Outdoor Briefs

IMPORTANT COURSE

Hunter education classes
now available

Anyone planning to participate in Nevada's annual big game tag draw this spring will need to complete an official hunter education course if they were born after Jan. 1, 1960, and haven't already done so. Without a valid hunter education certificate, would-be hunters won't be able to purchase a Nevada hunting license, which means they can't participate in the draw.

Hunter education courses are offered year-round through the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The class schedule and course information is available online at the agency's website -- www.ndow.org. Registration is required and must be completed online as well. The class fee is $5.

The highest demand for classes comes between now and the middle of April, when tag applications are due. Martin Olson, hunter education coordinator for NDOW, says he wouldn't wait too long to register and complete the course. "We offer more than 80 classes throughout the year in the Southern Region alone, and many of those are scheduled between Jan. 1 and the tag application deadline," Olson said. "But every year, we have some people who wait until the absolute last minute to register for a class and then become angry when they are full. It's best to start early."

Nevada's hunter education course consists of two parts. The first is a home-study component, and the second is a traditional in-class experience. Students will need to obtain a workbook and its companion field guide to complete the home study portion of the class. The workbook must be completed before the student arrives for class. The home-study portion of the class also can be completed online at www.hunter-ed.com or www.hunterexam.com. There is a fee associated with these websites.

In addition to the principles of safe gun handling, students are introduced to outdoor ethics, principles of wildlife management and the basics of wilderness survival.

STICKING TO TRADITION

Free Nevada Duck stamp available to eligible hunters

Waterfowl hunters who purchased their 2010-11Nevada waterfowl stamp "privilege" online or at one of the new electronic point of sale sites and would like to have the physical stamp to go along with it can have one. And it won't cost them a cent.

Eligible hunters who would like a traditional stamp may request a free Nevada Duck Stamp when the hunting season for which they purchased their stamp privilege is over. The 2010-11 general waterfowl season ended in late January. To obtain their free stamp, a hunter must retrieve the appropriate order form from the NDOW website (www.ndow.org/wild/stamp/) and submit the completed form to the agency at the physical or e-mail addresses noted on the form. The completed form also may be hand-delivered or faxed. NDOW must receive the request for a 2011 Nevada Duck Stamp by March 31.

Applicants can expect to receive their stamp by the end of April. Only one free stamp per license year will be provided to the requester upon verification of eligibility. The stamp will be mailed to the requester.