Columnist Barb Henderson: Rackin’ up good time with antlers galore

Barb Henderson

Friday, Feb. 14, 2003 | 9:31 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.

Thousands of sportsmen/women will be heading to Reno this month for two National Wildlife Conservation Organization conventions.

The third annual Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) National Convention is set for Feb. 21-23 at the Silver Legacy Resort and Casino while the 19th Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's (RMEF) National Elk Camp and Exposition is scheduled Feb. 27-March 2 at the Reno Hilton.

Attendees at both conventions will enjoy an exciting packed-full exhibit hall featuring wildlife art, outdoor gear, jewelry, outfitted hunting trips and more. In addition, there will be a wide variety of interesting topics presented at seminars.

During the MDF convention, a trophy deer display, sponsored by Eastman's Hunting Journal, will feature some of the largest deer ever taken in North America.

I'm honored to be emcee for the MDF ladies luncheon and for Saturday night's banquet.

The Mule Deer Foundation's mission is to ensure the conservation of mule and blacktail deer and their habitats. For more information, and/or to obtain ticket prices, click onto the Internet at: www.muledeer.org or call (888) 375-DEER.

During the RMEF convention, you should also check out the Great Elk Tour Display of trophy bull elk, featuring some of the largest bulls ever taken around the world.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat, and it was an honor for me to serve as spokesperson for last year's RMEF Elk Camp. For more information and/or to obtain ticket prices, click onto the Internet: www.elkfoundation.org or call (800) CALL-ELK.

On the subject of bulls and bucks, the mule deer and elk population statistics in Nevada have been released.

According to Mike Cox, Big Game NDOW Staff Biologist, the 2002 summer mule deer population estimate involves confidence limits of plus or minus 20 percent. So the true population could be as low as 86,400 or as high as 129,600 with the elk population estimated at approximately 6,600 (again plus or minus 20 percent).

Until next week, enjoy the great outdoors.