Once again, I appreciated being asked to comment on my involvement with the Wildlife Commission.

1 tried for a period of nine years to get an appointment on the Wildlife Commission, a fact not many people know. Finally, my waiting was rewarded when Governor Kenny Guinn took office and I was appointed to the Commission.

1 attended many Wildlife Advisory Board meetings and some Commission meetings before I was given my appointment. Believe me when I tell you how much I am enjoying the Commission and hopefully I will be an asset to all of the sportsmen and women of the State of Nevada.

In the first six months of my appointment I have tried to help my good friend, Commissioner J.T. Moran with his projects at the Overton Wildlife Management Area. Our efforts, along with those of volunteers from various area suppliers and contractors, enabled us to construct a new check-in station. Aided by the Nevada Carpenters Union, we were

able to construct seven new blinds. Also, with the assistance of W.H.I.N., three new handicap blinds will be delivered next week. This was accomplished with help from the Nevada Carpenters Apprenticeship School. Don Ahern from Ahern Rentals helped us secure a gravel strainer - a grizzly as it is called, for screening gravel so the roads at the Management Area can be graveled. This will replace the mud and dirt roads now in place, a welcome change!

The only items missing at the Overton Management Area are some ducks and geese. If the old saying rings true, If you build it, they will come , applies to waterfowl, then all we have to do is wait.

1 would like to take this opportunity to enlist the help of the sportsmen and women of Nevada. 1 have proposed a change in the Partners in Wildlife (P.I.W.) portion of the 2001 big game drawings. The criticism has been that it was too expensive. My response to this is that I have proposed that all species in the P.I.W. drawing, sheep, elk, deer, antelope, etc. be

$10.00 thus making it affordable to everyone.

This drawing has generated in excess of ninety thousand dollars ($90,000.00) yearly for the Heritage Account. This money came from approximately 4,500 Nevada hunters who left $25 to $50 per species in for the drawing.

Now, for your help. I am asking sportsmen and women to please apply! We currently need at least 9,000 hunters to apply so the Heritage Account maintains approximately the same income.

In closing, 1 want to express my appreciation for having the chance to represent all of the sportsmen and women in the State of Nevada. The job, so far, has been both enjoyable and rewarding to me. I sincerely appreciate the assistance of my fellow commissioners and the staff at the Division of Wildlife. I promise all of you that I will do my best to represent everyone s interests and it is my hope that when my tenure as a Wildlife Commissioner comes to an end, that you will be pleased that I was YOU! Commissioner.