Wednesday, March 26, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
NOW THAT applications for big game permits are out, hunters will be pouring over the statistics planning hunting trips for next fall. Some of the biggest deer herds in the state are in northeastern Nevada, so many Las Vegans don't mind traveling that far to hunt.
According to Steve Foree, a biologist with NDOW in Elko, there were no winter problems with deer in Elko County. Deer likely found good vegetation as a result of improved moisture. Buck ratios are good in areas 6 and 7 and lower than predicted in Area 10. However, Foree thinks Area 10 buck ratios are good, too, and the problem might be in counting deer during flights: There were so many deer in such large groups that counting them and classifying their gender was difficult.
The only less-than-bright spot is in central Nevada where precipitation on winter ranges is lower than normal.
Ice nice in Utah
In case it gets too warm for you in Southern Nevada this Easter weekend, you still can get into some ice fishing action in Southern Utah.
According to the latest reports, Beaver Mountain Lake has solid ice cover and access by snowmobiles only. At Fish Lake, the ice is estimated at more than 20 inches. Fishing is excellent.
Try jigging a spoon tipped with perch or sucker meat for splake in 10-40 feet of water. Ice flies tipped with a meal worms also will work for splake, as well as rainbows and perch. If you're after perch, try fishing in 6-12 feet of water.
Winter limits are in effect: The limit on trout is four fish. Only two can be lake trout and only one lake trout may be longer 20 inches. There's no limit on yellow perch.
Johnson and Koosharem reservoirs still are frozen. Navajo Lake still is frozen and access is by snowmobiles. At Panguitch Lake, the ice still is about 18 inches thick. Ice cover is solid at Paragonah (Red Creek) Reservoir and Pine Lake.
Minersville fishing
This weekend marks the opening of the state park at Minersville Reservoir. Fishing has been good at Minersville for 14-20-inch rainbows from shore and float tubes. Wooly Buggers, other leach patterns and nymphs have been working well when fished close to shore. Spinning gear with a bubble and wet flies or jigs also has been effective.
Don't forget that the regs are artificial flies and lures only and a limit of one trout that must be at least 20 inches long.
Hikes
Hosts are needed April 4-6 to provide bed and one breakfast to Orange County Sierra Singles as they head to Southern Nevada for hiking in the Valley of Fire and Mt. Charleston. Call Nick Saines at 896-4049.
On April 5, Neil Sobelson will lead a rock scrambling expedition in Calico Hills. There's only room for 15, so call Sobelson at 243-9910 to make reservations. A family hike is planned April 6 in the Lake Mead area with Bill Marr. Call him at 433-0743.
Female anglers
A unique fresh water, multi-species angling organization for women, founded in September 1996, is quickly growing across the nation. Designed to provide education, opportunity and support for females to become more involved in the sport of fishing, the Female Anglers Network has members in 11 states.
According to FAN, it provides women with a female-oriented and thus more comfortable environment in which to participate in fishing. The organization publishes a bi-monthly magazine, the Female Angler, and is planning to hold seminars to teach women more about angling, equipment, how to find fish and what to do with them.
Their e-mail address is [email protected]
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