Thanks to all who attended the Wildlife Trapping Committee meeting on Dec. 7, 2013

Trappers and allies,

Had a great turnout from the trappers. Eric Hansell really rounded them up and got them out. I'm guessing 25-30. Antis had a dozen.

Can always count on Steve Nelson, Ted Lowery, Jesse Lattin. Had several come from our Coalition, Mel Belding from NBU, Mike Cassady from Safari Club, Judi Caron in particular did an excellent job, she is a bright light in the community of wildlife politics. Bob Brunner is one of our most articulate speakers. Jerry Smith sent an excellent letter that was referenced and discussed. Had one guy drive over from Winnemucca. There were others that deserve mention and probably missed someone but it was 1 pm by the time I got home and I didn't know everybody, these new guys are to be commended for standing up for our cause.

The committee chairman let me have adequate time to make all major points and questioned me at length.

John Sullivan stood tall for us in his capacity as a committee member and you could tell they respected his opinion and input.

It is nice to have the platform of truth and subject knowledge in a venue like this. The antis have low and incorrect information and very little actual experience with the subject so it makes the job easy in many respects. However politics being what they are, they get consideration

It is far from over, there was talk of having a meeting in one of the rural communities, I'm guessing a couple more at least for the committee then the commission and county advisory boards.

Enough for now, I have to get back to the traps, I know from the attire that several guys came straight from their lines. Many thanks!!

Thanks,

Joel Blakeslee
NTA President

Wildlife Trapping Committee

The Wildlife Commission is charged by SB213  to consider visitation and other matters.  For more information visit NDOW's Trapping Regulation Committee or read LCB File No. R018-13 .  The Committee is looking at population distribution and density maps and other options for determining populated and heavily used areas as it relates to trapping visitation time frames. Shorter trap visitation time frames may be considered in locations close to populated and used areas.

According to NDOW copies of maps will be posted to their website which include a City Limit Restrictions Map and a Management Unit Trapping Restrictions map.  Printed copies of the maps will be available at the meeting.  They are described below:

City Limit Restrictions Map – highlighted in pink are the cities that will be affected by trapping visitation restrictions. (Dayton, Fernley, Fallon, Yerington, Hawthorne, Tonopah, Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, Carlin, Elko, West Wendover, Eureka, Ely, Pahrump, Laughlin, Moapa, Glendale, Logandale, Overton, and Mesquite)

Management Unit Trapping Restrictions Map – highlighted in yellow includes the units that will be affected by trapping visitation restrictions. (All of Unit 262, 269, 286, 192, 194, 196, and portions of 268, 263, and 195)

Get Involved

• Would you like the Wildlife Commissioners to know your thoughts about trapping regulations?  Send comments to jtrendle@ndow.org . (This is the address for the Commission's Trapping Committee).

• Take a moment to read the Nevada Trappers Association position paper "Trapping:  Facts and Fiction"

Registration Regulation on hold until 2015

NDOW Chief Game Warden Rob Buonamici sent the following letter to trappers, dated October 24, 2013:

"As most of you know the 2013 Legislature passed SB 213 which required trap registration.  It was the intent of SB 213 to exempt private landowners when trapping for the protection of their property.  This intent was not reflected in the actual language of SB 213.  SB 213 also required that Nevada Department of Wildlife adopt a regulation that required traps to be marked.  Nevada Department of Wildlife developed such a regulation through its regulatory process.  The regulation was ultimately adopted by the Board of Wildlife Commissioners.  After adoption by the Board of Wildlife Commissioners all regulations must be approved by the Legislature.  On October 22, 2013 the Legislature deferred the trap registration regulation until after the 2015 legislative session.  Therefore, there is no requirement to mark your traps with your trap registration number.  You still may use your current trap registration number and voluntarily mark your traps.

Have a successful trapping season."