Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners Meeting - May 8, 2026

The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners met on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 8:30 AM in Reno, with a roll call establishing a quorum. The meeting featured discussions on habitat status, predator management, archery regulations, a new wildlife salvage permit, and updates to commission policies. Key votes included approval of the agenda (moving an item from Saturday), approval of minutes, first reading of Commission Policy 24, and adoption of the FY2027 Predator Management Plan (8-1).

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Item #3 (Approval of the Agenda): Approved unanimously after a motion to move Agenda Item 21 (Biennial Big Game Release Plan) from Saturday to Friday, if time permits.
• Agenda Item #4 (Approval of Minutes): Approved unanimously for the March 13-14, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rebecca Goff (Nevada State Director, Humane World for Animals): Opposed the FY2027 Predator Management Plan (Agenda Item 10). Cited research showing predator control has "generally no effect in the long term on ungulate populations." Criticized the use of leg-hold traps, snares, aerial gunning, and calling devices, describing them as cruel. Submitted a written statement with peer-reviewed scientific citations.
• Mel (Washoe County resident): Supported the predator management plan and the work of Mr. Bennett, noting positive results in Washoe County.
• Henry Evans (member of the public): Presented a petition to remove the 80% compound bow let-off limit from NAC 503.144, arguing the regulation is outdated, unenforceable in the field, and that most new bows exceed the limit.
• Chris Jasmine (Elko County resident): Opposed the petition to remove the let-off limit, arguing that higher let-off makes bows easier to hold and would increase archery success rates. Urged the commission not to change regulations based on manufacturer interests and to define legal bows if the change passes.
• Larry Johnson (co-founding director, Outdoorsmen and Wheelchairs): Supported the disability permit revisions (CGR 529), stating the language is well-written and urging passage.
• Senator Robin Titus: Supported the wildlife salvage permit regulation (CGR 527), calling it a "passion of mine" and thanking the commission for considering it.
• Paul Dixon (Clark County CAB Chair): Provided multiple comments: (1) Requested a presentation on hounding in bear and mountain lion hunting; (2) Asked if NDOW has worked with NV Energy to raven-proof transmission lines near leks; (3) Supported the disability permit revisions; (4) Questioned clarity in Section 7 of the salvage permit regulation, specifically about moving unsalvageable parts of large animals 200 feet from the roadway.

Discussion Items

• Habitat Status and Trend Presentation: Matt Glenn presented on the loss of 71% of core sagebrush habitat in Nevada, the inverse relationship between mule deer populations and cheatgrass cover, and a poor snowpack year (reaching near zero by March 28, 2026, weeks early). Despite this, NDOW treated over 150,000 acres for winter annuals and aerial seeding. Commissioners discussed the need to bring habitat data down to the hunt-unit scale for management decisions.
• Commission Policy 24 (First Reading): Sean Espinoza presented changes to hunting opportunities among weapons and hunter groups. Key changes included limiting junior hunters to one junior tag from the main draw (with a second possible via alternate draws), expanding the desired buck-to-doe ratio from 30:100 to 30-40:100, and increasing junior horn-shorter-than-ears antelope allocation from 50% to 60% (to be effective at a future meeting). Staff noted the absence of a statewide Mule Deer Management Plan, leading commissioners to request a future discussion.
• FY2027 Predator Management Plan: Joe Bennett presented a $614,000 proposed budget (of $722,000 available), with realized savings allowing a reserve balance of at least $100,000. The plan includes six projects covering raven removal, mountain lion removal, coyote removal, and mesopredator control. Commissioner Munn questioned whether the plan meets the department's own goals for science-based, quantitative management.
• Compound Bow Let-off Limit Petition: Henry Evans petitioned to remove the 80% let-off limit for compound bows. Game Warden Captain Kramer stated the regulation is unenforceable in the field and that 46 other states have removed it. Commissioner Cavilia moved to accept the petition for further workshop discussion (passed 8-1, with Commissioner Munn opposed).
• Disability Permit Program Revisions (CGR 529): Matt Maples presented a third workshop on revisions to NAC 503.146 and NAC 502.429. Changes include restricting crossbow sights to non-variable power (e.g., red dot sights), expanding qualifying medical conditions to include severe spinal stenosis confirmed by imaging, and defining which medical professionals can sign off on permits. The regulation was moved forward for further review.
• Wildlife Salvage Permit Regulation (CGR 527): Captain Kramer presented a first workshop on a regulation to implement SB 215, allowing salvage of game mammals (except black bear) and game birds (except crow) killed by vehicle collisions or incidental events. The commission directed staff to refine definitions, consider multiple photos, address 48-hour surrender deadlines, and consider urban disposal of remains.
• Biennial Big Game Release Plan (Amendment 2): Sean Espinoza presented removals of several release proposals (e.g., Stillwater, Hot Creek, Quinn Canyon) and new recommendations, including 30 bighorn to the Tobin Range (Unit 045) and antelope releases to the Seven Troughs Range (Unit 041) and Garden/Coal Valley (Unit 133), contingent on habitat conditions. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Votes and Decisions:
  • Agenda approved unanimously (Item 3).
  • Minutes approved unanimously (Item 4).
  • Commission Policy 24 (first reading) approved with a motion to pause Section 1A (mule deer buck ratios) for future discussion and increase junior horn-shorter-than-ears allocation to 60% (future implementation).
  • FY2027 Predator Management Plan adopted (8-1, Commissioner Munn opposed) (Item 10).
  • Petition to remove compound bow let-off limit accepted for workshop (8-1) (Item 11).
  • Disability permit program revisions (CGR 529) moved forward for further review (Item 12A).
  • Wildlife salvage permit regulation (CGR 527) directed for refinement (Item 12B).
  • Amendment 2 to the Biennial Big Game Release Plan approved unanimously (Item 21).
• Directives and Next Steps:
  • Staff directed to refine language in the salvage permit regulation regarding definitions, multiple photos, 48-hour deadline (potentially change to working days), and urban disposal.
  • Staff to continue discussions on Commission Policy 24 Section 1A (mule deer) and the Mule Deer Management Plan at a future meeting.
  • The Mule Deer Enhancement Summit was announced for July 23-25, 2026, in Ely, Nevada.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 12:55 PM; reconvening at 8:30 AM on Saturday, May 9, 2026.