Recent News

Wildlife Commission Approves 2012-2013 Furbearer Seasons

The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners approved the same seasons for furbearers as last year with the exception of extending the beaver, mink, and muskrat season through April.

Proposed Regulations

NDOW has draft regulation changes that they are proposing and that we will post as soon as they are final.  The Nevada Trappers Association Board of Directors met with NDOW law enforcement representatives to discuss the proposals.

Southern Nevada - Possible No Trapping Zones

No trapping zones are being discussed for Mt. Charleston.

 

Suzie, a new Nevada Trappers Association member, is happy with her first catch.  We invite you to become a member, too.

 

Previous posts:

WILDLIFE COMMISSION SETS 2011-2012 FURBEARER SEASONS

SCENES FROM THE 2011 WESTERN REGIONAL CONVENTION

SB 226

Service project earns rank for Eagle Scout

Information about Department of Wildlife questionnaire

 

Wildlife Commission Sets 2011-2012 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. Importantly, NVTA and NDOW were able to put the harvest information from last year into perspective by comparing it to the recruitment data of other game species. For example, the data showed statewide a juvenile recruitment of .74 as compared to adult females. In other words, statewide there were 74 juvenile bobcats per 100 adult females. If we compare that assessment to ungulate populations in the state, for example, it would result in a mule deer doe/fawn ratio of 74 fawns per 100 mule deer does. Last year NDOW reported that mule deer fawn/doe ratios had improved greatly and reported a spring fawn/doe ratio of 50 fawns per 100 does for the first time. Similarly, antelope fawn/doe ratios also improved last year and were reported at 35 fawns per 100 does. Elk last year were 42 calves per 100 cows. Desert Bighorn sheep were 35 lambs per 100 ewes. Thus, a 75 juvenile per 100 adult female population of bobcats last year was very impressive. Some trappers felt the bobcat population in Southern Nevada had suffered somewhat the last few years. Trappers in Lincoln County were particularly concerned. However, juvenile/female ratios were still encouraging in the southern end of the state. For example, the Mojave region as a whole was still .44, or 44 juveniles per 100 adult females. If one averages the ratios for the hunt units which are included in Lincoln County, the ratios are similar. Trappers in Nevada have had, and we hope to continue to have, a great working relationship with NDOW and its biologists. We are also encouraged by the recent changes in the makeup of the Nevada Wildlife Commission and appreciate that the newly reorganized Commission listened to, and relied upon biological and trapper input in setting the bobcat and gray fox seasons.

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Scenes from the 2011 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

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.

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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...

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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.

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