Nevada Bear Hunting Ban Introduced

Posted on February 14, 2013

Anti-hunting organizations in Nevada are continuing their efforts to stop bear hunting in the state. Recently introduced Senate Bill 82, sponsored by the Senate Natural Resources Committee, would classify black bears as a protected mammal in the state and would ban all bear hunting.

The bill was introduced after the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners denied a petition filed by anti-hunting organizations to ban bear hunting with dogs. Now, they are pushing a complete ban on all bear hunting.

“These groups continue to show their true anti-hunting agenda,” said Jeremy Rine, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance In-House Counsel. “Following their defeat in front of the wildlife commission, they have now turned to the legislature to try and push their true agenda. Nevada sportsmen need to take action today to protect hunting in the state.”

Nevada established its first bear hunting season in 2011 after studies showed the state’s bear population was sustainable and growing. The Nevada Department of Wildlife took a modest and measured approach to bear hunting and set very conservative hunt quotas for the bear seasons to balance bear management and ensure sustainable populations.

Senate Bill 82 would politicize wildlife management and would take hunting, a valuable tool for bear management, out of the Department’s hands. Bear hunting helps manage populations to reduce human-bear conflicts and to ensure bear populations remain healthy.

Take Action! Nevada sportsmen should contact their state senator and members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee and tell them to vote no on Senate Bill 82. Visit USSA’s Legislative Action Center

Nevada Senate Natural Resources Committee

Chair Aaron Ford (D-Las Vegas)

Vice Chair Mark Manendo (D-Las Vegas)

Pete Goicoechea (R-Eureka)

Tick Segerblom (D-Las Vegas)

James Settelmeyer (R-Minden)