32 wildlife projects up for more than $500,000 in funds

Nevada wildlife commissioners will decide how to spend more than half a million dollars in hunting stamp funds on Friday and Saturday.

A total of 32 projects are up for money using duck stamp and upland game stamp funds.

The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Lovelock Community Center, 820 6th St.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife's Habitat Division Chief Dave Pulliam will present 22 projects totaling $373,969 in duck stamp funds for the commission's consideration and approval. Those include 10 projects focused on enhancing wetland habitat through cattail and noxious weed control and three waterfowl population and assessment studies. Additionally, the Toulon dike project will improve habitat through better water management in the wetlands on the Humboldt Wildlife Management Area.

A $10 duck stamp fee is paid by waterfowl hunters to fund these projects, all aimed at habitat enhancement, protection, and propagation of waterfowl.

Pulliam will also ask the commission to review and approve 10 projects totaling $131,754 using upland game stamp funds. An allocation of $160,000 will also pay salary for "guzzler" crews to maintain and develop water sources for wildlife.

The Upland Game Stamp projects are focused on water development and maintenance, habitat enhancement, and trapping, transplanting, and monitoring of upland game bird species. One project will introduce pheasants into the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area.

Hunters pursuing upland game birds fund these projects through purchase of a $10 stamp, and funds are used solely for the protection and propagation of upland game birds.

Saturday's agenda includes several items on which the commission may take action, including recommended changes to the junior wild turkey season in Lincoln County, quotas and units for wild turkey seasons, and various changes to sage grouse seasons.

The agenda and support materials can be viewed at: ndow.org/learn/com/mtg/.