With Nevada's bird hunting seasons on the horizon, now is the time for hunters to register for their Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation number. Any person who is 12 years of age or older and hunts migratory birds such as doves, ducks, geese, swans and snipe is required to obtain a HIP number.

"Hunters must have their HIP number written on their hunting license and there is a space specifically for it," said Doug Nielsen, Conservation Education supervisor for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. "HIP numbers are one of the things game wardens look for when they check hunting licenses."

There is no charge for the HIP number and the process typically takes just a few minutes, but hunters must purchase their hunting license first. Hunters may obtain their HIP numbers online at www.ndowlicensing.com or by calling 866-703-4605.

The purpose of the Harvest Information Program is to develop more reliable estimates of the number of migratory birds harvested throughout the country. In simplest terms, the state wildlife agencies collect the name, address and some additional information from each migratory bird hunter in their state and send that information to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Service then randomly selects a sample of those hunters and asks them to provide information on the kind and number of migratory birds they harvested during the hunting season. Those reports are then used to develop reliable harvest estimates.