Romantics who like elk in the snow look forward to Hardware Ranch opening

ROMANCE BY VIEW AND ELK: The Hardware Ranch's beautiful view and elk watching make it a romantic hit. / Photos by Ryan M. Monk

By Ryan M. Monk

December 4, 2006 | HYRUM -- If you need a place for a romantic winter date look no further than the Hardware Ranch, opening the Thursday of finals week.

About an hour drive away from the USU campus, the 14,000-acre wildlife management area offers elk viewing rides and moonlight rides on Saturdays to the general public, and is a great place to propose to your mate.

"We get about four or five proposals every season," said Marni Lee, assistant manager of the ranch, "So far everyone has said yes; it's a very successful proposal area."

If you give the ranch a call in advance, they may help you set something romantic up, but you have to show come back and show them the ring afterwards, Lee said.

The ranch gets about 400 to 600 elk every season which they study and track to understand the nature of the herd, which is funded by visitors and sportsman license fees.

If you want to learn more or contact Hardware Ranch their phone number is 753-6186 and their Web site is at www.wildlife.utah.gov/hardwareranch.

[NOTE: If you do visit the ranch drive carefully and obey the speed limit. This reporter skidded twice and spun out of control once on the way there.]

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