Date: 4/11/08
Contact: Chris Healy
Phone: (775) 688-1554

NDOW SETS UP BEAR HOTLINE
Call to Report Bear Problems

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) today announced the creation of the BEAR hotline to give Northern Nevadans a phone number to report bear problems:
(775) 688-BEAR (2327).

The BEAR hotline is wired directly into NDOW’s Dispatch Center in Reno. Normal business hours are 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. The hotline is for those who have bear problems. If you have simply sighted bears, or have had garbage cans tipped by bears please refer to the agency website at www.ndow.org, and select “Keep Me Wild” to learn about how to reduce bear problems by removing attractants, such as garbage, pet food and bird feeders.

“The hotline is designed to be more responsive to bear problems,” said Ken Mayer, Director for NDOW.

The Department will make every effort to respond to calls, based on prioritized threat levels. “We will do our best to respond to calls, but keep in mind that biologists and wardens have other duties as well, such as deer surveys or poaching investigations,“ said Mayer.

Last year, NDOW personnel handled 1,531 bear complaints compared to 350 in 2006. Consistent with wildlife conflict policies in other western states NDOW does not usually set bear traps unless the human-caused attractant has been removed or exclusionary precautions have been taken.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and 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.