News
Wildlife Commission Sets Furbearer Seasons
On August 13, 2011, the Nevada Wildlife Commission met to set the annual
furbearer seasons. In considering the gray fox and bobcat seasons (the seasons
of all other furbearers will remain the same as last year), the Commission
agreed with and adopted the proposed dates recommended by the Nevada Trappers
Association to begin the bobcat and gray fox season November 1, 2011 through
February 29, 2012. In making its recommendation to the Wildlife Commission, the
NVTA Board of Directors had sought input from trappers throughout the state
concerning the appropriate dates for these two furbearers, but there really was
no consensus among trappers. As a result, and based on the biological data
provided by NDOW, the NVTA Board felt a return to the traditional bobcat/gray
fox season was not only warranted by the data, but it also allowed the greatest
opportunity to accommodate the many varied desires expressed by trappers across
the state. |
Scenes from the Western Regional Convention
Nevada Trappers Association President Joel Blakeslee (left) and Bill Ilchik demonstrate effective bobcat trapping techniques during the National Trappers Association Western Regional Convention in John Day, Oregon. Several vendors and state association representatives were present at the three day convention and many Nevada sportsmen attended. Thank you to the National Trappers Association and the Oregon Trappers Association who sponsored the three day event. |
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SB 226
The Anti-trapping Bill
UPDATE: June 6, 2011
SB 226 passed unanimously in both houses of the 2011 Nevada Legislature and was signed June 3 by Governor Sandoval. The bill states that "the Wildlife Commission will be required to adopt certain regulations... in certain counties" by the end of December 2012.
What this means is that decisions about trapping in congested areas will be handled through the Wildlife Commission not the legislature. Please continue to be active in this process. County Wildlife Advisory Board agendas and Wildlife Commission agendas can be found at the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
Thanks to all who supported our efforts.
UPDATE: April 15, 2011
On April 15, 2011 the Senate Natural Resources Committee held a workshop meeting to discuss SB 226. Under Senate rules, April 15 was the last day that a bill could be voted out of a committee; if no action was taken on a bill by that date, it would die for lack of action.
The Committee heard a proposed amendment by Trish Swain of Trailsafe that would incorporate certain changes suggested by NDOW that would clarify and further limit the effects of the bill. Senator Parks made a motion to approve the bill with the amendments proposed by Trailsafe, but the motion failed because no other senator would second the motion. After some discussion, the Committee considered the proposed amendment that deleted the bill entirely, and instead indicated that the Board of Wildlife Commissioners would develop regulations to provide guidance for trapping of fur-bearing mammals in specific congested areas. Under the terms of the amended bill, these regulations would be completed and sent to the Legislative Commission for review no later than December 31st, 2012. After some discussion, the Committee voted unanimously to adopt this amendment. As it stands now, the Wildlife Commission has until the end of 2012 to enact regulations to address trapping in congested areas.
In other words, the Senate Natural Resources Committee heard exactly what we as trappers, and the sporting community at large, have been saying since the bill was first introduced - the legislature is not the place to manage wildlife. This point was driven home over and over with the support of the Wildlife Coalition, NDOW, trappers, ranchers, pest control operators, hunters, Wildlife Services and others. It has been gratifying to see the vast numbers of people and industries that support trapping as an effective tool for wildlife management. That support was also evident in the legislative poll where on April 15, 2011, there were over 450 votes opposed to the bill, and only 55 votes in favor of the bill. We are a powerful contingency when we stand together.
We have more work to do, but for now we have averted the drastic impacts SB226 would have had on us as trappers, and in the larger realm, the disastrous consequences it would have had on wildlife management in Nevada. Please remain vigilant and keep in contact with your elected officials.
UPDATE: March 30, 2011
Nearly three hours of testimony on SB 226 was taken March 30, 2011 by the Senate Natural Resources Committee. The hearing room in Carson City was completely packed and many people attended via teleconference in Las Vegas. At this time SB 226 is the 8th most commented on bill in the legislature and only two other bills have more popular opinion votes against them.
Many of those testifying in favor of SB 226 used emotional statements about the danger of trapping to pets and children. They focused on the perception that traps cause immeasurable suffering and maim anyone or anything that is caught. Statements included a comparison of traps to roadside bombs. It was said that trapping is not regulated. Representatives of several animal rights groups in the state spoke and it is clear that the true intent behind the bill is to ultimately outlaw trapping in Nevada.
Testifying against the bill were: The Nevada Trappers Association, representatives from The Farm Bureau, The Department of Wildlife, several landowners whose property is within the No Shooting Zones mentioned in the bill, individual trappers, sportsmen, wildlife control businesses, a wildlife rescue organization, and others. NTA gave a brief history explaining how this matter is now before the legislature even though a compromise with concerned citizens was near completion. Modern leghold traps were shown and demonstrated. Landowners stated their concern of not being able to protect their livestock. It was noted that pets face more danger from wild animals than traps. Many wondered why pet owners are not required to control their animals.
Older posts:
Service project earns rank for Eagle Scout
Las Vegas Review Journal editorial and response
Information about Department of Wildlife questionnaire
Service project earns rank for Eagle Scout
by Brennan Truman
The Eagle Scout rank is the most prestigious award offered to young men by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). It not only signifies the completion of all fundamental requirements outlined by the BSA (known as rank advancements), but also the achievement of at least 21 merit badges ranging from First Aid to Environmental Science. In addition to obtaining rank advancements and merit badges, the prospective Eagle Scout candidate must plan, develop, and demonstrate leadership to others in a service project helpful to a religious institution, school, or community. The key to the project is to show leadership by the prospective Eagle Scout.
Last year I faced the dilemma of deciding on an Eagle Scout project, but all the typical projects like building park benches, just didn’t seem very interesting to me. Then my dad introduced a novel idea. One of his friends, Jack Spencer, a government trapper in Nevada, suggested that I organize an effort to collect blood samples from gray fox and have the samples tested for disease. It sounded interesting. more...
Las Vegas Review Journal editorial
and response
On December 17, 2008 the Las Vegas Review Journal published an
editorial by John L. Smith condemning trapping in Southern Nevada. To see
the full text of his comments click
here. Tracy Truman,
Vice President Nevada Trappers Association, responded to Mr. Smith and his
answer speaks volumes about the necessity of trapping. Here is Tracy's
response:
| John Smith says trapping in Southern Nevada doesn’t make sense. I
hate to be the one to break it to you, John, but it’s you that makes no
sense. In his December 17, 2008 wandering diatribe, Smith discards hundreds of years of history, decades of sound biological data, and everyday common sense to bring to light the single (and unfortunate) instance of a dog being caught in a legally placed trap on Mt. Charleston to condemn this time-honored tradition, and sound tool of wildlife management. (By the way, the dog’s foot wasn’t cut or broken, and the Vet bill was $1,500? Maybe the Commentary should be on the cost of Vet service in Clark County). Smith’s claims, and his conclusions, demonstrate beyond doubt how little he really understands Southern Nevada, wildlife management, or the real health and safety issues at stake. For example, Smith acknowledges that trapping reduces the spread of wildlife disease, but then in his failed attempt to be humorous, points out that trappers are not trapping deer mice. That is true, Mr. Smith. We aren’t trapping deer mice, but you probably couldn’t see from your little ivory tower that many predators in Clark County regularly come in contact with the plague bacteria (as just one example). This summer alone a 15 year old trapper trapped gray fox in the Mt. Charleston area (under a scientific collection permit) and tests showed nearly half of the fox had been exposed to plague. Officials with the Southern Nevada Health District are alarmed at these results and have asked TRAPPERS (i.e. not news writers, or dog owners) to provide additional samples to monitor the potential outbreak of this disease. But Smith isn’t about to let the truth get in the way of good “commentary.” He’s so desperate for fodder about trapping on Mt. Charleston that he has to travel clear to Northern Nevada to report how someone from Utah broke Nevada’s trapping laws. Smith’s geography is as bad as his biology. Smith’s point, apparently, is that trapping regulations in Nevada are pretty abbreviated, when compared to all the other rules, regulations, laws, red tape and fine print so prevalent in other areas of our lives. Smith won’t rest until there is an outpouring of red-tape, government oversight, and more burden on the already over tasked wildlife law enforcement. NEWSFLASH John Smith: There’s a simple reason Nevada has such simple, straight forward trapping laws: They work. Had Smith really bothered to do his homework, he would have learned the Nevada Department of Wildlife is one of the most respected wildlife agencies in the western United States, not just because its trapping laws are simple, and work, but because NDOW has a sound understanding of the need for, and importance of, predator management as it relates to viable deer, elk, bighorn sheep, gamebird, and small game management (not to mention the livestock industry). If you other sportsmen, big game hunters, bird hunters and the like would like to kiss good-bye quail, chukar, deer and other game populations, then John Smith has a solution for you: Ban trapping. Of course, once he and his crowd are done with trapping, I’m sure they will turn their attention to a sport that may be closer to your heart. But in the meantime, don’t waste your time bothering John Smith with the facts; he’s off someplace crying wolf. Tracy Truman |
Information about Department of Wildlife questionnaire
The most important subject we want to let all of our members know is
regarding the trapper questionnaire the Department of Wildlife will send
out just after the close of the trapping season.
The importance of the data that we provide the State is what they use in
setting the trapping seasons and demonstrating to the public and to the anti’s
that our furbearer species are being managed. Even though the regulation
requires all trappers to fill out and return the questionnaire, the return rate
has been not as good as it should be. It is very important, that the data they
receive on all harvested furbearers is as complete as possible. As a trapper it
is your responsibility to complete and return the questionnaire.
During 2007, the Nevada Wildlife Commission passed a new regulation regarding
the trapper questionnaire. Everybody better pay attention to this new
regulation. You will not be able to get a trapping license the following year if you
fail to return your harvest report. The exact quote of the regulation
states: “Each person who purchases a trapping license from the Department or
license agent shall complete and return any reporting form or questionnaire
required by the Department. The person must return any such form or
questionnaire regardless of whether the person trapped any fur-bearing mammals
or unprotected species of wildlife during the term of the trapping license.
Except as otherwise provided by an annual regulation of the Commission, the
completed form or questionnaire must be received by the Department no later than
April 30 of each year. Failure to return the form or questionnaire within that
period or the submission of any false information on the form or questionnaire
is cause for the Commission to suspend the trapping license held by the person
and deny the person the right to acquire any trapping license for a period of
one year”.
An accurately filled out trapping questionnaire is just as important as your
deer or elk questionnaire so as soon as you receive it in the mail, fill it out
and send it back. The Department is real serious about this regulation. No one
wants to lose their trapping license over failure to take ten minutes of time to
fill it out and send it in.