OUTDOOR BRIEFS

SALVAGING FISH

Draw down at Pahranagat begins

Citing concerns about the physical integrity of the outflow structure on the dam that forms Upper Pahranagat Lake, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has begun an emergency draw down of the water so the structure can be properly inspected. The lake is located just south of Alamo on the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, and has become a popular warm water fishery in recent years.

Anglers who take the time to fish this water rather than just drive by are often rewarded with crappie and large mouth bass.

During the coming weeks, fisheries biologists with the Nevada Department of Wildlife will be working to salvage as many game fish as possible before the water level gets too low and boat access becomes impossible. But the agency won't be able to save every fish.

"We will do what we can to salvage as many of the game fish we can," said Jon Sjoberg, supervising fisheries biologist for NDOW.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Get your kids into the great outdoors

If you're looking for something to do with the family that doesn't involve typical Las Vegas venues, grab the kids and head outside - outside your neighborhood and outside the urban scuttle that is. June is Great Outdoors Month, and both you and your kids can reap the benefits of spending time in Nevada's outdoors.

In the outdoors, teach your children to observe their surroundings, both in front and behind, so they can more easily recognize the way they came. They need to keep their eyes and ears wide open, and look all around, up close and into the distance.

Watching for animals is always fun, but kids may also want to watch for burrows and nests.

DAMAGE TO CROPS

Elk panel convenes in Lincoln County

Nevada's first Elk Damage Arbitration Panel convened in Lincoln County in May to settle a farmer's claim regarding elk damage to his alfalfa and potato fields. The panel met twice to settle the landowner claim for $57,000 in damages, which was reduced to $10,000.

Elk damage on private lands has been an issue in Lincoln County since the first complaint in the fall of 1989. Over the past 18 years NDOW has spent $116,281 for elk damage on private lands and spent $117,000 for installation of elk-proof fencing in various locations in Lincoln County.