Outdoors
/
Operation Game Thief: 1.800-992-3030
Operation Cal. Tip: 1-800-952.5400
Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursday, October 9, 1997 23
Upland Game outlook is fair for north, slow in south
by Geoff Schneider
Hunters heading to the field for the Saturday, October 4,
opening of most of Nevada's upland game hunts will be wise
to point their vehicles north, according to the Nevada Divi-
sion of Wildlife (NDOW).
"Game bird densities look better this 'ear in the north
because of good production, the result of a
wet summer and adequate winter precipi-
moon. Southern Nevada had drought con-
ditions that didn't allow the birds to get into
breeding condition," said San Stiver,
NDOW staff biologist.
Even though Stiver predicts there will
be higher numbers of game birds available
to hunters during the upcoming seasons, he
feels hunting conditions could be difficult.
This is because recent storms may have
scattered the birds, both in the north and
south.
"The birds will be more evenly distrib-
uted, rather than clumped on water. Hunt-
ers will have to cover more ground to find
quail, chukar, sage grouse and other game
birds," he said.
On a positive note, this year's storms
may have set the stage for even better
hunting in years to come, particularly in
the southern counties. Stiver is predicting
that the 1998 season could be a good year
for southern upland game hunters, while 1999 promises to be
excellent.
NDOW's upland game bird surveys indicate some of the
better chukar hunting should be found this season in Eureka,
Humholt, Lander and Washoe Counties. Difficult to fair
hunting is in the foreet for the southern Counties of Clark,
Lincoln and Nye.
"If you want to get away from the crowds and see some
new country, try the Kawich, Pancake, Hot Creek or Toiyabe
ranges," advises Mike Cox, NDOW supervising game biolo-
gist. All of these ranges are located in central and northern
Nye County.
Quail hunting coincides with the chukar season and runs
from Oct. 4 -Jan. 31. NDOW advises hunters to check this
year's hunting regulations because bag
limits vary according to county and
species.
Some of the better hunting for Cali-
fornia (valley) quail is expected to be
found in the valley areas of western
Nevada nearthe communities of Fallon,
Yerington and Winnemucca. Southern
hunters will have their best results for
gambers quail in the Kane Springs and
Mormon Mountains northeast of Las
Vegas.
Hunters who harvest mountain quail
are being asked to contact any NDOW
office to provide information on the
area where they took the birds. This
information will be valuable in helping
with their management.
Stiver said sage grouse hunters
have their best luck in Elko and
White Pine Counties. He also said the
NDOW has stepped up its efforts at
collecting data on the game birds be-
cause of population declines.
Most sage grouse seasons begin Oct. 4, with closing dates
Varying by county. Some bag and possession limits have been
reduced this year because of concern overdc-lining numbers.
"We are generally exg fair success for our upland
game bird seasons. BUt, hunters will have to remember that
they will have to work harder this year to f'md birds because
they are going to be scattered," Stiver said.
New facilities Ash Meadows National W'ddlife Refuge
The U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service will host a grand Projeetandgevo six
opening on saturday, October 11 from 11 a.m. to 12p.m. feet wide and dislity accessible, me 0.3 tnile
to celebrate the completion of the new Crystal Spring
Interpretive Kiosk and Boardwalk at Ash Meadows Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge. The facilities prot.eet wetland
resources while providing wildlife-oriented recreation and
education to visitors.
The kiosk was designed to give visitors enough infor-
marion to enjoy and learn about the refuge on their own.
Four interpretive panels orient the visitor with maps,
explore the significance of the refuge's' fish and wildlife.
Introduce the role of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
and illustrate habitat restoration projects.
The boardwalk was built in cooperation with the Ne-
vada Biodiversity Initiative, the California Environmental
along the stream over fiat terrain to Crystal Spring. An
observation deck affords excellent views of Ash Meadows
Pupfish, a species found nowhere else on earth.
The opening coincides with National Wildlife Refuge
Week, an event which calls for people across the country
to learn about and celebrate this magnificent network of
lands which American citizens have set aside for wildlife
and habitat. The National Wildlife Refuge System, the
only one of its kind in the world dedicated specifically to
wildlife habitat and conservation, is now in its 94th year.
Please join us in celebrating the opening of these new
facilities. For further information and directions to the
refuge, call (702) 372-5345.
Overton pheasant hunt drawing
A drawing for pheasant hunting reservations at
Overton Wildlife Management Area will be held Mon-
day, October 6 at 8 a.m. at the Nevada Division of
Wildlife 4747 West Vegas Drive, Las Vegas.
- Clark County's pheasant season is scheduled for
October 11-14. Reservations will be limited to 55 hunt-
ers per day on the management area during the four-day
season.
Fly.tying workshop scheduled
The Nevada Division of Wildlife and l.as Vegas Fly Fishing
Club will hold a free fly tying workshop on Thursday, October
16 at 7p.m. at Beeker Community School, 9110 I-Iillpointe Road,
Lag Vegas.
Participants will beinslructedon the basic techniques of tying
flies. All students will tie a wooly worm fly during the class.
Equipment and materials will be furnished. To register forthe
class, call NDOW at (702) 486-5127.
Fishing Report
Nevada Division of W'dage
\\;
MU. A.gs .,ag 'suri tins m,a m trove
mixed results as some me co rmh while n,oa
littlz or lJo succe ,,
Fair action is being fonnd by shore angles at Boxcar andCrawdad
Cottonwood Cove for the few anglers who have taken to the wat
during the past week.
The better location for stripers has been the area above Owl's
Point Spen weighing from to two are being caught by
drifting anchovies.
Tront fishing has been fair above Willow Bew, h for boaters who
are chaffing and casting small spoons and spinners toward shor
bass fishing has been very slow.
The Nevada DivisionofWildlife stocked rainbow trout Wednes-
day, g Ixflow Hoover Dam.
• gAOVALLlUERVOIR;Trontfkicontinuto
be ix because of the recem fish lothat occurred in the lake. The
Coves. Boaters are catching small sUripets at Boxcar and
Island.
their luckin the Ovm'ton having son
in eo nah of suu-es mdat r
Seripers arealso be/rig caught by drilKng anchovies in/eeberg
Oam_l eatf are taking a variety of tx in shanew roves at
bass m hemming mo aaive as e wem
cools and ale being caught in coves ard aloq drop offs.
LAKE MOHAV - Staped bau f=tn8 hm beea good above
Divimon ofW'fldlifcis c(mducling surveys ofltm lakcto
extant of that loss. .....
E ClIO CANYON RESiVOIR. Only a few angleu seen
at the tae over they repoaed the rut Wm w.
SCIIROEIIEIt VOIR. Rainlw in.
ues to be poor in the lake, Ixlt good in the slream below theteseevoir: J
WAYNK KIRCH WILDLIF'E MANAGEblg'r . [
ia,ow umt asuins is improving wuiu, 0e lanmno. uass a= I
y difficult to catch. The bette action for trcpat is bei|18 I
