Paula Del Giudice: It’s fund-raising season

Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

THERE'S A LOT more to keep track of during the fall than just hunting and fishing news. It's the time of year when many organizations are holding fund-raisers. This year, local waterfowl enthusiasts have much to celebrate as they gather to raise money for ducks and waterfowl habitat.

Tickets are on sale for the Las Vegas Chapter of Ducks Unlimited annual Sportsman's Extravaganza dinner scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8 at the Rio Suites.

The dinner will feature entertainment, raffle drawings and silent and live auctions featuring sports equipment, artwork and outdoor-related merchandise. Last year, the Las Vegas Chapter raised over $100,000 to benefit wetlands and dependent species.

Tickets are $100 and include an annual membership to Ducks Unlimited. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Mark Sewald at 877-6035.

Hunting mixed bag

Deer hunters can breathe a collective sigh of relief that the weather is changing. If precipitation falls on top of these cold temperatures, hunting ought to be just dandy. I would be much happier about the sudden shift in the weather if I had a deer tag.

According to Nevada Division of Wildlife reports, hunters are experiencing a slow season for quail and a good season for ducks.

Quail hunters in the Gold Butte and Mormon mountains reported limited success. Those reporting have had virtually no success in areas south of Las Vegas.

Chukar hunters trying their luck in the Mount Potosi and Mount Stirling areas also are having little success. Pheasant hunters had poor results during the last weekend's limited Clark County hunt. According to NDOW, the 84 hunters who tried their luck at Overton Wildlife Management Area only managed to harvest six pheasants and 10 quail.

Duck hunters, on the other hand, experienced good luck at the opening of that season at Kirch WMA in Nye County. According to NDOW, 106 hunters harvested 426 ducks on Saturday, mostly green-winged teal, mallards and gadwalls.

Goose hunting opened last Saturday in all counties except Clark and Lincoln. Duck hunting in Clark and Lincoln counties gets under way Saturday, Nov. 2.

Carp eradication

Upper Pahranagat Lake and the upper marsh area are being treated with a fish toxicant to eradicate carp. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NDOW are cooperating in the project.

In order to assist in the eradication, water levels on the upper lake have been lowered.

Carp have been a persistent problem at Pahranagat since they were introduced into the system more than a century ago. The bottom feeders cause siltation in the lake which makes the water murky and hinders growth of aquatic vegetation.

Removal of carp will benefit game fish, waterfowl and migratory birds. Plans call for the lake to be stocked with game fish in the spring.

Though carp inhabit the stream that feeds the upper lake, it cannot be treated due to concerns for native fish that also inhabit the stream. A fish barrier has been constructed to prevent carp from returning to the lake.

* MESQUITE SHOOT: Target shooters will want to mark Nov. 1, 2, and 3 on the calendar. This year Si Redd's Oasis Ranch and Gun Club's End of Trail Shoot will offer more than $10,000 in cash, trophies and prizes. The cost is $160 for Sporting Clays and $80 for Five-Stand. Classes also will be held for ladies, seniors and juniors, each $125. A steak fry will be held for all shooters. To register, call 1-800-21-OASIS or (702) 346-5232, ext. 3729.

* RED MAN ANGLING: Best wishes go to local anglers headed to Lake Havasu to compete in the Operation Bass' Red Man Regional Championship starting today and running through Friday. At stake will be $22,750 in cash and prizes and one of four spots in the Red Man All-American to be held June 2-7, 1997, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The 60 anglers competing this week represent two Red Man divisions: Colorado River (Arizona and Nevada) and Western (California).