spectr17
12-11-2002, 07:16 PM
2002-2003 Early Waterfowl Synopsis
NDOW
A summary of information about the waterfowl hunts in the western, eastern and southern regions follow:
WESTERN REGION
Carson Lake
Youth Hunt
46 hunters took 144 birds for a 3.0 bird per hunter average. Mallard, Green Winged Teal and Shoveler were the three most common species taken.
Opening Weekend
Saturday: 374 hunters took 1478 birds for a 3.95 bird/hunter average. Green Winged Teal, Shoveler and Mallard were the top three species.
Sunday: 153 hunters, 338 birds, 2.2 birds/hunter. G.W. Teal, Mallard, Shoveler.
First Week (includes opening weekend)
644 hunters, 2004 birds, 3.11 birds/hunter. Gadwall, G.W. Teal, Shoveler.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Water levels are slightly lower than previous years and similar to last year. Water levels should remain stable or slightly increase the rest of the season. Feed conditions are good. Motorized boats are allowed on Wed., Sat. and Sun. beginning Nov. 16. Approximately 40,600 ducks and 230 Canada geese were on the area prior to the season opening. Shoveler, Green Wing Teal and Gadwall were the top three species observed.
Stillwater NWR
Youth Hunt
No data available.
Opening Weekend
300-400 hunters participated with an average harvest of 1.5-2.0 ducks per hunter. Green Wing Teal, Gadwall and Pintail were the top three species bagged.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Water levels are lower than last years, but good volumes of water are currently being delivered to the units. Water levels are expected to increase throughout the fall and winter. Feed conditions are excellent. Bird counts taken on October 10, just prior to the season opener, revealed approximately 48,000 ducks and 400 Canada Geese.
Fernley WMA
Area is dry.
Alkali Lake WMA
Area is dry.
Humboldt WMA
Area is dry.
Mason Valley WMA
Youth Hunt
No formal check station (hunter return cards only).
34 total people participated, 21 hunters took 15 birds for a 0.71 bird/hunter average.
Opening Weekend
Sat. 119 hunters, 214 birds (205 ducks, 9 Canada geese), 1.8 birds/hunter.
Sun. 61 hunters, 54 birds (all ducks), .89 bird/hunter
First week of season (10/14 20)
18 hunters, 16 birds, .89 bird/hunter.
Second week (10/21 27)
26 hunters, 37 birds, 1.42 birds/hunter.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Water levels are fair in the Mason Valley unit and poor in the Bolster unit. Steady water flows to units should improve Mason Valley unit, but little change is expected for Bolster unit. Feed conditions are fair. Dry conditions over the summer limited plant growth, but current water deliveries should improve feed conditions over the season. Recently, weather conditions have improved and a large number of migratory ducks and approximately 100 Canada geese have moved on to the area. A preseason (October 10, 2002) survey counted approximately 2,000 ducks. Mallard, Green Winged Teal and Gadwall were the three top species.
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EASTERN REGION
Franklin Lake WMA
Area is dry.
Ruby Lake NWR
Youth Hunt
1 hunter, 1 bird, 1 bird/hunter average.
Opening weekend
Sat. 22 hunters, 48 birds, 2.20 birds/hunter, Gadwall, Green Winged Teal and Northern Shoveler were the top three species.
Sun. 5 hunters, 4 birds, 0.8 bird/hunter
Mon. 2 hunters, 1 bird, 0.5 bird/hunter
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Water levels are low, which translates to shallow depths and excellent feed conditions for diving and dabbling ducks. The area is currently in a freeze/thaw cycle with a good bit of open water. Spring- head ponds remain open later in the season after the rest of the area freezes. A survey taken on September 20, 2002 revealed 8,000 10,000 birds on the areas.
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SOUTHERN REGION
Key Pittman WMA
Youth Hunt
This area is in Lincoln County and will hold its Youth Hunt on Jan. 25 26, 2003.
Opening Weekend
43 hunters, 86 ducks, 2.0 birds/hunter. Pintail, Green Winged Teal and Mallard were three top species.
Third week of season (goose opener)
35 hunters, 29 ducks, 5 geese, 0.97 birds/hunter.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Lake levels are extremely low, but flows have been increased. Water levels should improve as season progresses. Feed conditions are better than normal. Bird usage should increase as water levels improve. A preseason survey counted 3,000 4,000 ducks on the area. Pintail, Green Winged Teal and Mallard were three top species.
Kirch WMA
Youth Hunt
Five parties, 15 birds, 2.0 birds/hunter average. Green Winged Teal, Mallard and Bufflehead were the three top species. 2 geese were also taken.
Opening Weekend
136 hunters, 121 successful for an 89% success rate. 461 birds, 3.8 bird/hunter average. Green Winged Teal, Shoveler and Ruddy were three most common species.
After opening weekend no formal checks are conducted, hunters are contacted on a random basis. Based on these contacts, a 2.0 birds/hunter average is estimated.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Adams McGill has been drained for repairs and habitat enhancement and will be refilled in late 2003. All other reservoirs are at prescribed levels. Feed conditions are good throughout the area. Old Place Reservoir was planted with new food plots and is receiving significant bird usage. A survey conducted on Sept. 20 counted 2,010 ducks and 267 geese.
Overton WMA
Youth Hunt
This area is in Clark County and will hold its Youth Hunt on Jan. 25 26, 2003.
Opening Weekend (Nov. 2)
89 hunters, 63 ducks, 13 Canada geese, 1 Snow goose, 0.7 bird/hunter average.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Lake Mead water level has receded below WMA boundary, consequently most lake blinds are dry and unavailable. Otherwise, conditions on area are good to excellent. Pond levels are good. Two new fields have substantial green-up and are providing excellent feed and cover. Two series of alkali bulrush have been rehabbed are receiving significant bird use. A preseason survey (October 30, 2002) counted 1800 ducks, 210 Canada, 2 white front geese. Green Winged Teal, Mallard and Cinnamon Teal were the top three species.
NDOW
A summary of information about the waterfowl hunts in the western, eastern and southern regions follow:
WESTERN REGION
Carson Lake
Youth Hunt
46 hunters took 144 birds for a 3.0 bird per hunter average. Mallard, Green Winged Teal and Shoveler were the three most common species taken.
Opening Weekend
Saturday: 374 hunters took 1478 birds for a 3.95 bird/hunter average. Green Winged Teal, Shoveler and Mallard were the top three species.
Sunday: 153 hunters, 338 birds, 2.2 birds/hunter. G.W. Teal, Mallard, Shoveler.
First Week (includes opening weekend)
644 hunters, 2004 birds, 3.11 birds/hunter. Gadwall, G.W. Teal, Shoveler.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Water levels are slightly lower than previous years and similar to last year. Water levels should remain stable or slightly increase the rest of the season. Feed conditions are good. Motorized boats are allowed on Wed., Sat. and Sun. beginning Nov. 16. Approximately 40,600 ducks and 230 Canada geese were on the area prior to the season opening. Shoveler, Green Wing Teal and Gadwall were the top three species observed.
Stillwater NWR
Youth Hunt
No data available.
Opening Weekend
300-400 hunters participated with an average harvest of 1.5-2.0 ducks per hunter. Green Wing Teal, Gadwall and Pintail were the top three species bagged.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Water levels are lower than last years, but good volumes of water are currently being delivered to the units. Water levels are expected to increase throughout the fall and winter. Feed conditions are excellent. Bird counts taken on October 10, just prior to the season opener, revealed approximately 48,000 ducks and 400 Canada Geese.
Fernley WMA
Area is dry.
Alkali Lake WMA
Area is dry.
Humboldt WMA
Area is dry.
Mason Valley WMA
Youth Hunt
No formal check station (hunter return cards only).
34 total people participated, 21 hunters took 15 birds for a 0.71 bird/hunter average.
Opening Weekend
Sat. 119 hunters, 214 birds (205 ducks, 9 Canada geese), 1.8 birds/hunter.
Sun. 61 hunters, 54 birds (all ducks), .89 bird/hunter
First week of season (10/14 20)
18 hunters, 16 birds, .89 bird/hunter.
Second week (10/21 27)
26 hunters, 37 birds, 1.42 birds/hunter.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Water levels are fair in the Mason Valley unit and poor in the Bolster unit. Steady water flows to units should improve Mason Valley unit, but little change is expected for Bolster unit. Feed conditions are fair. Dry conditions over the summer limited plant growth, but current water deliveries should improve feed conditions over the season. Recently, weather conditions have improved and a large number of migratory ducks and approximately 100 Canada geese have moved on to the area. A preseason (October 10, 2002) survey counted approximately 2,000 ducks. Mallard, Green Winged Teal and Gadwall were the three top species.
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EASTERN REGION
Franklin Lake WMA
Area is dry.
Ruby Lake NWR
Youth Hunt
1 hunter, 1 bird, 1 bird/hunter average.
Opening weekend
Sat. 22 hunters, 48 birds, 2.20 birds/hunter, Gadwall, Green Winged Teal and Northern Shoveler were the top three species.
Sun. 5 hunters, 4 birds, 0.8 bird/hunter
Mon. 2 hunters, 1 bird, 0.5 bird/hunter
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Water levels are low, which translates to shallow depths and excellent feed conditions for diving and dabbling ducks. The area is currently in a freeze/thaw cycle with a good bit of open water. Spring- head ponds remain open later in the season after the rest of the area freezes. A survey taken on September 20, 2002 revealed 8,000 10,000 birds on the areas.
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SOUTHERN REGION
Key Pittman WMA
Youth Hunt
This area is in Lincoln County and will hold its Youth Hunt on Jan. 25 26, 2003.
Opening Weekend
43 hunters, 86 ducks, 2.0 birds/hunter. Pintail, Green Winged Teal and Mallard were three top species.
Third week of season (goose opener)
35 hunters, 29 ducks, 5 geese, 0.97 birds/hunter.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Lake levels are extremely low, but flows have been increased. Water levels should improve as season progresses. Feed conditions are better than normal. Bird usage should increase as water levels improve. A preseason survey counted 3,000 4,000 ducks on the area. Pintail, Green Winged Teal and Mallard were three top species.
Kirch WMA
Youth Hunt
Five parties, 15 birds, 2.0 birds/hunter average. Green Winged Teal, Mallard and Bufflehead were the three top species. 2 geese were also taken.
Opening Weekend
136 hunters, 121 successful for an 89% success rate. 461 birds, 3.8 bird/hunter average. Green Winged Teal, Shoveler and Ruddy were three most common species.
After opening weekend no formal checks are conducted, hunters are contacted on a random basis. Based on these contacts, a 2.0 birds/hunter average is estimated.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Adams McGill has been drained for repairs and habitat enhancement and will be refilled in late 2003. All other reservoirs are at prescribed levels. Feed conditions are good throughout the area. Old Place Reservoir was planted with new food plots and is receiving significant bird usage. A survey conducted on Sept. 20 counted 2,010 ducks and 267 geese.
Overton WMA
Youth Hunt
This area is in Clark County and will hold its Youth Hunt on Jan. 25 26, 2003.
Opening Weekend (Nov. 2)
89 hunters, 63 ducks, 13 Canada geese, 1 Snow goose, 0.7 bird/hunter average.
Habitat Conditions and Bird Counts
Lake Mead water level has receded below WMA boundary, consequently most lake blinds are dry and unavailable. Otherwise, conditions on area are good to excellent. Pond levels are good. Two new fields have substantial green-up and are providing excellent feed and cover. Two series of alkali bulrush have been rehabbed are receiving significant bird use. A preseason survey (October 30, 2002) counted 1800 ducks, 210 Canada, 2 white front geese. Green Winged Teal, Mallard and Cinnamon Teal were the top three species.