Decent waterfowl numbers in forecast

A Sthe waterfowl hunting seasons begin in Nevada, hunters can expect good bird numbers if the weather cooperates. Not record numbers, but good ones.

Of course, cooperative weather conditions mean cold temperatures and overcast skies, rather than the bluebird weather we have had during recent hunting seasons.

According to the 2018 Waterfowl Population Status report published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- vice, the estimated breeding duck population numbered about 41.2 million birds during the annual Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey. That survey is conducted each May and June by biologists from the FWS and the Canadian Wildlife Service.

The survey area covers about

1.3 million square miles in Alaska, Canada and the north central United States. Along with counting birds, the biologists assess the habitat and its ability to support waterfowl populations. Though the estimate of 41.2 million birds represents a drop of 13 percent from the 2017 figure of 47.3 million, the overall breeding duck population remains 17 percent higher than the long-term average.

Habitat conditions during the survey were similar to those observed in 2017, but there was a noticeable drop of 14 percent in the number of ponds in the Canadian prairie and north central U.S. As the number of ponds drops, it only makes sense that we will see a decline in bird numbers.

Another possible factor in the overall decline in duck numbers was temperature extremes. In February, March and April, temperatures in breeding areas were well below average. And right behind those came above-average temperatures in May.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife is reminding boaters to wear their life jackets, pay attention to the weather forecast and adjust their on-thewater activities accordingly. Between storms, anglers are reeling in 1- to 3-pound stripers. Warm nighttime temperatures are making for good catfish action. Try using anchovies in deep coves. Largemouth bass are biting from shore during the evening hours at Temple bar. The fish are taking pumpkin-colored worms and jigs. They also have been hitting jerkbaits near the Boulder Islands.

At the south end of the reservoir, there has been more action for largemouth and smallmouth bass than stripers. Silver poppers and watermelon-colored worms are getting the action. Anglers are finding the black bass along shelves in coves. Over the weekend, anglers caught a few nice stripers with Bomber Long A’s in the Cottonwood Basin.

Stripers are biting on trout and shad imitations from below Davis Dam south through Casino Row. Fish in the 2- and 3-pound range are biting all the way down past the Big Bend State Recreation Area. Bluegill and green sunfish are biting on worms close to shore in the vegetation and shadows. Below Big Bend, trout are biting on worms fished from shore.

Slightly cooler temperatures are slowing the action for warm water fish, but bluegill, bass and catfish are remaining active until the hottest parts of the day. The fish are taking mealworms and night crawlers, with the catfish also taking hot dogs and chicken gizzards. The NDOW planted catfish at Lorenzi, Sunset, Veterans Memorial and Floyd Lamb parks Friday. The last catfish plant of the season will take place this month.

Rainbow trout were planted at Haymeadow Reservoir in the last week of September. Additional plants are expected at Cold Springs and Adams-mcgill this week. With storms expected to hit the area this week, NDOW encourages visitors to use extreme caution while traveling around the management area.

Fishing action has been very good, with many anglers catching their limits. Bait fishermen are doing well using night crawlers with a bit of mini-marshmallow. Fly fishers are catching rainbow trout and crappie using Hares Ear nymphs in olive or natural colorations near the dam. The water remains low but should start to rise with the rain expected this week, and an expected reduction in the amount of water used for irrigation.

The water level remains low, making the shoreline a little muddy, but action off the dam remains good. Rainbow trout, crappie and small bass are taking a variety of lures, while bait fishers are doing well using Powerbait in rainbow sparkle, green or orange colorations, or night crawlers with mini-marshmallow.

Fly Tying Tuesdays continue at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Las Vegas NDOW office, 4747 Vegas Drive. The free class is open to those 8 years and older who want to learn how to create their own fishing flies.

“The dip in the population for prairie-breeding puddle ducks is not unexpected and by no means unprecedented given that conditions on the prairies this spring were drier than last year,” said Tom Moorman, chief scientist for Ducks Unlimited, on the organization’s website.

“As a result, 2018 populations dropped accordingly. However, populations of all key species except northern pintails and scaup remain above long-term averages. This year’s breeding population decline is a reminder of the need to sustain the capacity of breeding habitats, particularly in the prairies as we go through natural variation in wetland conditions. Waterfowl populations are adapted well to short-term swings in habitat conditions, but we must continue to guard against the long-term loss of prairie breeding habitat.”

Habitat is something DU knows about. Since its founding in 1937, the organization has conserved more than 14.1 million acres of waterfowl habitat in Canada, Mexico andtheu.s.

In Nevada, hunters can expect to see fewer ducks and other waterfowl on the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. Low water conditions are expected to continue well into the fall.

Elko County wildfire

Hunters traveling to Northern Nevada for opening day of deer season should be aware that another wildland fire is burning in Elko County, this time in Area 10.

Known as the Range 2 Fire, it has grown to almost 8,900 acres.

The fire started in Spring Creek on Sunday and burned its way into the Ruby Mountains, particularly Lamoille Canyon. The U.S. Forest Service has issued a closure for the canyon.

Since Area 10 covers a large geographical area, the closure at Lamoille Canyon should have little impact on hunting activity if firefighters can quickly contain the fire.

Youth waterfowl hunt

Youths wanting to participate in a waterfowl hunt Oct. 13 at the Overton Wildlife Management Area can make reservations starting Monday at the Nevada Department of Wildlife office in Las Vegas, 4747 Vegas Drive.

Hunting in Arizona

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is accepting applications for 2019 spring turkey, javelina, bison and bear hunts. Applications can be submitted at draw.azgfd. com. The deadline is Tuesday.

Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

His “In the Outdoors” column, published Thursday in the Las Vegas Review-journal, is not affiliated with or endorsed by NDOW. Any opinions are his own. Find him on Facebook at @ dougwritesoutdoors. He can be reached at intheoutdoorslv@gmail. com.