Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Be alert for dry conditions

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000 | 10:01 a.m.

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

Waterfowl hunters scouting for the perfect spot this fall might find themselves "high and dry." Hunters will likely experience much drier conditions than they've enjoyed during the past few years. In some locations, boating may be difficult or impossible.

Although less water usually means fewer ducks, some areas that do have good water may attract high concentrations of waterfowl. It all depends on the timing of the migration, weather conditions in states to the east and north of Nevada, and percentage of waterfowl moving down the Pacific Flyway.

Here are the conditions hunters may find at a few of the more popular waterfowl areas in the region.

Stillwater NWR only has a few units that are projected to have water. Even in these units, water levels will be low and boat access will be difficult at best. Waterfowl food production was fair to poor this year.

If precipitation falls in November, habitat conditions may improve. Key Pittman has good habitat and forage conditions, but also suffered from low production this year. Forage conditions at Overton can also be found on the lower and upper bulrush plots. Fallow fields should green up by late October or early November and entice some birds. Early migrants, including a few mallards, pintails and one flight of geese have already been spotted on the WMA. Most of the state's duck season opens Oct. 7.

The lake is scheduled to be lowered by 13 feet over the next month to allow the National Park Service to replace asphalt launch ramps with concrete ramps at Cottonwood Cove and Willow Beach.

David Pfiffner, NDOW's supervising game warden, said boaters should be very cautious and be aware that submerged islands and other hazards may appear as the lake level drops.

The committee serves in an advisory capacity to the commission by making recommendations expending marine fuel taxes that are generated from fuel pumps at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Those funds are used for safety programs, equipment and educational projects that promote boating and water safety at Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and the Colorado River.

Meetings are held bimonthly and include briefings from various boating enforcement agencies such NDOW and the National Park Service.

Applications may be obtained by calling the Clark County Manager's Office at 455-3530. The applications must be received by Nov. 6.