Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Youngsters invited to waterfowl hunt

Paula DelGiudice

Thursday, Jan. 17, 2002 | 9:40 a.m.

Paula Del Giudice's outdooors column appears Thursday. Reach her at desertdenizens@aol.com.

Some of the best opportunities for families to take their young hunters afield are Nevada's youth hunts.

The last one of the season is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 26-27. Young hunters (ages 12-15) can participate in a special youth waterfowl hunt that weekend.

The best part of the youth hunt is that it is scheduled when there are no other hunters in the field, as the regular waterfowl season comes to an end on Jan. 20.

By the end of waterfowl season the birds have usually seen lots of hunting action and are pretty wary, but this hunt is still a good opportunity for young hunters to spend time in the outdoors.

Youngsters must be accompanied by an adult (who is not allowed to hunt or carry a firearm). The combined limit for the hunt is seven ducks, including no more than two hen mallards, one pintail, one canvasback, four scaup and two redheads. The limit on geese is two Canada and white-fronted geese and three snow and Ross' geese.

Hunters must have a valid Nevada hunting license, state and federal waterfowl stamps and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. To obtain a HIP number for this hunt, call (800) WET-LAND.

The hatchery, which is between Las Vegas Bay Marina and Lake Mead Marina, is open daily from 8-4. Visitors can view exhibits and see thousands of rainbow trout that are being reared at the site. Trout raised at the hatchery are stocked into Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, and public fishing waters in Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln and Nye counties.

Georgeanne Neubauer, a member of the preserve's staff, said bird watchers can now observe a variety of waterfowl, including pintail, green-winged teal, northern shoveler, bufflehead, goldeneye, canvasback, redhead, widgeon and ringneck ducks. Canada geese have also arrived at the area.

Neubauer said there is also a good representation of raptors including Peregrine, prairie and American kestrel falcons, golden eagles and northern harrier (marsh) hawks.

Cris Tomlinson, NDOW biologist, said the area is a good place to introduce youngsters to wildlife viewing.

The 147-acre preserve is at 3400 Moser Street in Henderson. Admission is free. Call 566-2940.

For more information or to make reservations call 293-8990.

"Many people don't realize that ice fishing is available by driving a few hours to the north in Lincoln and Nye counties," said Frank Chaves, supervising game warden for the Nevada Division of Wildlife.

Chaves said that Eagle Valley Reservoir is a good place for families to become initiated to ice fishing. It is located approximately 180 miles northeast of Las Vegas, about a 3 1/2-hour drive.