Outdoor briefs

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Teachers learn about wetlands, waterfowl

Clark County educators gained some new tools for teaching their students about wetlands and waterfowl during a workshop Nov. 15 at the Clark County Wetlands Park near Sam Boyd Stadium. The workshop's focus was "Project Webfoot," a curriculum created by the conservation organization Ducks Unlimited to help students understand the importance of wetlands, waterfowl and the role they play in the environment.

The workshop was led by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Nevada Department of Wildlife, and Ducks Unlimited.

NDOW also offers Project Wild and Aquatic Wild workshops for teachers. Project Wild covers terrestrial wildlife and Aquatic Wild covers aquatic wildlife, with emphasis on fish. Each workshop is offered twice a year, in the spring and fall.

FREE COURSE

Introductory fly-fishing class scheduled

The Nevada Department of Wildlife will offer a free introductory fly-fishing class Dec. 6. This class will consist of two parts, with the first scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at the NDOW Las Vegas office, 4747 Vegas Drive. In the first half of the class, students will learn the basics, such as knot-tying, terminology and needed equipment. The second half of the class will cover casting skills and will be taught later that morning at Floyd Lamb Park. For more information and registration, contact Ivy Santee at 486-5127, Ext. 3503. Registration begins Monday at 8 a.m.

CONSERVATION HONOR

Nominations sought for Kirch award

The Silver State's Board of Wildlife Commissioners is seeking nominations for the 2008 Wayne E. Kirch Nevada Wildlife Conservation Award.

The award is given annually to recipients who have demonstrated significant results towards conservation, management or enhancement of wildlife. An individual, nonprofit organization, outdoor sports club or business can be nominated for the award.

Selection of the winning nominee will be made solely from the official conservation award nomination form.

This award is named in memory of Wayne E. Kirch, who served on the Fish and Game Commission for more than 25 years.

All required official conservation award nomination forms are available from the Nevada Department of Wildlife, 1100 Valley Road, Reno, Nevada 89512, or on the Web at www.ndow.org. This year's award is for projects that occurred in 2008. Nominations must be received no later than Dec. 19.

NEW POSITION

Atkinson tapped to lead game division

The Nevada Department of Wildlife has selected Dr. Mark Atkinson as the new game division chief.

Trained as a veterinarian, Dr. Atkinson's background is in farming and ranching. He is a hunter, angler and conservationist who has worked in wildlife management and research for more than 15 years.

The game division focuses on four current program areas: avian and terrestrial game species management, wildlife depredation control, predator management and wildlife health and disease monitoring. Atkinson plans on a continued push for the use of good science in wildlife management in decision-making, and to emphasize the importance of wildlife and ecosystem health.

NEW FORMAT

Nevada hunting licensing changing

In this instant information age of cell phones, PDAs and PCs, consumers are constantly connected and doing more and more of their shopping and buying online. In an effort to meet the demand of today's tech-savvy hunters, the Nevada Department of Wildlife is moving to a "Point of Sale," or automated computer-based licensing system, and a stricter enforcement of Nevada's hunter education requirement.

Beginning early next year with the 2009 big game tag application period and new license year, NDOW will not accept another state's hunting license that lacks evidence of hunter education as proof of the course.

Hunters who have questions, should contact an NDOW office or visit the agency's Web site at www.ndow.org and click on the Learn and Participate or Hunter Education links.

FUN FACTS

Fall Wildlife Almanac now available online

Did you know that the number of bears encroaching on urban areas is way down this year? Do you know the hot spots for fall fishing? Did you hear that a 75-year-old hunter drew an antelope, bighorn, elk and deer tag and wound up out in the field for more than two months?

If you were unaware of any of these facts, its time you checked out the 2008 Fall Wildlife Almanac online at on the Nevada Department of Wildlife Web site at www.ndow.org.

The almanac also is sent out to NDOW customers who have subscribed to receive Department of Wildlife news and updates. If you are interested in receiving information on hunting, fishing or wildlife, you can go to www.ndow.org/subs/subs.asp and subscribe to one or all of the e-mail lists.