Columnist Barb Henderson: Grant helps fund family program

Barb Henderson

Friday, Sept. 19, 2003 | 10:13 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.

Nevada's hunting program received a boost when the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) awarded the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) with a $25,000 grant from its Hunting Heritage Partnership.

The grant money was aimed toward funding a Family Hunt Opportunity program.

The announcement was made during the International Association of State Fish and Wildlife Agencies annual meeting. A total of 18 state agencies will receive more than $500,000 in grant awards from the NSSF.

"The Hunting Heritage Partnership was established to help states launch or expand creative programs that help increase the number of hunters and hunting opportunities," said Paul Erhardt, spokesman for the NSSF.

"The Family Hunt program will go a long way in reaching those goals. With 172,000 anglers and 47,000 hunters spending $430 million in Nevada in 2001 -- enough to support 5,200 jobs in the state -- efforts to expand hunting by NDOW will help boost the economy in a state where already sportsmen generate $29 million in state tax revenue and outnumber members of labor unions."

The $25,000 will be targeted for clinics teaching hunter safety and responsibility, landowner relations, finding game and offer shooting practice. The clinics will be coupled with a NDOW-sponsored hunt for hunter education gradates and their parents, providing a trial hunting experience and social support for new hunters.

The money will target hunter education.

"We're excited about this partnership with NSSF. This funding will be used to develop programs that will get youngsters into the field and show them how much fun the sport of hunting is. At the same time, we will be teaching them to be responsible and safe hunters who are conservation minded," said Geoffrey Schneider, information and education officer for NDOW.

What a wonderful opportunity this NSSF program has provided to both shooting sports and hunting.

Agenda items include: proposed Nevada fishing seasons and regulations for 2004-05, a review of an environmental assessment from the National Park Service regarding management activities for bighorn sheep and minor changes to the state's upcoming waterfowl seasons.

The advisory board shares its recommendations to the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners for consideration during their meeting on Sept. 26 and 27 at the Bristlecone Convention Center in Ely.

Both meetings are open to the public and there will be a public comment.

Session topics include boat handling, rules of the road, docking and anchoring, required and recommended equipment, marine radiotelephone and trailering.

There is no charge for instruction. A small fee for course materials will be charged for each registered student.

To register or to receive more information about the course call (702) 255-3590.

The team is meeting to establish short-term goals and population objectives for elk management in Game Management Area 24. For more information, call NDOW at (702) 486-5127.

Desforges' 53 pounds, 2 ounces took the boater division's $50,000 first prize from former BASS winner Art Ferguson of St. Clair Shores, Mich., who brought in 52-9.

BASS is the world's largest fishing organization, sanctioning more than 20,000 tournaments worldwide through its Federation."