Possible Clues:

• US desert state
• That's the state of the father of the river
• One of two states with Heavenly skiing?
• The Sagebrush State
• State attorney on Russian river
• State of European geese, as seen in flight, when caught by duck
• State including Las Vegas
• State admitted during the Civil War
• ''Bonanza'' setting
• Ship damaged in the attack on Pearl Harbor