Nevada Board of Wildlife Commission Meeting - November 7, 2025
Nevada Board of Wildlife Commission Meeting - November 7, 2025
The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commission met on Friday, November 7, 2025, in Reno to discuss and act on a range of wildlife management issues. The meeting included tributes to the late Dr. Don Moldy, approval of minutes and agenda, reports from department divisions and committees, an appeal hearing, and action on elk management, bighorn sheep transplants, and guide accountability regulations. The commission also recognized retiring commissioner David McNinch and conservation education administrator Chris Vasey.
Consent Calendar
- Agenda Approval: The commission approved the agenda with an adjustment to move Item 12 (Wayne E. Kirch Award) forward.
- Minutes Approval: The minutes from June 13-14, 2025 were approved (Commissioners Rogers, Young, and Walther abstained due to absence). The minutes from September 26-27, 2025 were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tributes to Dr. Don Moldy: Multiple speakers honored the late Dr. Don Moldy, a longtime wildlife advocate. Speakers included Rebecca Goff (Nevada State Director, Humane World for Animals), Kathy Smith (Washoe County), Stephanie Myers (Las Vegas), Patrick Donnelly (Center for Biological Diversity), Janna Rye (Clark County), and Michelle Lute (Wildlife for All). They highlighted his dedication to science-based wildlife management, mentoring, and tireless advocacy for carnivores and ethical governance.
- Other Public Comments: Neil Cheney (Lincoln County CAB) expressed support for the elk adaptive population objectives but requested no increase in herd 231, 242, and 223. Larry Johnson (Coalition for Nevada’s Wildlife) supported the adaptive management approach. Jim Cooney (Elko CAB) reported unanimous CAB support for the elk plan addendum. Kathy Smith thanked outgoing Commissioner David McNinch. Neil Cheney (Trappers Association) noted the absence of thermal violation reports during hunting season. Additional public comment on Zoom honored Dr. Moldy and thanked Commissioner McNinch.
Discussion Items
- Elk Adaptive Population Objectives (Addendum #2): Wildlife staff specialist Cody McKee presented a nimble process for adjusting elk population objectives annually by up to 10% without full subplan revisions. The renamed and reinvigorated Elk Damage and Incentive Subcommittee will meet twice yearly. The commission approved the addendum.
- Big Game Release Plan Amendment: Staff specialist Mike Cox proposed amendments for desert bighorn sheep and California bighorn sheep. Key items included depopulating the North Pancake Range (due to disease risk from domestic sheep) and augmenting the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge herd. Discussion centered on mountain lion predation concerns, especially on the Sheldon. The commission approved with direction to prioritize Quinn Canyon and Reveille ranges for desert sheep, and to require a predator management plan for the Sheldon before augmentation.
- Guide Accountability Regulations: Captain Jake Kramer presented draft revisions to NAC 504 to establish accountability for master guides regarding subguides, including timeframes for past violations and penalty structures. The commission expressed support and directed staff to bring a formal proposal to a future meeting.
- Department Project Donation Guidance Update: Director Janae outlined updates to donation policies, including a donor intent form, clearer project coordination, and de minimis check-off for unspent funds. The update will be shared with NGOs before final commission review.
- Litigation Report: DAGs Richard Yen and Nicole Ting updated on Pershing County Water District vs. Adam Sullivan (water rights case) and the Walker River decree. Both cases remain ongoing.
Key Outcomes
- Agenda Approved (motion by Vice Chair Young, second by Commissioner Walther).
- June 2025 Minutes Approved (motion by Commissioner Walther, second by Commissioner Cavilia; Rogers, Young, Walther abstained).
- September 2025 Minutes Approved (motion by Commissioner Cavilia, second by Commissioner Mesna).
- Appeal Dismissed: The appeal of Kristen Cardin’s five-year license revocation was dismissed with prejudice for failure to appear (motion by Vice Chair Young, second by Commissioner Walther).
- Elk Adaptive Population Objectives Approved: Motion by Commissioner Keel, second by Commissioner Bourne. Unanimous.
- Big Game Release Plan Amendment Approved: Motion by Commissioner Cavilia, second by Commissioner Mesna. Includes focus on Quinn Canyon and Reveille ranges for desert sheep, and condition that predator management be addressed for Sheldon augmentation.
- Guide Regulations: The commission directed staff to proceed with formal language for a future adoption hearing.
- Service Recognitions: David McNinch (commissioner, 24 years) and Chris Vasey (Conservation Education administrator, 28 years) were honored. A social gathering followed at the Little Waldorf Saloon.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:15 PM, to reconvene at 8:30 AM the following day.
Meeting Transcript
One nation under God with liberty and justice or all. All right, thank you for that. And if I could have the department take a roll call, please. Chairman Rogers. Here. Vice Chair Young. Here. Commissioner Booth. Commissioner Bourne. Commissioner Cavillio. Commissioner Keel. Commissioner Mesna. Commissioner Munn. Commissioner Wolfe. All right, thank you. And how about any county advisory board members to manage wildlife? If there's any in attendance here today, if I could have you stand, maybe come down to the mic for those that are attending as well on virtual, but if I could have you come down to the mic and identify yourself. Jim Cooney, Yelko. Darrell Scoobina Lion County. Joe Cream, Pershing. Neil Cheney, Lincoln County. Doris Dimmick, Carson City. How about any county advisory board members on Zoom? Steve Robinson Washoe. Public comment will be limited to three minutes. No action can be taken by the commission at this time. Any item requiring commission action may be scheduled on a future commission agenda. Persons making comments are asked to begin by stating their name for the record. So how about any public comment here in Reno today? Pioneer, colleague, mentor, friend for nearly forty years. Some of his best work was in the conservation of wildlife. Don had faith in science and faith in the systems connected to common sense and to science. Because Don was brilliant and relentless, there were those weaker souls who tried various means to silence him to stop him. They were not successful by any of those means. And I think about Don every time I hear the following quote. Now, a few examples of Don's tree shade or legacy. Since last July, Nevada Animal Advocates recruited by and associated with Don Moldy, have participated in habitat restoration in three different areas in Nevada, have contributed at least 10,000 to various NGO projects, have cleaned up urban and suburban wildlife areas in three different counties, have conducted wildlife classes in two different youth outdoor schools, have participated in two community science projects, and have attended at least seven community meetings and events regarding the need for protection and resources for our state's wildlife. And this is just in the last four months. Don't selfless efforts and the wonderful base he created for Nevada's wildlife will live on the morning. My name is Rebecca Goff. I'm the Nevada State Director for Humane World for Animals. On behalf of my organization, our members here in Nevada and myself, I'm speaking today in honor of Don Moldy. I didn't have the privilege of knowing him very long, only about two years. But even in that time, he made a big impact in my life. He showed me that you can speak up for things that you believe in. You can cross the aisle and talk to people who maybe are maybe believe things differently than you. You could disagree, but you can have civil discourse. I appreciate all that he did for the wildlife of Nevada and all that he did for our state. He loved this state, and he loved the work that he did. And I hope that he'll be a lasting inspiration to all of us.
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