CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Longtime Nevada District Court Judge Dan Papez says he plans to retire in January.

Papez has served on the 7th Judicial District Court bench for 20 years, serving Eureka, White Pine and Lincoln counties.

He notified the Nevada Supreme Court he will step down Jan. 5.

In a statement issued by the high court Tuesday, the 62-year-old Papez said he plans to spend more tramping around the mountains, photographing wildlife and fishing in his retirement.

A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and McGeorge School of Law, Papez started his long public service career as a game warden with the Department of Wildlife. After law school he worked for four years at the White Pine County district attorney's office.

He was elected to the bench in 1992.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.