Chukar limits increased for 2006 Nevada hunters

According to a recent press release by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), the State of Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners increased the possession limit for chukar and Hungarian partridge from 12 to 18 at their June meeting.

This Commission amendment to the biennial upland game season and bag regulations will be in effect for this fall's hunting season.

"Good to excellent range conditions and a wide distribution of birds mean that these new limits will not have a biological impact on the chukar resource," said Shawn Espinosa, game biologist with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW).

The abundance of birds and the amendment mean that a hunter can have a three-day possession limit rather than a two-day limit. If rising gas prices cause a hunter to plan fewer trips this year, the three-day limit allows him or her to extend each trip.

This brings Nevada's limits closer to those of its neighboring states.

Last summer and fall, chukar were captured at the China Lake Naval Weapons Center in California, and relocated to nine sites across the state.

The intent of the relocation was to establish a good number of birds for the next spring's breeding season.

Such efforts, combined with good habitat conditions, have strengthened chukar populations.

A $10 Upland Game Stamp is required for hunting upland game birds, including chukar.

Proceeds from this stamp are used solely for the protection and propagation of upland game birds, and for the acquisition, development, and preservation of upland game bird habitats in Nevada.

That includes development of water sources, referred to as guzzlers, which sustain wildlife populations across varying precipitation cycles.

"Our aggressive water development program has benefited chukar populations," said Espinosa.

Of the over 1,500 guzzlers in the state, 918 were constructed specifically for chukar.

For hunters who are new to Nevada's chukar hunting, a good source of information is NDOW's water development (guzzler) book.

That book maps the location of those 1,550 water collection devices placed on public lands where chukar or other game birds can be found. The atlas can be purchased at NDOW offices for $30.

Hunters should note that chukar and quail season open on October 14 this year, one week after the opening of most deer seasons.

For information about upland game bird seasons and regulations, visit www.ndow.org.

For information, call NDOW at 688-1500.