Columnist Barb Henderson: Duck, goose season just around corner

Barb Henderson

Friday, Aug. 22, 2003 | 9:39 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

It might be difficult to think about duck and goose hunting seasons -- especially during the hot month of August, when outside temperatures are still reaching a scorching 100 degrees.

However, when a waterfowler envisions a duck or goose hunt, there will probably be a chill in the air.

More often than not, duck hunters would to be surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and be able to catch a glimpse of their own breath while waiting for waterfowl to approach the decoys that are floating freely upon the water.

Alongside on a cold morning huddled inside a hunting blind would be a faithful little hunting buddy called a Labrador Retriever.

The retriever's warm brown eyes stare upward toward the dark storm clouds that drift slowly across the sky. While the reflection from the clouds cast a dark backdrop to the wetlands below, the dog remains patient, sitting by his friend's side.

The lab eagerly waits for a loud "shot" sound that will come from the hunter's shotgun and the excitement of the command to "fetch" the downed fowl.

While the hunter waits for the arrival of duck and goose hunting seasons, waterfowlers probably count pintails, canvasbacks, mallards and redheads (instead of counting sheep) to fall asleep each night.

As each new day brings anticipation of getting closer to the excitement of opening day in the wetlands of Nevada.

NDOW announced that the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners have set Saturday, Oct. 11 as the opening day of duck hunting in most of the state while goose hunting gets under way one week later in most areas.

Duck hunting seasons will run from Oct. 11 through Jan. 24 statewide, except at the Overton Wildlife Management Area, which has a Nov. 1 through Jan. 24 season.

Canada and snow goose hunting will be Oct. 18 through Jan. 24, except for Overton Wildlife Management Area and Washoe Valley of Washoe County. Overton's goose season will be Nov. 1 through Jan. 24 and the Washoe Valley season will be Oct. 18 through Jan. 4.

A youth waterfowl hunt for youngsters 15 and younger will be Saturday, Sept. 27, in all counties except Clark and Lincoln. The youth hunt for Clark and Lincoln counties will be Saturday, Jan. 31.

Hunters are required to have a Harvest Information Program number written on their hunting license when hunting for doves and other migratory birds (waterfowl).

To obtain an HIP number, call (800) WETLAND.

The opening of the mourning dove hunting season will be Monday, Sept. 1. "Dove hunters are reminded that beginning this season, they are required to shoot nontoxic shot on all state wildlife management areas," said John McKay, NDOW southern region hunter education coordinator.

Hunters should always review Nevada's bird hunting regulations for new restrictions and changes. For complete information on Nevada's waterfowl seasons, upland game bird hunting seasons, dates, bag limits, hunting licenses, regulations and/or for general hunting information contact any of the Nevada Department of Wildlife offices or click on the Internet at: www.ndow.org