State Wildlife Commission to set waterfowl seasons

According to a recent press release by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), season dates, bag limits and regulations for this fall's waterfowl hunts are scheduled to be set by the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners during a one-day meeting on Friday, Aug. 5, at 9 a.m. at the Bristlecone Convention Center in Ely.

The Commissioners will have a number of options for opening and closing dates for the duck, goose and other waterfowl hunts. This will be based on a season framework that was provided to the state from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Proposed 2005 general limits for ducks are seven daily with 14 in possession with more restrictive limits on some species.

Shortened seasons are again planned for pintail and canvasback ducks.

NDOW is requesting approval from the commissioners to expend more than $93,000 from the duck stamp fund to benefit the state's wetlands.

Most of the money will be used for herbicide spraying on wildlife management areas to control noxious weeds.

Commissioners also will review NDOW's proposed predator management projects for the current fiscal year.

New projects that are being proposed include predator control to protect wild turkeys at Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area and protection for bighorn sheep near the East Walker River and in the Excelsior Range.

Reports will be given on the Clark County Shooting Range, Elk Species Management Plan process review, elk sub-plans for Lincoln and White Pine counties, Mule Deer Species Policy Plan and budgets and revenue report for NDOW.

There will also be reports on the White Pine Outdoor Education Center, Overton Wildlife Management Area, Nevada Wildlife Data System, 2005 big game tag drawing, mining assessment funded projects, 2005 wild fires, Americans with Disability Act compliance costs and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies conference.

Other agenda items include a report from Terry Crawforth, NDOW director, and the election of a chairman and vice-chairman for the commission.

The meeting is open to the public and public comment periods are scheduled.

Information about the meeting is available online at www.ndow.org.