongside other interested volunteers, learn to identify some of our area plants, and enjoy free drinks and snacks. For more information, please call (435) 628-2255.

September 9 - 10 Starvation State Park - Duchesne
Park staff host the annual Walleye Classic fishing tournament. For more information, please call (435) 738-2326.

September 15 Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum - Vernal
Bedtime Stories: As part of Vernal's Indian Summer Storytelling Festival, join park staff at 6 p.m., for this family event. Local storytellers include Willy Claflin with Mainard Moose, Judith Huber, Mary Beth Bennis-Smith, and Kathy Farnsworth. Cost is $3 per person. For more information, please call (435) 789-3799.

September 15 to December 30 Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum - Blanding
Quilt Exhibit: Enjoy the wonderful quilting tradition of San Juan County. For more information, please call (435) 678-2238.

September 16 Palisade State Park - Sterling
Palisade Golf Course sponsors a two-person modified scramble tournament. Pre-registration is required for the 9 a.m. shotgun start. Course is open to the public as tee times are available. For registration or tee times, call (435) 835-4653.

September 16 Iron Mission State Park Museum - Cedar City
Gardening Workshop: Produce preservation and storage from 9 a.m. to noon. Space is limited and registration is required. Cost is $3 per person. For more information, please call (435) 586-9290.

Mill Creek Canyon Road Closes for Improvements

SALT LAKE CITY, August 25, 2006 - Mill Creek Canyon Road will close on Aug. 30 and Sept. 5-6 so that Forest Service construction crews can restripe and apply slurry seal to the road. The late season dates were selected in order to minimize the impact on visitors while still providing the warm conditions necessary for the slurry seal to set.

On Wednesday, Aug. 30, the road will close from 6 a.m. and reopen at 12 p.m. just before the Upper and Lower Big Water parking lots and trailheads.

On Tuesday, Sept 5, the road will close at 6 a.m. at the Maple Grove parking area and reopen at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6. The Maple Grove parking lot will be closed during this time.

Once applied, the slurry seal needs several hours to dry and cure. No traffic whatsoever, including hikers and bikers, will be allowed on the closed portions of the road at anytime during the closure periods.

For more information, the public should call the Wasatch-Cache Public Information Desk at 801-236-3400.



UTAH WINTER GAMES BRINGS GRAFF PUBLIC RELATIONS, LLC ON BOARD

Park City, UT (August 28, 2006) -- The Utah Winter Games has chosen Graff Public Relations, LLC to handle their communications and media functions. The company is owned by Christa Graff, a life-long ski industry insider.

Graff served for 9 years as the Communications Manager of the Deer Valley Resort and was a key player in the shaping of the resort which has twice been voted the number one resort in America by the readers of SKI magazine. She left Deer Valley to found her own public relations firm. While at Deer Valley, Graff oversaw media relations for the Olympics, the Freestyle World Championships, five Freestyle World Cup ski events, and the National Off-Road Bicycling Association. In February, she covered the media duties at the Park City headquartered U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, while the rest of the staff were in Torino for the Olympics. Graff has also chaired the Ski Utah Public Relations Committee and the Park City Chamber Bureau Communications Committee. Graff Public Relations, LLC currently represents a number of clients including Deer Valley Resort, Marker Ltd., Talisker Deer Valley, and Flashpoint.

The Utah Winter Games are the oldest and biggest amateur winter sports event in the country. They continue the legacy of 2002 in Utah by making it possible for large numbers of people of all skill levels to have a wonderful time with winter sports.

In the 2005-2006 20th anniversary season, more than three thousand people took part in 20 competitions in 15 sports and 32 instructional clinics. With the help of principal sponsor KSL, this coming season's Games will be significantly larger with more sports at more venues for more people.

The Utah Winter Games: All Ages, All Abilities, Always Fun.

For more information on Graff Public Relations, LLC and the Utah Winter Games, please contact Christa Graff at 435-640-7921 or christa@graffpr.com or visit the Utah Winter Games web site at http://www.utahwintergames.org .

Tri-Tronics Announces Major Innovations for Hunters and Professional Dog Trainers



Tucson, AZ (August, 2006)- Tri-Tronics, the industry standard in electronic dog training equipment, is pleased to announce the introduction of the Sport G3™ Series.

"It was simple. We've listened to our customers," said Mike Romano, General Manager of Tri-Tronics. "After conducting extensive market research, we decided to incorporate new innovations into our Sport® Series e-collars. Our surveys indicated that pro trainers and hunters want an e-collar that is field Expandable and has multi-dog capability. They also desired a more ergo-friendly, waterproof transmitter, a battery-life indicator, with more stimulation levels, and a shorter antenna. G3™ is the answer."

Field Expandable means that the settings on a transmitter allow the user to add more collars to their existing system. This new feature gives the Tri-Tronics customer flexibility at the time of purchase. They can purchase a one-dog training system that can be expanded as their dog training needs grow.

The new Sport G3™ Series line will now feature three products: the Sport Basic G3™, the Sport Upland G3™, and the Sport Combo G3™. The simplicity of the Sport Basic G3™ makes it the ideal choice for beginners. The Sport Upland G3™ (remote beeper and training collar combo) was designed to meet the needs of wingshooters. The Sport Combo G3™, intended for advanced dog trainers, offers 20 levels of both continuous and momentary stimulation. "The best part is that our engineers have designed a new product line that will offer our customers more value for their money," said Romano.

Additionally, Tri-Tronics' current G2™ Pro and Field Series product lines will now feature G2 EXP™ models. The new G2 EXP™ units are also field expandable. Tri-Tronics customers will no longer face the tough decision on whether to purchase a 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, or 6-dog system. The flexibility of the G2 EXP™ allows hunters and dog trainers to increase the capacity of their system as their training needs grow.

Tri-Tronics, Inc. manufactures a full line of electronic dog training equipment. Tri-Tronics training collars are backed by a 30-day money-back, 2-year warranty. All products are made in the USA.



Kill the Phragmites Program outlined



Brandon, our pilot from Spanish Fork Flying Services, has arranged to fly out of the Brigham City Airport. Take the Corrine exit of I-15, go east past Brigham Implement and north to hangers past plastic garbage can place and buses.

We will meet Brandon on Sunday, August 27th, at 2:00 pm or for you military type 1400 hours.

We are off loading the chemicals where Brandon instructs us to and may leave the chemicals on my trailer for the moment on site.

We will unload Val's' lowboy and my 1-ton, about 6 pallets worth. I don't think we will need the tractor and all that stuff, Rich?

Brandon plans to begin aerial application at Harold Crane on Monday, 28th, and work south.

Brandon indicated he may be able to do 300-500 acres per day. It all depends on weather and equipment.

AND we all know about both of these aspects. SO plan accordingly. Being flexible and able to quickly adjust is a good thing.

Tentative schedule is:

Monday, 28th, Harold Crane, 300 acres

Tuesday and Wednesday, 29th and 30th, Ogden Bay and Howard Slough, 700 + 200 acres

Thursday, 31st, NO FLY DAY, airport is closed

Friday, 1st, finish Howard Slough if necessary and do Farmington Bay, 400 acres

Saturday probably do Nature Conservancy, Chris Brown's project, Layton-Kaysville, 300 acres.

All acres are estimates only. Brandon will do the best he can to keep us within our planned targets.


LABOR DAY TRAVEL STABILIZING

AAA Predicts Over 300,000 Utahns to Take to Roads and Skies



SALT LAKE CITY, August 28, 2006 - As the summer travel season comes to a close, Labor Day travelers will face continued steep gas prices and a higher level of airport security. According to AAA Utah, just over 300,000 Utahns are expected to travel this upcoming holiday weekend, an increase of less than 1 percent from last year.

"The number of Utahns traveling this holiday seems to be slowing down, possibly as a result of higher gas prices and the increasing number of schools starting before Labor Day," explained AAA Utah spokesperson Rolayne Fairclough.

AAA estimates that over 248,000 Utahns will travel by motor vehicle, a 1.1 percent increase from last year, representing about 80 percent of all travelers. Air travel is expected to decline by 2.1 percent, with over 50,000 Utahns taking to the skies. Over 14,000 state residents are projected to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation. That represents a 6 percent decrease from last year.

Nationally, 34.8 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this three-day weekend, a 1.2 percent increase over last year.

In addition to higher gas prices, AAA Travel is seeing other vacation costs increase as well. Hotel rates are up by 5 percent and car rental rates have skyrocketed, increasing by an average 14 percent over last year's prices.

'To help ease the pain of holiday travel, it is important to shop around to find the best value for your money, not only in gas prices, but in hotel costs and airfares," said Fairclough. "And if you are traveling by air, you will be facing new and stricter regulations that might cause confusion. Make sure to inform yourself of the new changes before flying to avoid unnecessary stress."

As a result of the latest concerns over potential terrorism, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has changed security screening procedures at all U.S. airports. The following are new policies that apply to all flights departing from U.S. airports or arriving in the United States.

Air Travel Tips You Need to Know

· Liquids and gels: Make sure to pack them in your checked luggage. They are no longer permitted past the screening checkpoint or on board with a few exceptions.

· Prescription drugs: Only small doses of liquid medications with a name that matches the passenger's ticket will be permitted. (Up to 5 oz will be allowed.)

Beverages: Sodas and water bottles are prohibited in carry-on bags or purses. Beverages purchased in boarding area beyond screening checkpoint will not be allowed on board.

· Baby formula and breast milk: These items will be allowed on board but only small amounts and will only be allowed in carry-on bags of an adult traveling with a baby or toddler. Canned, jarred, or processed baby food is permitted in carry-on luggage and on board.

· Electronic devices: Laptop computers, cell phones, music players and other portable electronic devices are allowed on board, but will be screened at security checkpoints.

· Cosmetic items: Some solid or powdered cosmetic items are permitted at the discretion of the Security Officer. To minimize delays, pack all items such as toothpaste, shampoo, perfume, suntan lotion and all other items with similar consistency in your checked luggage. Tubes of lip balm or lipstick are allowed in your carry-on, but only if they are in solid form. Lip gels such as Blistex or Carmex and liquid lip gloss are not allowed in the passenger area of the plane and need to be placed in your checked luggage.

· Metal items: Make sure to pack your jewelry and any other metals that will set off alarms in your carry-on luggage.

International flights: Flights originating in the UK have their own local policies regarding carry-on baggage which tend to be more stringent that U.S. policies. Check with your air carrier for additional details on United Kingdom requirements.

One way consumers can reduce the amount of money they spend while traveling is to shop aggressively for the lowest price for gasoline. AAA Utah has a tool that can help. Located online at http://www.aaa.com/gasprices , the AAA Fuel Finder has real time information on gas prices at more than 85,000 gas stations throughout the United States.

Research for Labor Day travel is based on a national telephone survey of 1,600 adults by the Travel Industry Association of America, which conducts special research for AAA. AAA Travel is the nation's largest full-service leisure travel agency. AAA Travel offers trips, cruises, tours and vacation packages throughout the world.

AAA Utah offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance and financial services to more than 150,000 members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago



Lake Powell Fishing Report

August 30, 2006 By Wayne Gustaveson
Lake Elevation: 3604 Water Temp: 80-84 F

The warm cap that has held most fish in deep water is starting to falter. Surface temperature has dipped into the 70's allowing some fish to come shallower. Bass and small stripers are becoming more active in the surface layers. Bass that were confined to the 25 foot strata may now be found near the surface. Shad that were hiding in warm shallow water now find more predators invading their sanctuary.

September is topwater time at Lake Powell. Most fish are now looking up to the surface for their next meal. Use topwater walking baits and poppers during the early morning and late evening to draw strikes from bass and stripers. There are not many types of fishing more exciting that tossing plugs to surface feeding fish.

Not all fish will be on top this Holiday weekend. The big stripers will still be 30-60 feet deep in the main channel throughout the lake. It will take another month before these fish can leave the depths and roam freely through the surface layers on their constant search for food. Young stripers are already shallow and these spunky fish up to 15 inches will be eager to feed on anything that resembles a small shad.

Shad are not abundant in most of the lake. When shad are absent, feeding stations then become the grass beds, tumbleweed piles and submerged tamarisk groves that offer shelter to sunfish which have become the primary forage. Lures that mimic sunfish behavior are more likely to be shallow running, suspending crank baits. Fish near the brush to increase fishing success where shad are absent. Those fish selectively eating crayfish are caught most often on plastic
tubes, grubs or senkos.

The best part is that all sport species are more abundant than normal. They all want to eat early and often. These hungry fish are easy to catch. Any favored species is now available for your fishing pleasure. The best spot is the upper San Juan arm where stripers are boiling and bass are prowling the shallows. The next best spot runs from Trachyte to Four Mile canyon where small stripers are boiling and bass fishing is excellent. The reminder of the lake is good to
excellent with adult stripers running deep in the channels. Young stripers are on top in isolated coves where shad are cornered. Bass are cooperative in the shallows on a variety of lures. Take your pick. Sunfish and catfish would love to eat live worms. Just give them a chance.

Warm days and cool nights make September the best Fall month for pure fishing enjoyment. Enjoy!



RAY WATKINS NAMED U.S. DISABLED ALPINE TEAM HEAD COACH

PARK CITY, Utah (Aug. 30) - Ray Watkins, a former club head coach who started in 1990 as a guide for blind Paralympic champion Brian Santos, and has filled just about every alpine coaching position since then, is the new alpine head coach of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team, Program Director Sandy Metzger said.

Watkins, 43, replaces Kevin Jardine, who resigned after three years as U.S. head coach after four seasons as World Cup coach, to work for Challenge Aspen's adaptive sports program.

"This was such an obvious call," Metzger said. "Ray's been part of the Ski Team in various ways for more than a decade and a half. He was more than a guide when he did that for Brian and then for a year with [ex-U.S. champion] Bobby McMullen, and he was more simply strength and conditioning coach when he joined the staff. He knows the athletes, they know and respect him, and it's a comfortable transition into the post-Paralympics season."

Watkins, who grew up in Eureka, Calif., and learned the ski at the old Shasta Ski Bowl, graduated from Chico State (CA) with a degree in resort management and planning & design, and earned his master's in exercise science at Idaho's Boise State. In the spring of 1990, he was director of the race program at Mount Shasta Ski Area when he became guide for Brian Santos, who had won two gold medals at the recent 1990 World Disabled Alpine Championships in Winter Park, Colo.; Santos won two more golds at the 1992 Paralympics, swept all four gold medals in '94 and retired after two silvers at the '96 Worlds.

He guided for Bobby McMullen for a year and joined the Ski Team coaching staff in 1997, hired by Head Coach Mike Brown.

"It doesn't matter what you do for this team because it's a great group of people to be around and a privilege to work with. We want to go forward and not look back," Watkins said, "creating an environment for every one of these people, the athletes and the staff as well. I hope four years from now we have the same staff still working together because that will have meant good continuity, good consistency, a stable environment where the athletes can do their best."

Watkins was married in June - wife Gwen headed the disabled program under Paul DiBello at Winter Park, Colo.; they live in Mount Shasta, Calif.



Letter from Loki

Hello,

You've probably been wondering what happened to all of my music newsletters. Well, I've been so busy that I couldn't maintain the site any longer. So, what was keeping me so busy? I'm gald you asked. I've been making a movie (with about a hundred other people).

The movie is called, "Believe", and is a satire about the multi-level-marketing industry. In short, if you don't like those
quasi-legal pyramid schemes like Amway then you're in luck. If you've ever been hit up for one or know someone in multi-level marketing then this is the film for you. Is it any good? Well, we've won multiple Audience Choice
Awards across the country so I guess it is.

We now have our website up and will be releasing the film this fall on a 20 city whistle stop tour throughout the country (If you live in Utah, it won't be in theaters here until Feb/Mar of '07). You can find us at http://www.believethemovie.com .

There's plenty of cool things to check out!

The movie soundtrack is only $9.99 (plus S&H). It's got 11 great songs (and if you've been waiting for some new recordings from me, I have 3new songs on the soundtrack).

Also, on the website, you can go to the "Join" page and sign-up for the Contest, Newsletter, and Grass Roots Team.

Don't forget to check out the talking MLM Doll!

Anyway, I hope all is well with you.

Sincerely,

Loki



Ski Areas Receive Face Lifts for 2006-07 Winter Season

Utah Resorts Enhance Their Offerings Following Another Record-Season

SALT LAKE CITY - In an effort to continue to attract more skiers and snowboarders and to enhance the experience of die-hard loyalists, Utah ski areas have some exciting improvements in the works for the 2006-07 winter season. Three consecutive record breaking seasons for skier days have afforded ski areas the capitol to continue adding new features. From new lifts to more terrain to North America's first ski area tunnel, Utah's ski resorts will welcome visitors with a host of fantastic new amenities.

Alta Ski Area

LODGE COMPLETION: This summer Alta completed the detailed finish work in the Watson Shelter, including hanging a selection of art reflecting the resort's past and present. Crews have re-vegetated the landscape surrounding the lodge.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Many of Alta's other projects include upgrades to its maintenance shop and improvements to the spring system at Alf's Restaurant. Both ski school sales offices were redecorated with art from renowned photographer Ray Adkinson.

The Canyons Resort

NEW LIFT ADDS MORE TERRAIN: The Canyons will expand its intermediate and advanced terrain with the opening of the new Dreamcatcher quad. This will add more than 200 acres of pristine glades and trails, maintaining The Canyons' status as one of the largest ski and snowboard resorts in the country.

TOMBSTONE LIFT UPGRADED: The Tombstone quad is being replaced with a 6-pack chairlift in order to alleviate any congestion problems and provide faster access to more of the resort.

Deer Valley Resort

NEW STERLING CHAIRLIFT: Replace the existing Sterling triple chairlift on Bald Mountain with a high-speed detachable quad.

LODGE ENHANCEMENT: Expand the Snow Park Lodge to include new bathrooms on the slope-side of the building as well as enhancements to the employee cafeteria.

EXPANDED GLADE TERRAIN: New glade skiing will be added off of the Sultan chairlift.

NEW SILVER STAR CHAIRLIFT: A new triple chair has been installed for the 2006-07 season that will provide guests with an additional way to access the mountain. It will also open up three new intermediate runs. The resort also retrofitted the gearboxes in all of its detachable chairlifts.

Park City Mountain Resort

EXPANDED SNOWMAKING: 14 new snowmaking guns have been installed to produce more snow in the pre and early seasons. The new guns not only allow the resort to open more terrain during the early season but they also allow the resort to produce snow more efficiently. These snowmaking guns will reduce the Resort's energy output this upcoming season by more than 1.2 million kilowatt hours, which is equal to not driving 2.5 million miles or planting 275,000 trees.

ADDITIONAL GROOMING EQUIPMENT: Three new snowcat machines have been purchased to enhance the resort's commitment to on-mountain grooming. The "Signature Runs," groomed advanced runs, provide the intermediate skier and rider the opportunity to access more of the mountain.

NEW TERRAIN PARK FEATURES: Named "Terrain Park of the Year" for two years in a row by Transworld Snowboarding magazine, Park City Mountain Resort will add new rails, funboxes and jumps to its four terrain parks. The resort receives input on the design of its parks from the Park City All Star team including Olympic gold medalist Shaun White and X-Games champion Tanner Hall.

Powder Mountain

NEW HIDDEN LAKE LIFT: After 30 years, the double chair lift at Hidden Lake will be replaced with a high speed detachable quad. Hidden Lake Express will follow the same path as its predecessor, but the travel time on the lift will be cut in half to approximately 8 minutes. The lift is 6000 feet in length and rises 1300 feet. The lift capacity will double to 2,400 persons per hour. The lift is manufactured in Salt Lake City by Doppelmayr CTEC.

Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort

NEW PERUVIAN EXPRESS QUAD: The Peruvian lift will be taken out and replaced with a new high-speed quad. While the base will stay near the original base shack, the top station will be located below the steepest Chip's Run pitch, an approximately 2,600-vertical-foot rise. This 8,000- linear-foot lift transports 1,800 people per hour, providing an eight-minute ride. Should wind conditions prevent Tram operation, this lift will allow for continued skier access to Peruvian Gulch and Mineral Basin. At the top of the lift, a 600-foot tunnel with a conveyor lift will provide access to Mineral Basin. This lift makes Snowbird's intermediate terrain more accessible to skiers and snowboarders.

NORTH AMERICA'S FIRST SKI AREA TUNNEL: The first of its kind in North America, Snowbird's new 600-foot tunnel houses a conveyor lift that will transport skiers and riders from Peruvian Gulch into Mineral Basin. Located at the top of the new Peruvian Express high-speed quad, the 12-foot high, 10-foot wide tunnel provides a four-minute ride to intermediate terrain in Mineral Basin. The new tunnel and lift makes intermediate terrain more accessible to skiers and riders by eliminating many switchbacks and the steepest pitch of Chip's Run. It also provides an efficient way to reach Hidden Peak without the use of the Tram.

SNOWBIRD SNOWCAM: Tracking the current storm is now as easy as looking online at Snowbird's new SnowCam. The SnowCam provides live shots of the current storm's snow accumulation. This features a snow measuring board sporting the Snowbird logo and a ruler with 4-, 8-, 12- and 16-inch gradations. It is mounted on a winch that allows it to be raised or lowered to the surface of the snow. The whole scene is lit so you'll be able to see the snow falling at any time of the day or night. Check it out at www.snowbird.com/snowcam.

CLIFF LODGE RENOVATIONS: Snowbird's flagship property, the Cliff Lodge just completed a $5.6 million renovation. Features include upgraded lodging rooms with new furnishings, flat screen televisions, bedding, bathroom tile, fixtures and artwork. In addition, the spa level rooms now offer Tempur-Pedic beds.

Solitude Mountain Resort

IMPROVED GROOMING: Solitude continues its mission to provide some of the best groomed terrain in Utah by purchasing another new snow cat for this season.

OFF PISTE: For off piste terrain enthusiasts, the Queen Bess area north of the Honeycomb lift will offer great powder skiing this winter.

Wolf Mountain

GENERAL UPGRADES: Clean up efforts are under underway for the physical plant to offer visiting families an affordable, enjoyable experience.

IMPROVEMENTS FOR BEGINNERS: Better grading and drainage will mean guests no longer have to drive across a stream or ice flow. Beginners will have an easier time parking and finding the way to the rental shop where their ski day begins. Adjustments will be made to the grading of the beginners hill.

SKI SCHOOL YURT: Wolf Mountain is working on plans to feature a yurt to house a "children's drop-off ski school."

TERRAIN PARK EXPANSION: The terrain park will be expanded to create a longer run. This is being done out of earth so that "Wolf's Lair" can double as a mountain bike free-ride park in the summer.

INCREASED SNOWMAKING: Wolf Mountain continues to invest in snowmaking and grooming to offer a high quality grooming program for the family intermediate target audience.

FINALTWO FREESTYLE BIG AIR SHOWS OF THE SUMMER

There are only two more freestyle aerial shows this summer August 26 and September 2. Pack the family in the car and come up to the Utah Olympic Park to watch Olympic medalists, U.S. national team members and developmental athletes as they fly 60 feet in the air off the aerial jumps and land in the 750,000-gallon splash pool.

Freestyle aerial shows are only available at the Utah Olympic Park. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to watch these athletes get BIG AIR.

The Flying Ace All Stars are world-class skiers and snowboarders. The 30-minute show begins at 12 noon. Ticket prices are $13 including day admission into the Olympic Park. Tickets are available at the gate or can be purchased in advance by calling (435) 658-4206.



SOLDIER HOLLOW HOSTS SHEEPDOG CHAMPIONSHIP TRIALS ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Join 20,000 spectators at America's Premiere Sheepdog Trial and Country Festival at Soldier Hollow on Labor Day weekend. Competitors from America, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, South Africa and New Zealand will be competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals.

The first sheepdog trials were held in Great Britain over 125 years ago in Bala, Wales . Over 300 people gathered to watch Tweed, a black and tan Scottish border collie, win the first sheepdog trial. Similar events quickly spread to Scotland, Ireland and England. Within twenty years the event had also made its way across the seas to America and down under, to Australia and New Zealand. The Soldier Hollow Classic celebrates this tradition by bringing a world class sheepdog competition to the Olympic Hills of Soldier Hollow.

In these trials, border collies, considered the most intelligent of all dogs, utilize great skills to herd sheep in an entertaining and competitive event. Sheepdog trials have been popular in Great Britain for more than 125 years and are still televised frequently by the BBC. Similar popularity is seen in Australia and New Zealand.

Each day at the Soldier Hollow Classic is filled with unique sights, sounds, smells and tastes! While there is open sheepdog competition each day the nature of that competition changes as the event progresses. On the first day the dogs face their greatest challenge: a new course and wild sheep. On the second and third days the top dogs begin to learn about the hill and the sheep they face. Border Collies are the world's smartest dogs and you can actually watch them learn by coming on more than one day. By Monday, Labor Day, only the 15 best dogs from the first three days advance to the Supreme Grand Championship.

Events, seminars, demonstrations and activities also vary from day to day. You'll enjoy bagpipe music, great food, arts and crafts, animal activities and demonstrations every day of the event. The whole event concludes Monday afternoon with the official medals ceremonies.

I.F.A. Country Traditions Festival is expanding to include more handmade arts and crafts, and a host of traditional farm activities that the whole family will enjoy. This will include our Navajo Rug Show, agricultural animal exhibit, and a host of great vendors offering beautiful handmade products. Demonstrations include spinning and weaving, pottery making, sheep shearing, and many other activities once common across rural America. The whole family will love the K-9 Kings Flying Dogs providing family fun three times a day on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

This year the Soldier Hollow Classic's Country Festival offers an even wider assortment of crafts, activities and demonstrations. Dozens of top artisans from throughout the west will offer a wide array of handmade products. Demonstrations will include weaving, spinning, sheep shearing and pottery making. Our Navajo Rug Show, sponsored by Adopt-a-Native Elder, features finely woven traditional Navajo textiles and demonstrations by Navajo artisans. Families will also enjoy a wide array of animal demonstrations and activities including our duck herding and dog demonstrations. This will include a sheep dog starting clinic by current National Champion, Amanda Milliken. Dogs participating in the clinic must be pre-registered as there will only be 5 yourg dogs in the clinic. Non-participant dogs are not allowed at the event or in the parking lot.

Our International Food Court is sponsored by the Utah Wool Growers and we make this promise: Great Food that far exceeds the usual selection of dogs and burgers found at most fairs. We audition hundreds of vendors and select just a few to ensure that every meal served at the Soldier Hollow Classic is both a bit unusual and absolutely delicious. While we feature American Lamb, you'll also find great beef and poultry entrees.

You'll find traditional Scottish meat pies, and haggis. Don't miss the authentic lamb burritos from Old Mexico. Our great Greek food promises to be a crowd pleaser. The Utah Wool Growers will again feature their fantastic lamb barbecue. And every vendor will offer at least one kid's meal for $3.50. For those of you who might think you don't like lamb, just ask for a sample. If that doesn't change your mind there are plenty of non-lamb selections also available.

Sessions start at 8 a.m. Friday through Sunday and at 8:30 a.m. on Monday for the Grand Championships. Daily admission from Friday to Sunday is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 children ages 6-12 and a family pass is available for $29. Admission for Monday's Grand Championship and medals ceremonies is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 children ages 6-12 and a family pass is available for $29. Non-competitor dogs are not allowed.

For more information, contact Soldier Hollow at (435) 654-2002 or email at info@soldierhollowclassic.com

AUGUST - MARCH 2007 UPCOMING EVENTS AT OLYMPIC PARKS

Aug. 26, Saturday Freestyle Big Air Show, Utah Olympic Park

Sept. 1-4, Classic Sheepdog Championships, Soldier Hollow

Sept. 2, Saturday Freestyle Big Air Show, Utah Olympic Park

Nov. 27 - Dec. 2, Luge World Cup, Utah Olympic Park

Dec. 4-9, Bobsled and Skeleton World Cup, Utah Olympic Park

Mar. 2-5, 2007, Chevrolet Jumping/Nordic Combined Junior Olympics, Utah Olympic Park

Mar. 5-10, 2007, Chevrolet Cross Country Junior Olympics, Soldier Hollow

Mar. 8-11, 2007, 2007 World Single Distance Championships - Utah Olympic Oval

We have an interesting Primitive Pottery Workshop coming up at Fremont Indian State Park and Museum near Richfield and hope you will consider joining us:

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum Primitive Pottery Workshop SEPTEMBER 22, 23, and 24 10 a.m. each day

Taught by local artisans, this workshop focuses on taking organic materials and using coiling and other primitive techniques to make pottery. Each participant makes his or her own work of art, which is fired in a primitive kiln.

Participants may also participate in a potluck picnic Saturday evening before the firing of the pots. On Sunday morning, participants remove their pots from the kiln and take them home to enjoy. You are welcome to attend all or part of this unique event.

Fremont Indian State Park Museum offers wonderful exhibits of the Fremont Indian culture, and is surrounded by hundreds of petroglyphs and pictographs. The park is located on I-70, 17 miles east of I-15.

We hope you can join us. If you would like to attend or need additional information, please contact me at any time. We have campsites available if you choose to camp overnight at the park.

Date: September 23---Trail ride for women

All day trail ride. Ride horseback through beautiful Red Canyon to Butch Cassidy's Hideout. The trails can take into a fantasy land of color and unmatched beauty into an incredible fairly land.

Accommodations at the Bryce Canyon Pines. It is located Hwy 12 just minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park.

Price breakdown: will include the all day escorted trail ride into Butch Cassidy's Hideout, very nice horse, 2 breakfast coupons, 1 lunch served on trail ride, and one dinner coupon to the Pines restaurant located on property, and accommodations of your selection. (this is the plus all above mentioned below)

Tenters: 2 nights for one lady, plus all above for $90 each. Adding extra ladies to tent camp is $90, no limit on group.

RV stay: 2 nights for one lady, plus all above for $120 each person. Adding extra camper for $5, no extras included.

RV stay: 2 nights for 2 ladies, plus all above for $100 each person. Adding extra ladies to group will be an additional $90 each.

Hotel stay: 2 nights for 2 ladies, plus all above for $160 each person. Adding extra ladies to group will be an additional fee of $120 each.

Hotel stay: 2 nights for one person, plus all above for $220. Adding extra person only $30 addition, no extras from above.

It is so beautiful down in this area. And if you've never been I recommend seeing its beauty. If you've been, you already know what I mean. The ride is for ladies only (ages 12 and up), but I invite you to bring your family to explore the canyons and fish the local Tropic Reservoir. Additional fees do apply for extra folks. In an effort to make this trip as economical as possible we put together several different price packages. If you have questions please give me a call.

Must reserve your spot by September 13Th.

Send fees (payable to WITO) to PO 793 Santaquin Utah 84655

Or you may pay by credit card by calling 801-754-1193 ( I will be out of the office from Sept 9-14, so leave a message and I'll get back to you asap)

Reg' information

Name:

Address:

Phone:

Email:

Thanks,
Tracy Jarvis
"Women in the Outdoors"
NWTF Women's Regional Coordinator



Utah Bureau of Land Management Continues to Seek Nominations for Utah Resource Advisory Council

Utah residents interested in the management and conservation of public lands have an opportunity to become directly involved through participation on the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Utah Resource Advisory Council (RAC). Council members provide advice and recommendations to the BLM concerning the use and management of 22 million acres of public land in Utah.

Nominations are being accepted for the position of Transportation/Rights-of-Way (Category1, Commodity) on the RAC. Upon appointment, the individual selected to this position will fill the seat until September 20, 2008, the remainder of this position's term.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others. Nominees must be residents of Utah. BLM will evaluate nominees based on their education, training, experience, and their knowledge of the geographical area of the RAC. Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to collaborative resource decision making. RAC members serve without monetary compensation, but are reimbursed for travel and meal expenses.

BLM will accept public nominations until September 5, 2006. Applicants are requested to submit a completed nomination form and reference letters to the address listed below. Applications are also available from BLM offices and on the website at http://www.ut.blm.gov . BLM consults with Utah Governor Huntsman before forwarding its recommendations to the Secretary of Interior for the final decision.

All nominations and letters of reference should be sent to: Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Sherry Foot, Utah State Office, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101. For additional information, please contact Sherry Foot at (801) 539-4195.


UTAH'S FIRST ALPINE COASTER OPENS AT PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORT

Park City, Utah (August 29, 2006) - Utah's first Alpine Coaster made its debut on Monday, August 28, 2006 at Park City Mountain Resort. Combining the amusement park with the beautiful mountain scenery, the Alpine Coaster allows the rider(s), in one or two person toboggans, to control their own speed, creating a custom ride.

The Alpine Coaster is certainly an exhilarating ride; the uphill portion allows the riders to experience the beautiful mountain environment in contrast with the downhill portion, which provides speed and precision with the rider at the controls," said Tom Pettigrew, director of summer operations for Park City Mountain Resort. "From the quiet sounds of nature to fresh mountain air the Alpine Coaster will definitely heighten all five senses.

The Alpine Coaster transports riders to the top via a tubular rail system. Once there, the toboggans release, gravity takes over, and the riders are transported downhill through a series of bends, curves and bumps. The Alpine Coaster track passes over the Resort Skiway, on a bridge, suspended 20 feet above the ground. This unique, Double-decker Bridge is more than 240 feet and acts much like the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge where the downhill traffic is above the uphill. The total track length is nearly 6,000 feet.

The Alpine Coaster will continue daily operations through October 15, weather and conditions permitting. The cost is $15 per ride. Guests can also purchase an Alpine Slide/Alpine Coaster pass (one ride each) for $20.

Park City Mountain Resort is also home to Utah's original Alpine Slide and the worlds longest ZipRider™. In addition, the Resort boasts lift-served mountain biking and hiking, a climbing wall, Legacy Launcher trampolines, amusement park rides for the little kids at the Little Miner's Park and guided horseback rides. Park City Mountain Resort's Town Lift provides easy access onto the mountain from the town's historic Main Street.

Park City Mountain Resort is a premier destination for both the summer and winter seasons. Offering 3,300 acres of varied terrain, Park City Mountain Resort is consistently ranked among the top ten mountain resorts in North America for its accessibility, terrain parks and family programs. The Resort is home to the world's longest ZipRider™ and Utah's famous Alpine Slide. For more information on Park City Mountain Resort, visit http://www.parkcitymountain.com .



Rabbit Populations Booming Across Utah

If you haven't hunted cottontail rabbits in awhile, this is the year to get out and give it a try.

Cottontail rabbit populations are booming across Utah.

"The rabbit hunt should be a banner hunt this year," said Dan Barnhurst, a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) conservation officer in northeastern Utah. "Every time I go out into the field, I see cottontails [cottontail rabbits] and jacks [white-tailed and black-tailed jackrabbits]. I've been on patrols from Diamond Mountain and the Book Cliffs to Strawberry Reservoir, and it seems like every place I go, I see rabbits."

Boyde Blackwell, UDWR regional wildlife manager, agrees. "There are rabbits everywhere! I don't think I've ever seen so many rabbits."

Utah's cottontail rabbit season starts Sept. 16, 2006 and runs until Feb. 28, 2007, making it the longest upland game hunt in Utah.

"Rabbit season can be great fun, especially for kids as cottontails are usually fairly easy to find," Barnhurst said. "Most rabbit hunters use a .22 rifle. However the .22 magnum and the new .17 are gaining in popularity. Walking the brushy washes with a light shotgun can also provide fast action for cottontails."

The rabbit season can also be one of the more deadly hunts.

"Unfortunately, rabbit seasons tend to be one of the most accident prone hunts," Barnhurst said. "Often people road hunt, and all too often, they don't bother to get out of their vehicles to shoot. Not only is this illegal, it's dangerous.

"Research proves time and time again that having a loaded firearm in the vehicle is extremely dangerous for both hunters and their non-hunting companions. We greatly encourage hunters to follow the safety procedures they learned in hunter safety: control the muzzle, keep hands and other items away from the trigger until [they're] ready to fire, no loaded firearms in the vehicle and always know what is behind your target.

"And, if you are riding with a hunter, don't get into the vehicle until he proves his gun is unloaded. There's plenty of rabbits and plenty of time to load the gun after you get out of the truck."

For more information about this year's rabbit hunt, call the nearest DWR office.

Hunting Fee Changes Proposed

It might cost more or less to hunt and fish in Utah in the future, depending on which licenses you buy.

The changes would result from some fee changes the Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing. The fee changes would allow the agency to continue managing Utah's wildlife effectively and provide hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers with some additional services.

You can learn more about the DWR's proposals at a series of upcoming public meetings. Fishing rules for Utah's 2007 season, and a proposal to increase the number of wild turkey hunting permits in Utah, also will be discussed.

Citizens representing Utah's five Regional Advisory Councils will take the public input received at the meetings to the Utah Wildlife Board when it meets Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City to approve fee changes, and fishing and turkey hunting rules, for 2007.

Meeting dates, times and locations are as follows:

Southern Region
Sept. 12
7 p.m.
Kanab High School
59 E. Red Shadow Lane
Kanab

Southeastern Region
Sept. 13
6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum
885 E. Main St.
Green River

Northeastern Region
Sept. 14
6:30 p.m.
Western Park, Rm. # 2
302 E. 200 S.
Vernal

Central Region
Sept. 19
6:30 p.m.
Springville Junior High
165 S. 700 E.
Springville

Northern Region
Sept. 20
6 p.m.
Brigham City Community Center
24 N. 300 W.
Brigham City

Fee Changes

The fee changes the DWR is recommending would be phased in beginning July 1, 2007.

"Those who pay a $5 fee to apply in the big game draw each year, but then do not buy any other licenses or permits, would be the ones most affected by the changes," says Jim Karpowitz, director of the DWR. "Those who already buy Utah hunting and fishing licenses would not be affected as much. In fact, in some cases, they may actually pay less."

The DWR is recommending that the price of the following be reduced:

Fee Decreases

Current New

Resident combination license $34 $30 (allows the holder to hunt and fish)

Resident deer permit $40 $35

Resident elk permit $65 $45 (any bull/spike/anterless)

Resident turkey permit $40 $35


The DWR is also recommending that the price of the following be increased:

Fee Increases

Current New
Resident small game $17 $26 (renamed a hunting license)
Nonresident small game $45 $65 (renamed a hunting license)
Drawing application fee $5 $10

In addition to the fee changes, the DWR is recommending a major change in how people apply in Utah's hunting draws:
- Before applying for or buying any hunting permit, all hunters, including big game hunters, would be required to buy a hunting license (this license is currently called a small game license).

In addition to allowing the holder to apply for or buy a permit, a hunting license would allow the holder to hunt small game.

A hunting license would cost $26. Instead of buying a hunting license, hunters could choose to buy a $30 combination license that would also allow them to fish.

- The fee to apply in Utah's hunting draws, including the big game draw, would be increased to $10. The application fee is currently $5.

In addition to the big game changes, the DWR is proposing the following:

- Those who don't have a hunting or fishing license would be required to pay a fee to visit the state's wildlife and waterfowl management areas (WMAs). A Watchable Wildlife pass would be available for $10 and would allow the purchaser access to the state's WMAs for 365 days from the day the pass was purchased. The pass would also provide the holder access to all of the Watchable Wildlife events and festivals in Utah for which a fee is charged to attend.

- Twelve- and 13-year-old anglers would be required to buy a $5 fishing license. "For every license sold to these young anglers, the division would collect $12 in federal aid. That money would then be invested in fish hatcheries and other programs that would make fishing better in the state," Karpowitz said.

Other Agenda Items

In addition to input about the fee proposals, the DWR is seeking input about some additional items. The Utah Wildlife Board is expected to act on the following items when it meets in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5:

Fishing Changes for 2007

Anglers could keep more trout at Scofield Reservoir under a regulation the Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing for 2007.

"We think anglers will be pleased with the changes we're proposing for 2007," says Roger Wilson, sport fisheries coordinator for the DWR. "One of our goals is to simplify the regulations and make them easier for anglers to understand. It will take a few years to get there, but that's the direction we're headed."

Wilson says the DWR would like to try the proposed regulation changes to see how they work. "We would evaluate any changes over the next two to three years and make adjustments as necessary," he said. "Nothing is set in stone. If we found that a regulation wasn't accomplishing what we want it to, we could propose that it be changed in the future."

Proposed Changes

The following are some of the DWR's fishing recommendations for 2007:

Scofield Reservoir (central Utah) - increase the trout limit to eight fish.

Statewide walleye limit - make the walleye limit 10 fish at all of the waters in Utah that have walleye except Willard Bay Reservoir, where the limit at the reservoir would remain at six walleye. Only one of the walleyes caught at any of the waters could be longer than 24 inches.

Second fishing pole - allow anglers to use a second fishing pole at fishing waters across the state.

Panguitch Lake and its tributaries (southwestern Utah) - allow anglers to keep four trout of any species, but the trout must be under 15 inches or over 22 inches in length. Anglers would be required to release all trout from 15 to 22 inches long.

Calder Reservoir (northeastern Utah) - make the reservoir a trophy fishery by allowing the use of artificial flies and lures only and allowing anglers to keep only one fish that must be over 22 inches in length.

Trout Limit at Scofield Reservoir

A big drop in the number of anglers fishing at one of Utah's best trout waters has prompted the DWR to recommend an increase in the trout limit at this water. Under the recommendation, the trout limit at Scofield Reservoir would be raised from four to eight trout beginning Jan. 1, 2007.

"Scofield is one of the best trout fishing waters in Utah, but the number of anglers who fish it has dropped off dramatically during the past 20 years," Wilson says.

Wilson says in 1986, anglers spent almost 347,000 hours fishing at Scofield. By 2005, that number had dropped to just under 115,000 hours. "That's a 67 percent drop in angling pressure," Wilson said.

The drop in angler hours has also led to a drop in the number of fish caught at the reservoir. In 1986, anglers caught more than 252,000 trout. By 2005, that number had fallen to less than 36,000.

"Scofield is a fantastic trout fishing water, and anglers are missing out on some great fishing," Wilson said. "We're hoping anglers will come back if the trout limit is increased."

If the regulation is approved, Wilson says biologists would try the eight trout limit as an experiment. "Our biologists would continue to watch the trout population closely to make sure the increased limit was not having a negative effect on the population," he said. "We would also survey anglers to learn if the increased limit was one of the reasons they decided to fish at the reservoir."

Statewide Walleye Limit

Walleye fishing in Utah should be even better in the future under a regulation change that would allow anglers to keep up to 10 walleye. The only exception would be Willard Bay Reservoir in northern Utah, where the limit would remain at six walleye.

Only one of the walleyes caught at any of the waters could be longer than 24 inches.

"Right now many of the state's walleye populations are going through a boom-and-bust cycle. We'll have good numbers of nice-sized walleye at a particular water for a few years, and then the population at that water will decline in both size and numbers as the walleye population grows bigger than the population of fish they prey on," Wilson said.

Wilson says the key to preventing the decline is creating a better balance between the walleye and the fish they prey on.

"If we allow anglers to keep more of the small walleyes, the overall number of walleyes will be reduced. Fewer walleyes would result in a better balance between the walleyes and the fish they prey on," he said. "We're hoping the regulation change would result in fewer ups and downs in the walleye population and more consistent and better walleye fishing."

Two Fishing Poles

Anglers could fish with two fishing poles, at waters across Utah, under another DWR recommendation.

"Other states that have allowed anglers to use two fishing poles statewide have not seen any negative effect on their fish populations," Wilson said. "Allowing Utah's anglers to use two poles would provide them with more opportunity and more fun at waters across the state."

In addition to their fishing license, anglers would be required to purchase a Two-Pole Permit to use a second pole.

More Turkey Permits

More than 400 additional hunters would be hunting wild turkeys in Utah next spring under a permit increase the DWR is recommending.

For 2007, the DWR is recommending 2,369 Rio Grande permits, up 335 from the 2,034 available this past spring. A total of 732 Merriam's permits would also be available in 2007. That's 94 more than the 638 available this past spring.

Total wild turkey permits would be 3,101 in 2007, compared to 2,672 in 2006.

"Over the past seven years, we've moved a lot of wild turkeys into Utah, and we've also moved a lot of birds from one area of the state to another," says Dean Mitchell, upland game coordinator for the DWR. "It's taken a few years, but these birds have adapted to their new habitats here in Utah. They're learning where the food is and where the best places are to spend the winter.

"Wild turkey populations across most of the state are doing really well."

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


"Wild Places and Wild Things"Are Better, Thanks to Doug Miller

Most Utahns knew Doug Miller for his booming voice and as the man who loved "wild places and wild things." What many people don't know about are the extensive conservation efforts he did when the camera was off.


"People who love wild places and wild things."

These simple words will be a part of our lives forever because of Doug Miller. These words were much more than a slogan to Doug. Wild places and wild things were values he believed contributed to the quality of life in Utah.

What many people never saw, and never knew, were the many hours Doug spent outside of work to promote and preserve these values.

The Division of Wildlife Resources expresses grateful appreciation to Doug and his family for his tireless work to help sportsmen and all Utahns better understand and more fully appreciate Utah's wildlife and wild lands. The agency recognizes that these efforts often took him away from his cherished family, and the DWR extends its heartfelt thanks to them for sharing him with all of us.

Doug contributed his talents and distinctive voice to many wildlife education projects. He recorded education messages for people to listen to as they admired elk on the horse-drawn sleighs at Hardware Ranch. (No one was more "uniquely qualified" than Doug to don a Santa Clause cap at Christmas time to encourage Utahns to see and experience elk at the ranch!)

At the time of his death, he was preparing to do recordings to support a local Boy Scout troop in their efforts to create a short distance radio station at the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area.

His messages of wise, ethical use of the earth's resources were a critical part of many of his programs.

His stunning narration of the hunter education video entitled "Building Tomorrow" grabbed the attention of young hunters who instantly recognized and listened to his voice. He instilled in these young hunters a sense of pride for the conservation ethic that is associated with hunting.

Two of Doug's passions, waterfowl and Rocky Mountain elk, were benefited by the countless fundraising events that he hosted or added "color" to as a Master of Ceremonies.

He was instrumental in creating the Kids Fishing Pond at the Wildlife Building at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. He spent many hours with his shoes off and pant legs rolled up, wading in the water to place rocks and seal the lining of the pond. He took great pride in watching kids catch their first catfish (one of his favorite fish!) from the pond and signing catfish posters for everyone. He was always flattered by the praise he received from his fans and was always willing to sign autographs.

Invaluable safety tips and other instructive messages were a regular part of his television programs. These tips helped outdoorsmen and women enjoy their sport more fully and safely.

While many sportsmen experienced and saw first-hand his commitment and passion for wildlife values, Utahns from all backgrounds and walks of life more fully appreciate Utah's "wild places and wild things" because of Doug Miller.

The National Guard's "GREAT RACE"

Great Race Special to air on The Outdoor Channel Sept. 2



Temecula, Calif.--Management of The Outdoor Channel announces a special one hour presentation of The National Guard's "Great Race" that will air on September 2nd at 2:00 PM (Eastern Time). It can be seen only on The Outdoor Channel.

The "Great Race," called the "ultimate automotive adventure," features over a hundred individual race teams competing in a 4,100-mile road rally. The "Great Race" is a true American adventure featuring classic cars and determined drivers competing against the clock and against each other as they travel across the United States. Starting in Philadelphia, PA and ending in San Rafael, CA this race is a one-of-kind, old-fashioned, cross country race, pitting some of the nation's salty, unique characters against each other and testing the limits of their classic vehicles.

The race is limited to fully-operational vintage cars 45 years old or older and supported by such major sponsors as the National Guard, Hemmings Motor News, Geico Insurance, Coker Tire and Interstate Batteries.

Although the "Great Race" has been previously televised, this year marks the first time that the race will be broadcast on The Outdoor Channel. Wade Sherman, The Outdoor Channel's Senior VP of Programming explains, "The 'Great Race' is a great fit for TOC--this is an amazing national event with a huge following. Our audience consistently tells us that they love cars, and this is a perfect chance to present a unique combination of nostalgia and adventure."

If you are a "car-person" you won't want to miss this one.