The grounds around the oldest pioneer structure in Utah still resting on its original foundation will be open for tours Saturday and Sunday.
Tours at the Fielding Garr ranch house on Antelope Island will run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. The ranch house was built in 1848. Garr was assigned by Mormon Church President Brigham Young to oversee the church's Tithing Herd, located on the island.Along with it's distinction as the oldest pioneer structure still on its original foundation, the house is also the longest continually lived-in structure in the state, having been occupied from 1848 until 1980, when the state of Utah purchased the entire island and closed the home in preparation for needed restoration work.
Visitors to the ranch house complex will be greeted by interpreters in pioneer dress, who will explain the history of the ranch house area. Horse and wagon rides will also be available.
The final tour of 1994 will be Oct. 15 and 16.
To reach Antelope Island State Park exit I-15 at Exit 335 (Syracuse/Freeport Center exit) and head west. Regular park fees are charged. Call the park at 773-2941 for more information.
OFF-HIGHWAY PARK OPEN - The Jordan River Off-Highway Vehicle Park has been reopened for weekday riding. The park had been closed on weekdays, due to a lack of weekday riders.
The park is now open for riding, weather permitting, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until dark. Portions of the park will be closed on certain weekends, however, so the park can host snowmobile drag races on the park's grass drag strip.
The 200 acre park, which features a moto-cross track, two all-terrain vehicle/motorcycle tracks and an open riding area, is located at 2800 North Rose Park Lane. The best way to reach the park is to travel on I-215 and exit at Exit 25 (2200 North). After exiting turn east and then turn left onto the frontage road (Rose Park Lane). Rose Park Lane ends at the park.
UPLAND WORKSHOP - An upland game workshop will be held Saturday at the Lee Key Hunter Education Center.
The workshop is geared toward young hunters interested in learning more about upland game hunting in Utah. The center is located at 6000 W. 2100 South.
The workshop is open to hunters 12 to 18 years of age who have successfully completed a Hunter Education Course.
The workshop is sponsored by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Great Salt Lake Chapter of Pheasants Forever and the Golden Spike Chapter of Pheasants Forever. To register, or for further information, contact Linda Rawley at 538-4784.
MINERSVILLE FISH - Recent gill netting surveys from Minersville Reservoir show the fish are healthy, big, and plentiful. Hot summer temperatures have made life difficult for trout at Minersville in Southern Utah this year. But, despite the loss of some 1600 fish due to low water levels, warm water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels, the fishery is the strongest its ever been. Big fish, 18 inches or larger, are biting on flies and spinners early and late in the day. Any fish under 20 inches must be immediately released.
DUCK HUNT - The opening day of the North Zone Waterfowl hunt has changed this year. The waterfowl proclamation should be out soon with some changes to past times and bag limits.
The North Zone hunt begins on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 8 a.m. In past years, the hunt started on at noon on the first Saturday in October. The duck season has been lengthened by 10 days. Hunter should also check bag limits. Total bag limit is four ducks with restrictions on mallards, pintails, redheads, and canvasbacks. Canvasbacks have been limited to one.