Columnist Barb Henderson: Celebrate the holidays with a little time outdoors

Barb Henderson

Friday, Dec. 19, 2003 | 10:34 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.

With Christmas and the New Year fast approaching, I thought I would share a few outdoorsy ideas for you to ponder. Many sportsmen and sportswomen spend time, energy and money for wildlife and habitat throughout the year with a variety of conservation hunting and fishing programs.

For the New Year, why not consider becoming an active volunteer by getting involved. You'll discover many volunteer opportunities are available from a variety of local, state and national conservation wildlife organizations. Embrace one of the multitude recreational opportunities that can be experienced in the great outdoors.

The New Year can be a great time to introduce the outdoor world to someone new by inviting them to tag along with you next time your expedition heads toward an outdoor playground such as a recreational area or a wildlife refuge. Rain -- we can sure use precipitation for our environment and wildlife.

Let's hope the New Year will bring enough rainfall to fill up all of those water developments and/or guzzlers that have been constructed and maintained throughout the silver state for wildlife. Report a suspected wildlife poaching to Operation Game Thief, a program established to protect Nevada's Wildlife resources.

Start out the New Year by obtaining more information on how to be involved in the Operation Game Thief program by clicking on to the Internet at www.stoppoaching.org. Report a suspected poaching incident, by calling 800 992-3030, this toll free telephone number that can be found on your hunting and fishing license. You can make a difference. Make a point to always carry out more litter than you have carried in. Become an active participant during one or more of the organized cleanup activities that will be taking place during 2004. Children love to go fishing! Take a child fishing in 2004, if the adventure has been fun and exciting, the final results could have them hooked on the sport of fishing for the rest of their life. Hunting and Fishing 2003 licenses are valid through Feb. 29, 2004. Hunting and Fishing licenses for the 2004-2005 license year will b e available for sale by late February at most sporting good dealers, bait and tackle shops and at all of the Nevada Departm! ent of Wildlife (NDOW) offices. For information on hunting and fishing click on the Internet at: www.ndow.org Remember, to be prepared before heading outdoors. Hope this New Year will be a safe one. A few tips -- know your own limitations, use proper equipment, use common sense and always place safety your first priority. Imagine yourself in the New Year spending more time doing what you enjoy. Hike a new trail, camp at your favorite campground, navigate new waters, wet aline, enjoy a few rounds at the gun range, plan a hunting trip or just relax one-night under starlit skies. Shooting sports include archery, trap, skeet, sporting clays, cowboy action shooting, pistol and rife shooting and more. Aim toward the New Year by heading to one of the local gun ranges and enjoy one of the many shooting sports. Tomorrow's outdoor enthusiasts are today's youth. Find out how to get your child involved in scouting with the Girl Scouts of Frontier Council by calling 385-3677 or the Boulder! Dam Area Council Boy Scouts of America by calling 736-4366. Memories of hunting and fishing trips with family and friends can last a lifetime. Make new memories in 2004 by hooking on a fish or filling out an application to try your luck in the draw for a big-game hunting tag. The New Year is full of memories just waiting to happen. Allow extra time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday routines and head to the great outdoors. Plan now to spend more of your time next year enjoying your favorite outdoor recreation. Special time can be sought in the great outdoors during the holidays, from snowcapped mountains to the unique aroma of pine from a tree.

Whatever your reason for the season, discover nature's beauty and have a Happy New Year!