Outdoor notebook: Officials propose increase in black bear hunting permits

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing an increase of 53 more black bear hunting permits in 2011. The number of bear permits would increase to 419. The state issued 366 permits in 2010. Officials say about 40 percent of the permits are filled by hunters each year and 158 bears were killed in 2010.

Biologists also propose extending the spring hunting season for one week on three additional bear management units.

The DWR's recommendations can be viewed at www.wildlife.utah.gov/pub. People can share their thoughts at a series of Regional Wildlife Advisory Council meetings being held across the state in the next two weeks. The Utah Wildlife Board will meet Jan. 4 to vote on the proposals.

The meetings will be Dec. 7 in the Southern Region, 7 p.m. at Beaver High School, 195 E. Center St., Beaver; Dec. 8 in the Southeastern Region at 6:30 p.m. at the John Wesley Powell Museum, 1765 E. Main St., Green River; Dec. 9 in the Northeastern Region at 6:30 p.m. at the Bingham Entrepreneurship and Energy Research Center, 320 N. Aggie Blvd. (2000 West), Vernal; Dec. 14 in the Central Region at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Region Conference Center, 1115 N. Main St., Springville; and Dec. 15 in the Northern Region at 6 p.m. at the Brigham City Community Center, 24 N. 300 West, Brigham City.

Utah State Parks Board meeting

The Utah State Parks Board is meeting Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Department of Natural Resources, 1594 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City. The board will present its recommendations for changes, largely increases, in the current fee system. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Free REI clinics

REI clinics are free, but registration is recommended. Call the appropriate store (Sandy, 810-501-0850, or Salt Lake, 801-486-2100) to hold a spot.

Dec. 7 • Learn the basics of snowshoeing from REI staffers at 7 p.m. at the Salt Lake store, 3385 E. 3300 South, East Millcreek. Learn how to pick the appropriate gear to suit your needs and discover where to go snowshoeing in your area.

Dec. 8 • SheJumps, a local nonprofit group dedicated to increasing the presence of women in outdoor activities, is hosting Evelyn Lees of the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center for an avalanche awareness for women clinic. The presentation will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

Dec. 9 • The Sandy store, 10600 S. 230 West, is holding a ski and snowboard waxing and tuning basics class at 7 p.m.

Dec. 9 • The Utah Avalanche Center's popular Know Before You Go clinic is being held at the Salt Lake store at 7 p.m. Subjects include: avalanche rescue, how avalanches work, reading avalanche terrain, obvious clues to instability, avalanche weather, safe travel practices and essential equipment. Suitable for ages 14 and older.

To get your event listed, e-mail the info to brettp@sltrib.com or mail it to Brett Prettyman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.