OUTDOOR BRIEFS

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Don't wait to take hunter education class

If you want to go hunting in Nevada, completion of a hunter education course is mandatory. And though the fall hunting seasons are still a couple of months away, the Nevada Department of Wildlife doesn't recommend waiting until the last minute to meet this requirement.

"People always seem to wait until just before the hunts begin before they start looking for a hunter education class, but periods of highest demand are generally right before the start of a new season or the big-game tag draw. These classes generally fill up fast," said Doug Nielsen, conservation educator for NDOW. "The agency offers classes throughout the year, so there is no reason to wait until the last minute to get that hunter education card."

Classes offered during the summer months tend to be less crowded, and with dove and upland game season right around the corner, now is a good time to complete a hunter education course. Hunters who missed the first tag application deadline because they didn't have their hunter education card still might find opportunity in a second draw if there are leftover tags. The deadline for submitting second draw applications is July 6.

In Nevada, any person born after Jan. 1, 1960, must successfully complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. The card is reciprocal with other states and is valid in Canada, Mexico and South Africa.

LARGE LIZARDS

Look at Gila monsters, but don't touch

The odds are against it, but if you were ever going to see a Gila monster in the Southern Nevada wild, these few weeks in May are the time. Gila monsters spend as much as 99 percent of their lives underground, and most of the time they do spend above ground occurs in April and May in Southern Nevada.

Banded Gila monsters are the largest lizards in North America, measuring anywhere from nine to 20 inches long. This animal is very much at home in the climate of the Mojave Desert and occurs at low- to mid-elevations. Gila monsters venture out of their burrows to forage for food and to mate. They are also active at night during the summer, especially when the temperatures are high during the day.

The banded Gila monster is striking to see, with black and orange mottled bands on the entire body, a very thick tail and bumpy-looking skin. Though it may not appear so, a Gila monster's tail is very important to its health. The tail, if round and fat, can supply the lizard with fat reserves that can last several years. If the lizard has a desiccated tail, or if the tail is lost, the animal may die. Unlike most lizards, Gila monsters are not able to regrow their tail if it becomes detached.

Gila monsters and their cousins, the beaded lizards, are the only venomous lizards in the world. Their venom delivery system is different from that of venomous snakes. The venom is mixed with saliva and pushed out over grooved teeth as the lizard chews while holding onto its prey with a vicelike grip.

Though they are a pretty lizard, anyone lucky enough to see a Gila monster in the wild should refrain from picking it up. They are protected by state law because of their rarity. Collection of the lizard for either commercial or personal reasons is illegal.

NDOW supports on-going Gila monster research projects, and because seeing it is so rare, anyone doing so is strongly encouraged to report any sightings. Witnesses should provide the date, time, habitat description and circumstances of the event to NDOW by calling (702) 486-5127, ext. 3718. Photos are appreciated, in order to confirm the identification. More information about the Gila monster can be found online at www.ndow.org.