"Treating the lion as a game animal was an idea which has had 32 years to prove itself, and didn't. Without predator control, lion population increased nearly 10 fold by even the most conservative estimates, and ate 10 times as many deer." At least there's a recognition, after 32 years!, that things ain't working. Would that gun control laws be viewed the same way.
I guess this should be in the Hunter's forum, but I suspect many of us here who hunt don't visit there, so . . .
From a Nevada State Rifle and Pistol Association's email:
Your NSRPA is backing a bill conceived by Hunter's Alert, which will help restore the decimated deer herds of Nevada and make the Division of Wildlife more efficient and accountable.
Sen. Ann O'Connell (R-LV) has agreed to introduce the package as SB30 http://www.leg.state.nv.us/71st/Reports/history.cfm?ID=3406 . We need members to contact their representatives and politely ask them to support the bill.
Its chief provisions:
Reclassifies mountain lion from game animal to its traditional status as unprotected predator. Treating the lion as a game animal was an idea which has had 32 years to prove itself, and didn't. Without predator control, lion population increased nearly 10 fold by even the most conservative estimates, and ate 10 times as many deer. The change failed to produce anticipated revenue, because few hunters bought lion tags; furthermore, many quit buying deer tags. Changing status won't threaten lions' existence as part of the ecosystem; Nevada's lion population wasn't in trouble even in the old days of no-holds-barred predator control.
Adds a $5 to cost of non-resident and resident tags, earmarked for predator management. Could be used to maintain cougar-deer balance but also to reduce pressure on small game and upland populations from predatory birds and nest-robbing species.
Permits more wildlife commissioners from Clark County. Clark County has two-thirds of the population but the present law limits it to three commissioners, or a third of the board. Change would permit the governor to appoint as many as six from the state's most populous county, but wouldn't require him or her to do so.
Reorganizes the Division of Wildlife as the Department of Fish and Game. Many feel its present status as a division of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has made it at times cumbersome and unresponsive to the needs of hunters and fishermen who finance the division. The head of this department would be appointed by the governor.
Clarify that the Wildlife Commission will oversee the agency and must approve its budget. Commissioners already set policy but have no power to make sure it is carried out.
Legislators this year are busier than ever, so keep your message short, to the point, and as always, polite. The most important thing you could say is probably that as an experienced hunter or fisherman, you believe these changes will work.
Legislator contact and bill information is available at http://www.leg.state.nv.us .
I guess this should be in the Hunter's forum, but I suspect many of us here who hunt don't visit there, so . . .
From a Nevada State Rifle and Pistol Association's email:
Your NSRPA is backing a bill conceived by Hunter's Alert, which will help restore the decimated deer herds of Nevada and make the Division of Wildlife more efficient and accountable.
Sen. Ann O'Connell (R-LV) has agreed to introduce the package as SB30 http://www.leg.state.nv.us/71st/Reports/history.cfm?ID=3406 . We need members to contact their representatives and politely ask them to support the bill.
Its chief provisions:
Reclassifies mountain lion from game animal to its traditional status as unprotected predator. Treating the lion as a game animal was an idea which has had 32 years to prove itself, and didn't. Without predator control, lion population increased nearly 10 fold by even the most conservative estimates, and ate 10 times as many deer. The change failed to produce anticipated revenue, because few hunters bought lion tags; furthermore, many quit buying deer tags. Changing status won't threaten lions' existence as part of the ecosystem; Nevada's lion population wasn't in trouble even in the old days of no-holds-barred predator control.
Adds a $5 to cost of non-resident and resident tags, earmarked for predator management. Could be used to maintain cougar-deer balance but also to reduce pressure on small game and upland populations from predatory birds and nest-robbing species.
Permits more wildlife commissioners from Clark County. Clark County has two-thirds of the population but the present law limits it to three commissioners, or a third of the board. Change would permit the governor to appoint as many as six from the state's most populous county, but wouldn't require him or her to do so.
Reorganizes the Division of Wildlife as the Department of Fish and Game. Many feel its present status as a division of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has made it at times cumbersome and unresponsive to the needs of hunters and fishermen who finance the division. The head of this department would be appointed by the governor.
Clarify that the Wildlife Commission will oversee the agency and must approve its budget. Commissioners already set policy but have no power to make sure it is carried out.
Legislators this year are busier than ever, so keep your message short, to the point, and as always, polite. The most important thing you could say is probably that as an experienced hunter or fisherman, you believe these changes will work.
Legislator contact and bill information is available at http://www.leg.state.nv.us .