Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Forecast mixed for bird hunters

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000 | 10:32 a.m.

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

It may not feel like it, but fall is just around the corner. There are a couple of signs that are so subtle they may seem imperceptible.

For instance, the angle of the earth has changed so that the sun is lower in the sky. In areas north of here, the low temperatures of the day are already near freezing. Soon, the quaking aspen leaves will start to change colors. While we bask in the Southwestern sun, Indian summer will engulf the rest of the country.

As the subtle changes in the climate appear, thoughts turn to hunting. Some of the latest news is good for hunters. And others isn't quite as good.

The good news is there are going to be plenty of ducks flying north this fall. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has just released its annual index predicting the number of ducks ready to migrate, the index is 90 million. That includes 11.3 million mallards, down considerably from last year's record high of 13.6 million.

Though the overall flight number has decreased from last year's 105 million birds, 90 million is still very good, according to officials at Ducks Unlimited. Prior to last year's record-breaking number, the record index was 92 million in 1997, making this year's fall flight the third-highest on record.

Dr. Bruce Batt, DU's Chief Biologist, said, "This is a very encouraging fall flight outlook following the dry conditions that existed across most of the breeding grounds early last spring. The spring rains make all the difference."

Batt explains that since conditions were dry in early spring, many early breeding birds, such as mallards and pintails, probably overflew their nesting areas. When the rains finally fell in late May and early June, better habitat was available for breeding ducks, which will ultimately mean more ducks in the fall flight.

While overall duck populations are high, the status of the pintail and scaup species is still a concern. The populations of these two waterfowl species continue to fall behind the others.

Batt also expresses a less urgent concern for Arctic geese. "Arctic geese have generally had a poor production year, making them vulnerable," he said.

While the news for ducks is good, the news regarding other resident species of Southern Nevada birds isn't quite so bright. Upland game bird hunters may be in for a difficult season in the southern end of the state based on the results of surveys conducted by the Nevada Division of Wildlife.

Kraig Beckstrand, NDOW supervising game biologist, said quail brood sizes this year are five to six birds, well below the 14 to 18 in good years and 22 to 24 in excellent years. Chukar partridge, which live at a different elevation, are faring slightly better.

Beckstrand said that quail will be in short supply this year in some of the traditional hunting areas, such as Gold Butte and the Searchlight area. Somewhat better hunting is forecast for areas in southern Lincoln County.

Those interested in hunting turkeys this fall have until 5 p.m. Friday to get their applications to the hunt application office in Fallon to be eligible for the upcoming tag drawing.

A total of 45 resident either-sex tags will be issued for Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area in Lyon County (near Yerington) with an additional 10 tags for Moapa Valley in Clark County. Tags are $20 and there is a $5 non-refundable application fee.

All applications must be received by mail. Application forms are available at most stores that sell hunting licenses and Nevada Division of Wildlife offices at 4747 W. Vegas Drive in Las Vegas and 744 South Racetrack Road in Henderson.