OUTDOOR BRIEFS

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS?

Volunteers needed at NDOW to teach others

The Nevada Department of Wildlife is looking to bolster its cadre of educational volunteers with good people who enjoy fishing, hunting or both and who have a desire to share those interests with others. Needed are dedicated volunteers with an interest in teaching others about the basics of fishing and the principles of safe and responsible hunting.

Those who are interested in becoming a volunteer angler or hunter education instructor can obtain more information by calling NDOW at 486-5127, Ext. 3503 for angler education and ext. 3501 for hunter education. New instructor training for hunter education will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 26 and for angler education, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 27.

STILL TIME TO GET OUT THERE

Fishing doesn't slow down in the fall

The kids are heading back to school and that means the days will grow shorter and most importantly cooler. Traditionally in Southern Nevada the fishing action in the urban ponds tends to drop off with the arrival of fall; warm water fish such as bass, bluegill and catfish don't bite as readily as they were during the warmer months. On the other hand, water temperatures are still too warm for trout plants, but at Lake Mead and Lake Mohave fall can be the most productive season for striped, small-mouth and large-mouth bass.

Various methods can be productive during this time of year, from bait fishing with anchovies, squid and shrimp to tossing lures, such as sassy shads, top water poppers, and rattle traps.

The best times to hit the water are early in the morning, late in the evening and even after dark. By 9 a.m., most of the fish have stopped feeding and won't resume feeding until nightfall.

CHANGE MADE

Card questionnaire deadline simplified

Hunters will be given longer to turn in their harvest return card questionnaires after a recent change made by the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners. Commissioners acted in August to allow hunters until Jan. 31 of each year to report their animal harvest from the previous hunt season. It was 15 weekdays after the close of each season.

The new deadline is 5 p.m. on Jan. 31 following the close of the season for which the tag was issued, or the next business day should Jan. 31 fall on a weekend. This new deadline applies to all 2007 big game hunts. This supersedes the deadline printed on hunters' tags.