Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Conservation effort boosts duck count

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999 | 10:54 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at PDelGiudice@compuserve.com.

Now that we've turned the corner on summer, hunters are turning their thoughts toward hunting season.

For waterfowlers, there's really good news to report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Every year, the USF&WS creates an index to predict the total number of ducks that will fly south come autumn. This year the index number is 105 million. This represents a substantial increase over least year's index of 84 million, and eclipses the 1997 record-high of 92 million.

Especially good news is that the number of mallards is up substantially, to 13.6 million from 11.8 million last year. Waterfowl experts say this year's record numbers are the result of excellent water conditions and habitat provided through a variety of conservation programs.

"The fall flight index gives us a good idea about how ducks have responded to great nesting habitat and wetland conditions," said Don Young, the new executive vice president of Ducks Unlimited.

"The habitat conservation efforts of DU and many others have complemented Mother Nature's wonderful contributions of precipitation. In the late '90s, these factors have come together to produce some of the highest populations in decades. This is proof positive that restoring and protecting habitat to complement favorable climatic conditions will contribute to healthy and abundant waterfowl populations."

Though most populations are at record levels, there are still two duck species that continue to cause concern among waterfowl experts: pintail and scaup. Though populations have increased this year, there is still concern about their plight during the years when precipitation is not as abundant -- especially until population numbers are restored.

DU credits the North American Waterfowl Management Plan as the blueprint for restoring and managing the continent's waterfowl populations. Partnering with DU in the plan are government agencies, private landowners, corporations and other nonprofit conservation organizations.

Young cautions conservationists that although this fall's news is good, they should not lose focus.

"We continue to lose hundreds of thousands of wetland acres every year in North America. Furthermore, we need to be prepared for the next inevitable drought cycle. By continuing to make sure habitat is available in key areas, we can help sustain waterfowl when weather conditions aren't as favorable for ducks and other wetland-dependent species."

* BIGHORN BANQUET: It's not too late to purchase tickets for the Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn's annual banquet slated for Friday at the Stardust hotel-casino. For tickets or more information, contact Clint Bentley, fraternity president, at 367-8227.

* LAST CALL FOR TURKEY: Friday is the deadline for getting applications to the Hunt Application Office in Fallon for fall turkey hunts and sage grouse hunts on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.

Applications for both turkey and the special sage grouse hunt are available on the Nevada Division of Wildlife's web page and at all license agents in Southern Nevada.

The fee for tags is $25, which includes a $5 non-refundable application fee. NDOW's web site may be accessed at this address: www.state.nv.us/cnr/nvwildlife/.

* DOVE HUNTERS GET HIP: Hunters who will be pursuing migratory birds, including doves, need to obtain a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number before taking to the field, according to the Nevada Division of Wildlife.

Hunters may obtain a number by calling (800) WETLAND. A hunting license must be purchased before a number can be obtained. The number can be accessed 24 hours.

Information from the program is used by biologists to determine harvests and assist with management programs for migratory game birds such as doves and waterfowl.

* DOVE RIGHT OUT: Dove hunters may wish to avoid making the long trek to Wayne E. Kirch WMA during the upcoming season because of a lack of food for the birds this year.

Ron Mills, manager of Kirch, said the grain crop that is planted each spring in a field near the area's headquarters failed to grow this year due to a lack of moisture. The crop failure means there will be little feed for doves during the Sept. 1-30 season.

Each year the field is planted with a combination of grain for upland game birds. Because of a lack of rain, the crop did not germinate this year.

* RMEF BANQUET SET: The Las Vegas Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) will hold its annual big game banquet and auction Saturday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. in the Gold Coast hotel-casino's ballroom.

Funds from the banquet will be used on elk conservation projects in Nevada and across America. During the past 15 years more than $3 million has been spent by RMEF on elk and wildlife conservation projects in Nevada.

Tickets for the banquet are $70 for individuals and $110 for couples and include an annual RMEF membership. Tickets may be obtained by contacting Don Bell at 228-6559 or Jennifer Bell-Custer at 437-7957.