Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Hunting license sales undergo slight decline

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000 | 10:15 a.m.

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

Hunting license sales increased in half of the states in 1998, according to an analysis by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Twenty-five states reported increases in the sales of hunting licenses, while 24 reported declines and one had no change. The previous year, 32 states showed decreases and 18 had increases.

Changes in the majority of states were small and reflected the statistically insignificant drop in the national hunting license sales total, which declined only one-tenth of a percent. The previous year, national sales fell by 2 percent.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 14,891,855 hunting licenses were purchased in 1998, only slightly less than the 14,906,826 million reported in 1997. (For statistical purposes, a "paid license holder" represents one hunter, regardless of how many types of licenses the hunter purchased.)

While the falloff was slight, it was nevertheless a decline, so hunting license sales have now fallen in nine of the last 10 years. The last time there was an increase was in 1992.

Of the top 10 or "core" hunting states, five showed increases (Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and North Carolina) and five showed decreases (Pennsylvania, New York, Tennessee, Minnesota and Missouri).

States with the largest increases were Wyoming, Kansas, North Carolina, New Mexico and Arizona.

The number of hunters in Nevada jumped from 55,380 in 1997 to 57,563 in 1998.

* 'TIS THE SEASONS: Some hunting seasons are winding down while some are just gearing up. This Saturday marks the closure of the duck season in all counties except Clark and Lincoln. The duck season in Clark and Lincoln counties as well as the statewide goose season ends on Saturday, Jan. 22.

Though some reports of excellent hunting in Southern Nevada occurred on private lease land, the hunting on the state-owned wildlife management areas was largely disappointing throughout the entire duck season.

While waterfowlers begin to pack away their dekes for the season, turkey hunters are just beginning to look hopeful. Those interested in applying for the limited number of spring turkey tags must get their application in to the Hunt Application Office in Fallon by Friday, Jan. 28, to be entered in the upcoming tag drawing.

A total of 15 tags are available for Moapa Valley in Clark County with another 60 being offered for Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area in Lyon County near Yerington.

Applications are available at most stores that sell hunting licenses and at the NDOW offices, 4747 Vegas Drive in Las Vegas and 744 South Racetrack Road in Henderson.

* HERITAGE PROJECT: The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners is seeking project proposals that will be funded through the state's Wildlife Heritage Trust Account for the enhancement of the state's wildlife.

Proposals should be submitted for consideration by mid-March and will be reviewed by the county wildlife advisory boards before being considered by the commission at a meeting on May 6.

Money or the Wildlife Heritage Account comes primarily from the sale of big-game bid tags and the Partnership in Wildlife tag drawings. Information may be obtained at the Nevada Division of Wildlife office on Vegas Drive.

* WATERFOWL DRAWINGS: Youngsters 15 and younger may participate in a special youth waterfowl hunt that will be held in Clark and Lincoln counties on Saturday, Jan. 29.

A drawing for youngsters who wish to hunt that day at Key Pittman or Overton Wildlife management areas will be held Monday, Jan. 24 at 8 a.m. at the Nevada Division of Wildlife.

Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult 18-older who will not be allowed to hunt. Youngsters 12-15 must have Nevada hunting licenses and federal and state duck stamps when waterfowl hunting.