A committee is looking for ways to make late winter and early spring easier for deer, elk and moose -- that according to a recent news release issued by Mark Hardley of Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources.

That's the time of year when people swarm over the animal's winter ranges in search of antlers that dropped off the animals' heads during the winter.

The DWR assembled the committee. Now, the division wants to know your thoughts about the committee's ideas. They're also interested in any new ideas you may have.

"Late winter and early spring is a critical time for big-game animals," said Mike Fowlks, chief of the DWR's Law Enforcement Section. "It's a time of year when the animals are usually stressed and weak. It's also a time when the habitat the animals rely on can be easily damaged.

"We like the committee's ideas, but we're open to other ideas too."

The committee is proposing the following:

• Requiring written authorization from the DWR to gather shed antlers in Utah from Jan. 1-May 15. Written authorization would be given after the person completed an ethics course at the DWR's Web site. The course would provide tips on how to gather antlers in a way that doesn't disturb big game animals or damage their habitat.

• Those who wanted to gather antlers after May 15 would not be required to complete the course.

• The director of the DWR could close shed antler gathering, on an emergency basis, in any part of the state where the practice was harming wildlife.

The Shed Antler Gathering Committee is undecided on whether a fee should be charged to complete the course. The 10-person committee includes representatives from the Mule Deer Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, the Utah Bowmen's Association and two at-large representatives. DWR staff have made themselves available to answer the group's questions and provide them with information.

"Please let us know what you think about the committee's ideas," Fowlks says. "We're also open to any new ideas you may have."

After gathering public input, the committee will put its final recommendations together. The DWR will present those recommendations at a series of public meetings in November.

Outdoor briefs

• The second in the summer series of free training says for all pointing dog breeds is scheduled for Saturday at 7 a.m.

This event is co-sponsored by the German Shorthair Pointer Club, Brittany and Vizsla Clubs of Utah for anyone with a pointing dog breed who is interested in learning how to get the most out of their dog by enhancing its natural talents through training.

Some of the top dog trainers in the country live in Utah. They have many regional and national titles to their and their dog's names. They will be donating their time and sharing their talents and experience with dog owners around the state.

There will be opportunities for both dogs and their owners to learn new hunting skills that will serve them well in the upcoming hunting season. There will be stations for all stages of dog development from puppies through fully trained dogs. All equipment and training birds will be provided by the clubs.

The location is a field just north of SR-73 (the road that runs through the middle of Lehi out towards Saratoga Springs and Cedar Fort) about a mile west of the Eagle Mountain turn off. There will be a sign on the side of the road pointing the way, but you can look for a gathering of trucks around a blue awning about a quarter mile off the road. It's really hard to miss.

For more information please contact Jeff Nichols at: shagrunner@yahoo.com or call 801-592-1577. More detailed information can also be found at www.utahbirddogs.com under The Club House or Pointing Dog topic listings.

The German Shorthair Pointer Club of Utah along with the Brittany and Vizsla Clubs of Utah are non-profit organizations dedicated to the breeding, training, field trialing and hunting of all pointing dog breeds. They are the regional AKC sanctioned organizations with ties directly to the national AKC organization.

• Dallas John can be reached at 344-2972 or at djohn@heraldextra.com.