First, the bad news. Those fires that swept across the state last year were devastating. A total of 340,000 acres of deer winter range and 305,000 acres of deer summer range went up in smoke. Hardest hit were management areas 2, 3, 4, 6, 14, 15 and 18. And fires that struck this year added another 600,000 acres of destruction.

While range rehabilitation efforts have been nothing short of impressive and have already shown some encouraging signs, the simple fact is that a lot of prime deer habitat has been lost. And it will be many, many years before the habitat recovers.

Now, the good news. Aerial surveys conducted by Nevada Division of Wildlife biologists following the 1999-2000 deer hunts turned up the highest fawn-to-doe ratio since 1986. This good production has caused most of the state's deer herds to show moderate population increases.

More good news is that the vast majority of the state's deer are less than four years old. This means that most of the deer in the state are entering their most productive years, so the next few years could be very bright for the state's deer resource. The caveat here is that habitat is the key and a harsh winter, fires, or drought could quickly put a damper on this rosy picture.

So how's the hunting going to be for those hunters who were fortunate enough to obtain big game tags? Here's what the biologists are predicting.

For deer hunters, the prediction is that the hunting should be good with the success rate expected to equal or surpass last year's 47 percent mark. Buck ratios are the highest they have been in nearly two decades.

Antelope hunters had a great season last year and enjoyed an impressive 83 percent success rate, up from 74 percent the previous year. This year could see a duplication of those results because the buck-to-doe ratio has increased from 32 to 34.

NDOW now continues to work at transplanting antelope back into suitable habitats, and during the past year has brought animals from Utah and Oregon to the state for releases in Elko, Lyon and Nye counties. These, combined with ongoing water development construction, have the potential to further expand the state's antelope population.

California bighorn sheep populations continue to increase and have grown by eight percent over the past year to an estimated population of 1,400 animals. Hunter success last year was 77 percent with 36 rams harvested. Similar results are expected for this year's hunts.

Desert bighorn sheep hunters set a record in 1999 with a success rate of 93 percent. Biologists believe that there are good opportunities again this year, so hunter success rates should be high.

Of note is that dry conditions experienced during the first four months of 1999 impacted the desert bighorn's lamb production. During surveys a total of 40 lambs per 100 ewes were counted, compared with 47 per 100 counted in 1998. While the 1999 figures were high enough to maintain herds, they are believed to be too low to allow for any herd growth.

Rocky Mountain elk hunters had a remarkable season this past year in terms of the total number of animals harvested, hunter success and size of bulls harvested. Look for those trends to continue as the overall population continues to grow.

Aerial surveys conducted this year showed a ratio of 36 bulls per 100 cows, up from 30 per 100 in 1999. The ratio of 45 calves per 100 cows indicates that calf production continues to be favorable. The state's total elk population is estimated at 5,700, up from 5,400 last year.

Mountain goat populations in the East Humboldt and Ruby Mountain ranges are experiencing moderate growth. With herds expanding into the south end of the Ruby Mountains, a mountain goat season was approved this year for Unit 103. Ten of 11 hunters were successful in harvesting mountain goats last season.

So, with generally expanding big game populations, the outlook is again for great hunting opportunities in Nevada. With plenty of good hunting at hand, the Nevada Division of Wildlife is encouraging hunters to practice good sportsmanship and avoid hunting in areas that have recently burned.

The Nevada Hunt Book, a compilation of hunting laws and regulations, is available free at all NDOW offices as well as at retail stores that sell hunting and fishing licenses.