Columnist Paula Del Guidice: Deadline nears for big game license

Thursday, April 18, 2002 | 9:36 a.m.

Paula Del Giudice's outdoors column appears Thursday. She can be reached at desertdenizens@aol.com.

The Nevada Division of Wildlife would like to remind hunters that the application deadline for Nevada big game hunts is rapidly approaching. Applications must be received either through an authorized mail service or entered online by 5 p.m. April 22. Any applications received after the 5 p.m. deadline will not be included in the computer drawings.

Around 76,000 informational packets were mailed to hunters in mid-March. Wildlife Administrative Services, which processes the applications, reports they have received approximately 23,000 completed applications, with only 7,000 having been received through the mail. The new online tag application is proving to be the most popular way for hunters to apply.

The Board of Wildlife Commissioners adopted new regulations for 2002 that significantly changed the way hunters apply for tags. For the first time, hunters (both resident and non-resident) can apply for tags using their credit card online at www.huntnevada.com. There is a $2 fee per tag application for this service. Besides the convenience of applying this way, applications are also checked for accuracy and tag fees will not be subtracted from the applicant's credit card unless they are successful in drawing a tag.

Additional information that will assist hunters in applying for tags, including harvest statistics and last year's draw odds, are available on the Nevada Division of Wildlife's website at www.nevadadivisionof wildlife.org, under the "Hunt Nevada 2000" heading.

Operation Game Thief is a NDOW law enforcement program that encourages concerned citizens to report wildlife violations. Anyone witnessing a potential wildlife violation can call (800) 992-3030 to report the violation, anonymously if they wish, and may receive a reward up to $1,000 upon conviction.

Each year hunters who are unsuccessful in the tag drawing can donate all or part of their tag fee refund to OGT. The program relies almost entirely on these donations for its funding, according to NDOW.

Volunteers will be assisting NDOW personnel with salvaging largemouth bass from the lake, which is being drained. The salvage began on Monday and will continue until water levels become too low to continue.

Dana Johnson, Kirch manager, said the lake is being drained to eliminate emergent aquatic vegetation which is harmful to bass and other wildlife. The lake has not been drained since it was purchased by NDOW in 1959.

After being drained, NDOW will erect waterfowl nesting platforms and construct a boat ramp on the lake's upper end. Deep holes will be blown into the lake to enhance bottom structure for largemouth bass.

"The draining is being done to maintain peak productivity for the lake. We realize that it will be a sacrifice to have this important water dry for a period of time, but ultimately it will have very positive benefits for waterfowl hunters and fishermen," Johnson said.

Bass that are removed from the lake will be released into Comins Lake near Ely and at Cold Springs and Haymeadow reservoirs at Kirch. Plans call for refilling of the lake to begin in fall 2003, as water becomes available.

To volunteer, contact Johnson at (775) 233-6494.06