Columnist Barb Henderson: Sportsmen, conservation group out for a WHIN-ing cause

Barb Henderson

Friday, April 9, 2004 | 9:41 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.

Each year, there are numerous wildlife conservation organizations who hold annual banquets for local sportsmen and sportswomen to attend. While these folks take delight in a delicious meal and enjoy the camaraderie of good friends, everyone attending these important banquets hopes enough money will be raised to make a difference.

The Wildlife and Habitat Improvement of Nevada, more commonly referred to as WHIN, has scheduled its annual banquet for Saturday, May 15 at the Gold Coast hotel-casino. WHIN is a non-profit sportsmen and conservation organization devoted to the maintenance and betterment of Nevada's wildlife populations and their habitat.

"WHIN is devoted to wildlife and habitat in Nevada because we care about Nevada's specific community of environment and wildlife and want to keep both healthy," said Wayne Bliss president of Wildlife and Habitat Improvement of Nevada.

Money raised from membership fees, donations and the annual banquet, go toward wildlife and habitat improvements (guzzlers, water developments, relocating and releasing wildlife, habitat projects, etc.) within the silver state. WHIN has also purchased materials for field projects and made contributions to state agencies such as the Nevada Department of Wildlife for wildlife research and habitat improvements.

"People who enjoy hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing have all benefited from the work that has been done by the organization's dedicated members. They have placed equal importance on all wildlife, from elk in the Spring Range to trout in mountain streams to waterfowl and neotropical birds that pass through our state on their migrations," said Geoffrey Schneider NDOW information and education supervisor.

A compiled list of these projects, can be found on the organization's website at: www.whinlv.org

Members have contributed time, energy and money to other non-profit wildlife conservation organizations. An act, that's not uncommon among conservation organizations join forces and work together as one-group on a multitude of wildlife projects.

Most of us realize that this type of work requires money. No doubt, the reason WHIN hopes to raise a bundle at this year's banquet Saturday, May 15. A variety of items will be available that night during numerous ticket-drawing opportunities. Bliss, who has been president since 1999, says the list of items for this years banquet continue to grow.

For hunters, there will be a Nevada Wildlife Heritage Fund mule deer tag listed as one of the items on the auction block, along with many other great items.

For more information on the Wildlife and Habitat Improvement of Nevada organization, projects, monthly meetings and/or to purchase tickets for the banquet, just click on the Internet at: www.whinlv.org

On April 14, the $1.6 million, four-event Elite 50 series kicks off on Arkansas' Lake Dardanelle. The field combines the 27 top performers over the past three Tour seasons with the top 20 anglers from the BASS all-time money list, as well as the newly crowned CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year Gerald Swindle, BASS Rookie of the Year Greg Hackney and reigning CITGO Bassmaster Classic champion Michael Iaconelli.

Every angler is guaranteed to earn a check. The most successful competitor after the four events, based on points, will win $150,000; last place takes home $20,000. And the top 10 anglers in the Elite 50 standings qualify for the 2004 Classic.