Date: 02/04/09
Contact: C. Douglas Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127, ext. 3500

CLARK COUNTY GAME BOARD MEETS, OPPOSES MOUNTAIN LION HUNTING BILL

If Tuesday’s meeting of the Clark County Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife is any indication, there are bound to be some interesting discussions when the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners meets Feb. 6 - 7 in Reno. While one of the primary purposes of this meeting is to set season dates for the 2009 big game hunting seasons, the board will also address possible changes to Nevada’s mountain lion regulations, timing for the release of tag draw results and changes to Commission Policy that would allow the Commission to provide annual performance reviews to the governor on the agency director.

At the Clark County meeting, discussion on big game season dates as recommended by the Nevada Department of Wildlife was not too controversial, especially when compared with past meetings where season dates were on the agenda. Perhaps the most notable changes for 2009 are the addition of split seasons in some units for antelope, elk and even the junior deer hunt. The season dates in the split junior hunts generally match those identified for the split seasons during the general rifle season; however, if approved as recommended the early junior rifle season will begin a few days earlier. This would give youth hunters and extra weekend to bag their deer.

Also new this year is the recommendation for doe antelope hunts in five additional units, two near Ely and three in the northwestern corner of the state. NDOW is also recommending that area 073 north of Elko be opened for bull elk during the archery, muzzleloader and rifle seasons. There will also be some new opportunities for cow elk. With the exception of the recommended season dates for hunt Area 16, members of the county advisory board voted to support the proposed season dates. After considering the concerns of one hunter in the audience, the board voted to recommend that the Wildlife Commission do away with the split season in Area 16.

During the Nov. 2008 meeting of the Wildlife Commission in Las Vegas, Assemblyman Jerry Claborn presented a concept for a bill he feels would help to reduce mountain lion numbers in Nevada and thus help to increase the mule deer population. The idea is that hunters who have a valid mountain lion tag and surrender the hide and skull from a lion to NDOW would be paid $500. Money for this program would come from funds generated by the predator fee hunters pay when applying for big game tags. There is currently no bill draft request, and NDOW Game Division staff is working to provide input to the concept.

Under this proposed plan, the surrendered hides and skulls would be sold at the annual fur sale and the money generated would fund “on- the-ground predator control projects for the enhancement of mule deer only.”

This subject generated extensive discussion among advisory board members who voiced their concern that such action might trigger costly legal action by anti-hunters and could even end up costing Nevadans the opportunity to hunt lions at all. Some pointed to California, where lion hunting is no longer legal, as an example. Representatives of the Nevada Trapper’s Association spoke against the idea. No one was present to speak in favor of it.

Advisory Board Chair Cindy Alexander read these comments into the record from board member Paul Dixon who was absent. “It does not specifically target areas where we need increased mountain lion harvest due to unfavorable deer, elk and sheep herd numbers. I do not favor indiscriminate mountain lion removal statewide.” Other board members echoed this concern, expressing their belief that targeting lions in specific problem areas would be more beneficial.

Also on the agenda is an item to alter Commission Policy 1 to allow the Wildlife Commission to conduct annual reviews of the NDOW director, and to approve and recognize all donations to the agency. The view of the board members was that neither change in Commission Policy was necessary.

The advisory board also discussed the possibility of having tag draw results released to the public 48 hours after completion of the draw. After a brief discussion board members voted to recommend a 72-hour release time so Systems Consultants, Inc., the company that actually conducts the draw, will have time to verify payment status. In past discussions, Systems Consultants has stated that positive verification of credit card payments would require 10-14 days.

There is still time to comment on these and other agenda items. Information is posted on the NDOW website at www.ndow.org/learn/com/mtg under the commission meeting menu.

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.