Some selected information on 2008 bird hunting seasons

If you own a shotgun or if you are lucky enough to borrow one from a relative, neighbor or close friend, Sept. 1 is the start of a number of different bird hunting seasons in the State of Nevada.

So, if you're interested in bird hunting, here is some selected information for those openers:

American Crow:

The 2008 Nevada American Crow fall hunting season will open on Sept. 1, statewide, with a daily bag limit of 10.

This season closes on Nov. 17.

The spring season will run March 1 to Apr. 15, 2009.

Hunting hours are from sunrise to sunset daily.

Open to Non-Residents.

Shotguns only.

All crows must be retrieved and removed from the field.

Closed on Common Ravens.

For information, call the Nevada Department of Wildlife at 688-1500 during business hours.

Blue and Ruffed Grouse:

The 2008 Nevada Blue Grouse and Ruffed Grouse hunting season will open on Sept. 1, statewide.

There is a daily limit of 3 and a possession limit of 6.

This season closes on Dec. 31.

Hours are sunrise to sunset.

Open to Non-Residents.

Special Note No. 1: The head or one fully feathered wing must be attached to all blue and ruffed grouse until the carcass reaches the possessor's residence or a commercial facility for its preservation.

Special Note. No. 2: Persons harvesting blue grouse are requested to deposit one wing from each bird harvested at any Nevada Department of Wildlife office, check station, or with Department employees who contact you in the field.

Special Note No. 3: Persons harvesting ruffed grouse in Humboldt County are requested to report the grouse harvest to the Department of Wildlife's Winnemucca sub-office at 815 East Fourth St., in Winnemucca.

For information, call the Nevada Department of Wildlife in Winnemucca at (775) 623-6565.

Mourning/White Wing Dove:

The 2008 Nevada Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove hunting season will open on Sept. 1, statewide, with a limit of 10 daily and 20 in possession.

This season closes on Sept. 30.

Hunting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.

Non-toxic shot is required in Nevada.

Open to Non-Residents.

Special Note No. 1: White-wing dove season is closed in all counties except Clark and Nye Counties.

Special Note No. 2: Hunters are reminded that because the dove is a migratory bird and comes under federal regulations, shotguns must be plugged to limit the overall shotgun capacity to three shells.

Special Note No. 3: Any person 12 years or older who hunts dove will need to obtain a Harvest Information Program validation number to be able to hunt migratory bird species. They can do so by calling (866) 703-4605 or by going to the Internet at website www.ndowlicensing.com.

For information, call the Nevada Department of Wildlife at 688-1500 during business hours.

Snowcock (Himalayan Snow partridge):

The 2008 Nevada Snowcock (Himalayan Snow partridge) hunting season will open on Sept. 1. It will be open only in Elko and White Pine Counties.

That season will close in those two counties on Nov. 30.

There is a daily and season limit of two birds.

Hunting hours are sunrise to sunset daily.

Open to Non-Residents.

Special Note No. 1: Persons planning to hunt snowcocks are requested to contact an NDOW office to obtain a Snowcock hunting free-use permit.

For information, call the Nevada Department of Wildlife in Elko at (775) 777-2300.

Miscellaneous:

1. Any person 12 years or older who plans to hunt any kind of migratory game bird, including ducks, geese, swans, rails, coot, doves, snipe, or gallinules in Nevada this year, is required annually to obtain a Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation number and write it on their hunting license before entering the field.

They can do so by calling (866) 703-4605 or by going to the Internet at www.ndowlicensing.com.

2. If you hunt Hungarian and chukar partridge, quail, pheasant, Snowcock and sage, blue and ruffed grouse, you will need to possess the Nevada Upland Game Stamp ($10).

This applies to both residents and nonresidents with an annual hunting license or a short term permit to hunt.

There you have it:

Some selected 2008 bird hunting information.

More importantly, be sure to pick up a copy of the 2008 seasons and regulations and carry it with you in the field or go to the NDOW Internet website (www.ndow.org) to check on them.

A friendly word to the wise: Don't do anything illegal, because if you do and if you get caught by the "Friendly Old Game Warden," he isn't going to be too friendly and you are not going to be a happy camper, when you get in front of the Judge, who isn't going to be too happy, either. Plus, it will be an expensive visit to that judge's court. You've been advised!

Finally:

If you don't hunt these birds, you might want to get friendly with someone who does.

And, if you are a real good friend of that person, he/she just might invite you to an unforgettable wild game dinner, especially if it features Dove. Never turn down one of those game feeds!

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you when the 2008 Nevada Chukar and Hungarian Partridge hunting seasons open.

If he grins, takes a deep breath and says, "The Chukar and Hungarian Partridge seasons open on Oct. 11, with a daily limit of 6 and a possession limit of 18, and run until Feb. 1," he could be a serious Chukar hunter.

If he is a real good friend, he just might invite you to an unforgettable Chukar dinner.

If you do get invited, whisper in his ear that Don Q likes Chukar dinners, also.

Don Quilici is the Outdoors editor for the Nevada Appeal.