FALLON: NEVADA GATEWAY TO GREAT HUNTING AND FISHING

In late Summer and Fall, Fallon is a mecca for hunters and fishermen buying supplies and preparing to venture into Nevada's bountiful wilderness. From Fallon, one can springboard into areas close by or many other parts of the state to experience a successful duck hunt, harvest a Desert Bighorn sheep, or just photograph the marvelous and abundant wildlife.

Churchill County lies in Nevada Big Game Area 18, Units 181 through 184 where bighorn sheep and mule deer are plentiful. Call the Nevada Dept. of Wildlife at (775) 423-3171 to find out the harvesting dates for Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Antelope and Elk. Hunting hours are from one half hour before sunrise to sunset. The costs for hunting licenses vary for residents and nonresidents. Application fees and tags also vary in cost for species, resident and nonresidents. For a complete guide on 2001 hunting regulations write the Nevada Dept. of Wildlife at P.O. Box 10678, Reno, NV 89520-0222.

Waterfowl such as duck and geese are plentiful around Fallon with surrounding areas situated on the Pacific Flyway. Stillwater Wildlife Management Area and Carson Lake are considered two of the Pacific Flyway's best birding spots. Hunting season usually begins around the second or third Saturday in October. The length of the season is determined by the Nevada Division Of Wildlife and various bird population forecasts. The official season is published in August. Upland game birds such as chukar and grouse can also be hunted nearby.

The Greenhead Hunting Club is a public hunting area for waterfowl only with over 16,000 acres of wet marsh (24,000 acres overall) located in the Carson Lakes area eight miles south and two miles east of Fallon. Call the club for hunting fees at (775) 423-3071.

Of course, those just wanting to view or photograph wildlife can find outstanding bird watching and an abundance of wildlife in the Lake Lahontan State Recreational Area, Carson Lake, and Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge.

While Nevada is widely known as a dry state, there are over 200 ponds, lakes and reservoirs which provide nearly 400,000 surface acres of sport fishing opportunity. There are also over 500 streams, rivers, and tributaries offering nearly 3,000 miles of fishable waters. And a good share of these waters can be found around Fallon.

Fallon is located in Region 1, Western Area of the state's fishing management plan. Generally, fishing season is open year round, any time of the day or night; but some lakes have restricted fishing hours and seasons.

Lahontan Reservoir offers great trout, largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, walleye, channel catfish and white catfish, and fishing is good June through September. The Lahontan Dam spilling pool is off limits to fishing. Indian Lakes and Stillwater Marsh provide bass, crappie, and catfish. Of course, the Carson River and the Truckee River provide excellent fishing as well. Check with the Nevada Division Of Wildlife for various limits on fish taken.

So, if your an outdoorsman or just someone looking to get outdoors, Fallon offers a great headquarters for stepping out.

Another important number for fishing or wildlife viewing is the U.S. Dept. Of Fish & Wildlife at (775) 423-5128.