Date: 12/3/08
Contact: C. Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127, ext. 3500

WILDLIFE COMMISSION VOTES TO OPEN BOULDER HARBOR FOR FISHING

During its Nov. 21-22 meeting in Las Vegas, the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners voted to open Boulder Harbor -- the area formerly known as Lake Mead Marina -- to fishing. When the official process is complete, this regulatory change will allow anglers in boats to fish within the now vacated harbor area.

“To become official this regulatory change must be filed with the Nevada Secretary of State,” explained Rob Buonamici, chief game warden for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. “Once the change is approved at that level, it will take effect.”

Buonamici expects the next step in the process to take about 30 days. When that is done, the public will be notified, he said. Boaters should also remember to note and follow the regulations posted on buoys within the harbor such as those designating no-wake areas and fishing closures in areas adjacent to the launch ramp which is still in use. Boulder Harbor is located between the Pyramid Island causeway and the water treatment plant off of Lakeshore Drive.

In other action, the commission denied a petition asking the board to create a slot limit on largemouth bass and voted to reject a regulation change that would have allowed non-resident tag applicants who are rejected in the restricted nonresident guided deer hunt draw to apply for a deer tag in the main big game draw within the same year.

On the informational side, the board heard a report from Steve Kimble, supervising game biologist for NDOW about the problems associated with bighorn sheep that frequent Hemenway Park in Boulder City and a presentation from Assemblyman Jerry Claborn about possible legislation that could change the way Nevada manages predators such as mountain lions.

Kimble explained that sheep from the River Mountains visit Hemenway Park on a regular basis during the warmer months of the year. Biologists have counted as many as 65 sheep in the park at one time in recent months. While the sheep are popular with tourists and some residents, the Boulder City Director of Public Works requested that NDOW reduce the number of sheep using the park. He cited public safety concerns and complaints about sheep feces as reasons for the request.

NDOW captured and removed 50 sheep in early November. The group consisted of 37 ewes or lambs and 13 rams. They were released in the Delamar and Meadow Valley Mountains of Lincoln County. Though this will help with the problem in the short-term, Kimble said biologists could still see and increase in the number of sheep using the park next summer.

“An effective, long-term strategy that results in acceptable numbers of sheep in Hemenway Park and no sheep foraging along Highway 93 can only be crafted through close cooperation between NDOW, Boulder City and the National Park Service,” Kimble said.

In his presentation Claborn encouraged the commission to seek legislation that would require NDOW to pay “anyone who has a valid mountain lion tag and surrenders the lion hide and skull to (the) Nevada Department of Wildlife” a fee of $500. That amount would be paid out until the agency’s annual mountain lion harvest objective is reached. Funding for this program would come from the predator fee hunters pay when applying for big game tags.

Claborn said additional funding could be generated if NDOW sold the surrendered hides and skulls at the annual fur sale with proceeds being returned to the predator control fund. These funds could then “be used for on-the-ground predator control projects for the enhancement of mule deer only.” No action was taken as this was an informational item.

Commission Chairman Gerald Lent of Reno finalized board business by making the following committee assignments to fellow board members:

Duck Stamp Judging Committee: David McNinch (chair) and Daniel Swanson.

State Predatory Animal and Rodent Committee: Grant Wallace

Wildlife Scholarship Recipient Selection Committee: McNinch (chair), Swanson and Ron Lurie.

Wayne E. Kirch Wildlife Conservation Award Judging Committee: Swanson (chair) and Lurie. Former Commissioner Marlene Kirch will also serve on this committee.

Finance Committee: Lurie (chair) and Michael McBeath. They will be joined by Gilbert Yanuck.

Elk Damage and Incentive Committee: Wallace (Chair), McNinch and Pete Mori.

Wildlife Damage Management Committee: Scott Raine (chair), McBeath, Wallace and Mori. They will be joined by Mike Laughlin.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.