Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Low water levels affecting fowl hunting

Located 90 miles north of Las Vegas, waterfowl, such as a mallard, green-winged teal, Northern pintail or canvasback know the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge as a nesting place, winter hideaway or pitstop along migration routes.

But two years of drought means that there isn’t enough water for thirsty birds. The Fish & Wildlife service is warning hunters to seek wetter wetlands for this hunting season, which runs October 13 through late January.

The Pahranagat wildlife refuge has been delivering 5,300 gallons of water per minute from other reservoirs, and it still hasn’t been enough. “I’ve never experienced anything like this,” said refuge manager Rob Vinson. “This year, we only have maybe a quarter of last year’s habitat. We’re suffering.” Last year, about 500-600 acres were flooded; this year, it’s predicted to be only 150-250.

However, one hunter’s loss is another bird’s gain. While waterfowl will be affected by low water, migratory shorebirds will enjoy a bonanza. The persistent drought has provided the perfect marsh habitat for this category of winged creatures, including Western sandpipers, black-necked stilts and American avocets, which are illegal to hunt in most cases.

This story originally appeared in the Las Vegas Weekly.