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Fourth Nevada bear hunt starts Monday
Nevada’s fourth season for black bear hunting starts today and if controversy over the hunt has died somewhat in intensity, opponents say they remain determined to keep up the fight.
Up to 20 bears can be legally killed during a hunt that lasts until Dec. 31, with hunting allowed across much of the east flank of the Carson Range and along other western Nevada mountain ranges including the Pine Nuts, Pine Groves, Desert Creek and the Sweetwater Range.
The hunt, approved by the Nevada Wildlife Commission in 2010 amid impassioned controversy, has resulting in the killing of 39 black bears over the course of three hunting seasons that started in 2011.
The 2014 hunt follows a review of the hunt’s first three years by wildlife commissioners who determined the state’s bear population can safely withstand continued hunting. Critics, however, blasted a review – ordered by the 2013 Legislature – that they characterize as inadequate.
“We’re not happy,” said Kathryn Bricker, founder of the nonprofit NoBearHuntNV. “We’re going into the fourth year without that process being completed and we think that should have been done.”
Bricker, who said she and others will bring their concerns to the 2015 Legislature, accused wildlife commissioners of ignoring widespread public opposition to the hunt.
Learn MoreDr. Stephen Stringham, has challenged NDOW Quota
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2012
A nationally renowned bear biologist, Dr. Stephen Stringham, has challenged the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s quota recommendation for the 2012 bear hunt, claiming “the State has not met its burden of proof that this population is robust enough to withstand repeated sport hunting without its viability being seriously jeopardized.”
Dr. Stringham’s findings corroborate those expressed earlier by Dr. Rick Hopkins, who will be speaking on behalf of NoBearHuntNV.org at the upcoming quota setting meeting of the Nevada Wildlife Commissioners on May 11-12 in Reno, NV. Dr. Hopkins will speak both at the Bear Committee meeting on May 10, as well as to the Commission on May 11.
Hired by NoBearHuntNV.org as an on-going independent peer review of the State’s data and analysis, Dr. Stringham’s just released report on the 2012 quota setting alleges:
1. Nevada’s bear population is more likely growing at the rate of 3 percent per year vs. 16 percent, as claimed by state biologist Carl Lackey.
2. The Jolly Seber model used by NDOW to calculate Nevada’s bear population growth rate rests upon assumptions that do not fit Nevada’s bear population. The result is “garbage in, garbage out.”
3. At even a 3 percent growth rate, hunting Nevada’s wild land bears “markedly increases risk of over harvest.”
4. NDOW’s plans to guard against over hunting Nevada’s bears, by reviewing various data in three year cycles, are seriously flawed. “So few bears could be harvested…that trends indicative of over harvest might not reach statistical significance for a decade or more, by which time the population could be seriously impacted.”
5. NDOW has failed to provide data and modeling that are spatially and demographically explicit in order to insure sustainable populations in the various wild land habitats of Nevada.
“Until better methods are employed, the risks of sport harvest appear to outweigh any benefits-benefits confined to one special interest group, trophy hunters,” Dr. Stringham concludes.
“These independent expert opinions all underpin NoBearHuntNV’s position that NDOW and the Commission should not be conducting a hunt or setting any quotas until they can produce peer-reviewed and published data and data analysis,” states Kathryn Bricker, Executive Director of NoBearHuntNV.org. “ While we appreciate the Commission removing the Tahoe Basin from the hunt, there have been no new studies to examine and address any effects on the bear population or bear distribution of hunting only outside the Lake Tahoe Basin. The lack of credible science upon which this bear hunt is based should be of concern to all Nevadans.”
Learn MoreBear hunt back from hibernation
Nevada’s controversial bear hunt began its third season Sunday, and will continue into its fourth if the Nevada Department of Wildlife has its way. The state’s bear population, which consists of anywhere between 400 and 700 bears, is more than enough to allow a limited hunt, spokesman Chris Healy said. For this reason, he said the department will likely recommend continuing the program when the Nevada Wildlife Commission reviews it in a few months. “We’ve been told by the legislation and wildlife commission that after three years, we would look at the number and discuss what are we doing right, what are we doing wrong, where does the population stand,” he said.
In 2010, the Nevada Department of Wildlife estimated there were about 350 to 450 bears in the state, Healy said. But the department anticipates that number has grown significantly over the last three years. The bear hunt is “tremendously beneficial” to the department because it helps track data, such as the animal’s population, Healy said. But Kathryn Bricker, executive director of NoBearHuntNV, disagrees. “We’ve had various internationally recognized ecologists and biologists review the data and they all said that hunting is not a necessary management tool,” Bricker said. “They hunt because they want to hunt, not because they want to manage the population.” Healy, however, said hunting is a well-recognized tool of wildlife management. “If we are going to stack up experts,” he said, “our experts will win that debate.”
Starting in 2011, bears in Nevada could be hunted in limited number. Fourteen were killed in 2011 and 11 were killed in 2012. No bears have been killed in 2013 so far, but the limit is 20. Since its inception, the hunt has attracted criticism from several organizations defending the bears, which are primarily killed in an area southeast of Minden and Gardnerville. No hunting is allowed on the Nevada side of the Tahoe Basin, following a decision in 2011 to appease critics. But Bricker said it’s not enough. “We’re all very glad that they made that exclusion,” she said. “However we feel the same about the bears in the Pine Nut (Mountains) and Sweet Water (Range).” Bricker is concerned that the state’s bear population is much lower than the Department of Wildlife estimates, she said. However, Healy said hunters aren’t the bears’ biggest threat. “The most dangerous thing to a bear is not a hunter,” he said, “it’s a car.” Cars have killed 158 bears in Nevada since 1997, according to data from the Nevada Department of Wildlife. About 80 were killed for public safety during the same period. “Harvesting 25 bears in two years is by no means going to put the population in any kind of danger,” Healy said of the last two Nevada bear hunts.
The decision to either continue or discontinue a bear hunt in Nevada ultimately lies with the state’s wildlife commission. The Nevada Dept. of Wildlife will make a recommendation to the commission later this year or early next year, Healy said, but calling off a bear hunt at this point would take a “biological disaster.”
This year’s hunt will end Dec. 31. In California, about 35,000 bears roam The Golden State, said Jason Holley, spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Of those, about 1,700 are killed from hunting each year. California also allows bear hunting in many areas of the Tahoe Basin.
Learn MoreNew rule doesn’t alter bear hunt purpose
The third year of Nevada’s Black Bear Trophy Hunt started Sept. 15 [”Review to follow Nevada’s third bear hunt,” Sept. 14]. Yes, until 2011 Nevada was the only state not permitting bear hunting.
That is because Nevada’s bear population is the smallest of all western states, numbering only in the hundreds. Good reason not to hunt them. Also, commissioners have allowed this hunt now, despite over 24,000 acres of the bears’ habitat in the Pine Nut Mountains having been destroyed in the recent Bison Fire.
While a “thorough review” of the hunt is being promised, why is using the meat even being considered as a change in the requirements? Is this not a bit of doubletalk? The public will not be fooled into thinking that 20 bears are being killed for food. If this hunt is continued, people will still consider it a trophy hunt.
NDOW spokesman stated it has “learned much” from the 25 bears killed in the past two years. First, this number is too small for significant information. Secondly, what happened to biologists getting sound scientific information from live bears? Killing bears is no “benefit to the bears.” It only benefits the 20 hunters who get a bear trophy.
Elaine Carrick, Reno
Learn MoreREVIEW TO FOLLOW NEVADA’S THIRD BEAR HUNT.
Nevada’s bear hunt begins its third season Sept. 15 and when it’s finished, state wildlife officials plan a thorough review of a practice that has generated substantial controversy.
Up to 20 black bears can be killed from when the season starts until it ends at sundown on Dec. 31.
It’s a number state biologists say Nevada’s bear population can easily handle. Vocal critics counter that one bear killed by hunters is too many and that when the Nevada Wildlife Commission conducts its three-year review of the hunt, it should be stopped for good.
“It is still evident that the vast majority of Nevadans are opposed to the hunt,” said Kathryn Bricker, executive director of NoBearHuntNV, the organization that unsuccessfully lobbied against the hunt.
“I hope they start respecting how people feel about this hunt and discontinue it,” Bricker said. “Nevada did fine without a bear hunt and I would like to see us return to that tradition.”
The hunt was approved by wildlife commissioners in 2010, ending Nevada’s status as the only western state that did not permit hunting of its black bears.
The vote followed a series of contentious hearings that had sportsmen supporting the plan and often impassioned critics opposing it. An attempt to kill the hunt in the 2013 Legislature failed.
During the inaugural hunt in 2011, 14 bears were taken by hunters. Another 11 were killed last year.
“We know it’s still not popular but we did listen to some of the concerns,” Nevada Department of Wildlife spokesman Chris Healy said, citing the commission’s 2011 decision to remove the Lake Tahoe Basin from areas where bear hunting is permitted.
Healy said biologists have learned much about the state’s bears as a result of the hunt, including that more bears live on mountain ranges east of the Sierra front than previously thought. Most of the bears killed by hunters were taken in places like the Pine Nut Mountains and the Sweetwater Range.
“We’re gaining a lot of knowledge on our wildland bears,” said Jack Robb, chairman of the wildlife commission. “It’s been a painful process but if nothing else, I think the bear hunt in the end will be of benefit to the bears.”
Robb promises a thorough review of the hunt after this season wraps up. One change he would like to see is that hunters be required to use the meat of bears killed, a rule that’s not on the books right now.
“We’ll be looking at the regulations top to bottom,” he said.
Robb also credited the hunt and the controversy surrounding it with helping to generate discussions on long-needed changes in trash management to reduce human-bear conflicts in places like Lake Tahoe’s Incline Village.
Learn MoreNEVADA WILDLIFE COMMISSION REJECTS PETITION TO BAN HOUND HUNTING BEARS
The Nevada Wildlife Commission rejected a petition to ban the use of dogs for hunting bears at its meeting in Las Vegas on Feb 1. The petition was filed by six conservation and animal rights organizations including NoBearHuntNV, Nevada Political Action for Animals, Humane Society of the Un…ited States, ASPCA, Nevada Humane Society and the Bear League.
A statewide survey conducted in January 2011 by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, Inc. showed that only 29 percent of Nevadans supported the practice of “hounding” bears, while 57 percent disapproved. Over half of other states conducting bear hunts have outlawed the practice as being unsporting and unnecessarily cruel both for the bears and dogs.
“The Commission’s decision not to hear legitimate arguments on an issue opposed by the majority of Nevadans demonstrates why legislative change to reconfigure the Wildlife Commission is needed in order to give fair representation to all Nevadans.,” stated Kathryn Bricker, Executive Director of No Bear Hunt NV.
Voting against hearing the petition were sportsmen’s representatives Commissioners Jeremy Drew, Michael McBeath, Scott Raine and Bill Young, ranching representative Peter Mori and farming representatives Grant Wallace. Supporting the petition was Governor Sandoval’s newly appointed and sole public representative, Dr. Karen Layne and conservation representative David McNinch.
Learn MorePART ONE PETITION TO BAN HOUNDS
NoBearHuntNV.org presented a petition at the Dec Wildlife Commission meeting to ban hound hunting bears. Below are 3 parts of the video of the meeting.
17* Petition — For Possible Action
Catherine M. Smith board member of No Bear Hunt NV has submitted a petition from a Corporation petitioning the Commission. The Commission may accept the petition and initiate regulatory action or deny the petition.
PART TWO PETITION TO BAN HOUNDS
17* Petition — For Possible Action
Catherine M. Smith board member of No Bear Hunt NV has submitted a petition from a Corporation petitioning the Commission to change “NAC 503.147 Hunting with a dog. (NRS 501.105, 501.181, 503.150) It is unlawful to hunt, chase or pursue: Any black bear or mountain lion with a dog except during the open season, in an open management area and under the authority of a hunting license.
PART THREE PETITION TO BAN HOUNDS
17* Petition — For Possible Action
Catherine M. Smith board member of No Bear Hunt NV has submitted a petition from a Corporation petitioning the Commission to change “NAC 503.147 Hunting with a dog. (NRS 501.105, 501.181, 503.150) It is unlawful to hunt, chase or pursue: Any black bear or mountain lion with a dog except during the open season, in an open management area and under the authority of a hunting license.
Humane Society president on Nevada wildlife board
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — An animal advocate has been named to the Nevada Wildlife Commission — the first such appointment in recent memory to a board that has come under fire by critics who say it’s unfairly stacked with hunters.
Karen Summers Layne is president of the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society. She was appointed to the nine-member policy board by Gov. Brian Sandoval on Oct. 3. Her appointment follows that of former Clark County Sheriff Bill Young in July.
“It’s going to be an interesting position,” Layne told The Associated Press.
Layne, 65, spoke against hunting black bears when the commission held hearings on instituting Nevada’s inaugural bear season in 2010. The hunting season was ultimately approved and continues.
Learn MoreNevada hunt foes: ban dogs from chasing bears
Opponents of Nevada’s controversial bear hunt are seeking new regulations banning the use of dogs to chase down bears, a practice they describe as cruel and unnecessary.
A petition seeking the change, submitted by a coalition of organized foes of the bear hunt and animal welfare groups, is scheduled to be considered by the Nevada Wildlife Commission when it meets in Reno on Dec. 7.
“It does not honor the ethics of fair chase,” Kathryn Bricker, executive director of NoBearHuntNV.org, said of the use of trained hounds during a bear hunt.
Bricker’s group filed the petition along with Nevada Political Action for Animals, the Bear League, the Nevada Humane Society, Humane Society for the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Learn MoreED GUROWITZ FREE SPEECH AND THE FBI
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — In the past couple of weeks’ columns we’ve been looking at the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of expression, particularly freedom of speech. The first ten amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, has always seemed interesting to me
Learn MoreIS THE NEVADA BEAR POPULATION REALLY GROWING?
IF SO, HOW FAST?
Stephen F. Stringham, PhD Consulting Wildlife Biologist WildWatch 39200 Alma Ave, Soldotna, AK 99669. NDOW justification for claiming that the Nevada bear population can sustain anannual harvest of about 8% of the population.
ACLU wants FBI records about Nevada bear hunt foes
LAS VEGAS — The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada is demanding to know what information the FBI has collected about people who spoke against bear hunting in the Lake Tahoe area during contentious public meetings earlier this year in northern Nevada.
Learn MoreMARK SMITH BONANZA ARTICLE
Please read this great article written by Guest Column Mark Smith: Setting bear quota would be illegal for NDOW. By Mark E. Smith — Mark E. Smith is an Incline Village resident and creator of the Facebook group “Lake Tahoe Wall of Shame. Special to the Bonanza
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — On May 12th the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners will meet to set the quota for the 2012 Nevada Black Bear Hunt. Any quota setting at this time is both illegal and without any scientific basis and should be postponed until NDOW can properly prepare for the hunt. Here are just a few reasons why:
The Bear Management Plan was adopted with no public input, against public policy and NRS. In fact, the draft document was actively withheld from the public until it was adopted. A number of organizations and individuals had requested to review draft versions of the plan, myself included.
Learn MoreURBAN BEARS ARE NOT WHO THE HUNTERS KILL
A recent letter writer (Joanne King, Sept. 19 edition) closes her letter by asking “Why don’t we let the licensed bear hunters in Nevada kill the nuisance trash bears instead of the innocent wild bears they now kill?”
The answer is simple: urban bears are not who the hunters kill. As demonstrated in the 2011 hunt, not a single bear taken had been tagged, which means they had never been a “nuisance” or urbanized. Every authoritive study on this subject predicted that — hunters hunt in the forest, not the streets of Stateline. Those same studies also found, with convincing evidence, that hunts actually do the reverse — they push woodland bears into urban areas and increase human-bear conflict. That’s because bears are smart and they adapt quickly. Chase them with hounds in the forest and they’ll move into the “safety” of neighborhoods.
Learn More