HYRUM, Utah, Dec. 1, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Your chance to look into the eyes of a wild elk, 5-foot-tall at the shoulder with 20 pounds of magnificent crowning antler is at hand.
“Another season of bundling up and riding on a horse-drawn sleigh or wagon through the middle of hundreds of wild elk is almost here!” the state Division of Wildlife Resources has announced.
“The Hardware Wildlife Management Area winter season and associated activities — including some new opportunities this year — begin on Dec. 6.
During the winter months, the DWR feeds between 500 and 600 Rocky Mountain elk in the big meadow near Hardware’s Wildlife Education Center each day. The grass hay used to feed the elk, about 300 tons, is grown on the WMA (formerly known as Hardware Ranch) throughout the summer.
The Hardware WMA is 16 miles east of Hyrum, Cache County, on state Route 101 through scenic Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Hyrum lies a few miles south of Logan.
The 500-acre meadow where the deer’s giant cousins, as long as eight feet nose-to-tail and 500 to 1,000 pounds, are fed is apparently popular with the beasts. Elk at the Hardware WMA that have received GPS collars have traveled from as far away as Montpelier, Idaho and Cokeville, Wyoming, the DWR said.
Haviland’s Old West Adventures has contracted with the DWR to offer horse-drawn sleigh or wagon rides on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 6 to Feb. 9. Rides start at 10 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. each day. Each ride lasts about 45 minutes.
The fee to go on a ride is $10 for those 9 years of age or older and $4 for those 4 to 8 years old. Those 3 years of age or younger ride for free. Tickets are only sold at the Hardware Wildlife Education Center, and you must buy them in-person on the day of your ride. The center closes at 4:30 p.m. so tickets must be purchased before then. Tickets are not available online.
Before or after your ride, you can also buy food from a food trailer near the sleigh ride line.
Those with a group of 25 or more can reserve a group sleigh ride for Wednesday afternoons. Call 435-744-3229 to reserve the group ride.
New this year, “Santaâs Workshop” will be offered Dec. 7, 14 and 21. The workshop includes a waffle breakfast or lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a bag filled with swag and a chance to make holiday ornaments before riding through the elk herd.
The cost, which includes the sleigh ride, is $40 for those 3 years of age and older. Those 2 or younger are free. You can reserve a spot by calling 480-540-3499. Otherwise, visiting the center with its “All About Elk” exhibit is free.
For more information, visit the DWR website. You can also call the WMA at 435-753-6206 or email Hardware Wildlife Education Center Director Marni Lee at marnilee@utah.gov.
