Columnist Barb Henderson: Mule deer enthusiasts gather

Barb Henderson

Friday, Jan. 14, 2005 | 9:33 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.

Sportsmen and sportswomen will be heading to Reno this weekend for the Mule Deer Foundation's Convention and Exposition at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

The Mule Deer Foundation's mission is to ensure the conservation of mule and blacktail deer and their habitats.

"Spirit of the West" is the theme for this year's convention. The convention will include: fundraising banquets, auctions, and seminars on hunting, outdoor equipment and deer-related issues. There will be a huge exhibit hall filled with wildlife art, hunting equipment, gear, clothing and an archery shooting gallery. There will also be games, drawings, door prizes, a ladies round-up luncheon, a volunteer recognition night and more.

Banquets tonight and Saturday will have a western theme.

NDOW has called an early end to the duck and goose hunting seasons, which had been scheduled to run through Jan. 23. The Jan. 29 youth waterfowl hunt as well as the upland game bird and rabbit hunts have been canceled at the area.

The programs will include: Petroglyph Wash, Arizona Hot Springs, Black Mesa, Pinto Valley, Liberty Bell Arch Hike, Railroad Tunnel Hike, Anniversary Mine Hike, Lovell Ridge Trek, Hamblin Mountain Hike, Redstone Discovery, Cranes Nest, North Bowl of Fire and Springs of the Desert, among others.

For information or reservations call the Alan Bible Visitor Center at 293-8990.