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Show Hardware Ranch elk fans have both good and bad news for Christmas season outings. The good news about 300 elk have made their way to their northern Utah wintering area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon east of Hyrum. The bad news not enough snow is yet on the meadows to permit per-mit the horse-drawn sleigh rides that have become a popular winter activity for many Utahns. IN summer the large meadow areas of the Ranch are used to raise hay for the wintering elk. In winter there must be a deep snow pack to prevent damage to the meadow by sleighs. In January the snow conditions are usually favorable for the sleigh rides. Information about Hardware Hard-ware Ranch conditions is available on the Division of Wildlife Resources information informa-tion phone. Dial 532-BIRD for the recorded message. EARLY visitors to the Ranch may not be able to enjoy en-joy a sleigh ride, but elk on the meadow can be observed from the comfort of the visitor visi-tor center on an adjacent-hilltop. adjacent-hilltop. The visitor center features a complete history of the Ranch and pictorial displays illustrating its purpose. pur-pose. Questions about wildlife and the Ranch are answered by the wildlife personnel on duty at the center. Sleigh rides might have to wait; but the elk are there now, and the fireplace in the visitor center is warm and inviting. If the family wants an enjoyable experience, take them to Hardware Ranch. It will be a day well spent. |