hunters and fishermen can expect improvement in their favorite outdoor activities in the not too distant future, thanks to passage of AB307, restructuring the state's Wildlife Commission. The Commission, originally all sportsmen, was changed, starting in 1979. Out of nine members, four remained sportsmen representatives, and the other five were divided amongst several different groups. The Governor got to make all the selections to the board. The sportsmen agreed to these changes, based on the assurance that the state would now help fund a large portion of the wildlife budget. In retrospect, the sportsmen were naive and got taken to the cleaners. What happened? Well, the sportsmen still paid virtually all the bills; the Governor appointed a bunch of political cronies with limited interest or background in fish and game matters; and, the Commission and the fish and game agency they were supposed to guide began to follow an increasingly environmentalist direction, with a corresponding decline in programs that would directly benefit the average guy who hunted or fished in Nevada.

Sportsmen, as a whole, are not group oriented. But when problems are not addressed year after year, and your favorite recreational opportunities decline consistently, the climate becomes ripe for organized efforts at change. One of the most effective groups at organizing the more concerned sportsmen is Hunters Alert, headed by Cecil Fredi, of Las Vegas. Founded in 1990, Hunters Alert became very politically active, endorsing and funding candidates, as well as publishing a hard hitting newsletter that cut through the bull and went right to the heart of the issues. This organization quickly spread throughout Nevada. Originally regarded as extreme, they have since proven correct on several points, and mainstream sportsmen organizations, such as Ducks Unlimited, Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited, the Coalition for Nevada's Wildlife, and almost all other sportsmen's groups around the state worked in conjunction with them to pass legislation beneficial to the average sportsmen. The main piece of legislation in the 199 5 legislature supported by all groups was AB307, proposing increased sportsmen representation on the state Wildlife Commission, as well as creating some standards for selecting the sportsmen representatives on the Commission.

The original bill that all sportsmen's groups were agreed upon consisted of the following changes: 1. To increase the sportsmen's representatives on the nine member Wildlife commission from four to five, giving sportsmen-who pay over 95% of the bills-a majority (5-4) seating; 2. To give to the Wildlife Commission financial oversight and budget authority for the Nevada Division of Wildlife, (currently they have none); 3. Before

being appointed, a potential sportsmen representative must have held a hunting and /or fishing license three of the last four years; 4. Limit the maximum number of Commissioners from one county to two, (currently it is up to three), and 5. The Governor must appoint sportsmen representatives from a pool selected by the County Advisory Boards to Manage Wildlife, (commonly referred to as County Game Boards).

The County Game Boards are a hold over from the days each county controlled the game within its borders. Each county has one. They are strictly advisory in authority, and are largely ignored by the state Wildlife Commission and the Division of Wildlife. This proposal would have greatly enhanced their importance, and changed them, as part of the selection process, into a major player in the wildlife management decisions of the state. This in turn would greatly increase the ability of the sportsmen of each county to have real influence again.

These proposed changes were reached through a series of compromises, and not without some serious infighting along the way. Groups which had been traditionally hostile came together, and a unified front was presented to the legislature.

Ah, the legislature...

Here's where the fighting really began. Note that not a single sportsmen group opposed the bill. Not one. Yet, the state Wildlife Commission, including all four of the "sportsmen's representatives, opposed the bill.

)his fact alone shows why the changes were so needed, and opened the eyes of many who originally supported maintaining the status quo. The sportsmen in effect had no representation. And, of course, NDOW Administrator Willie Molini came out against it, as well as Molini's boss, Conservation and Natural Resources Director Pete Morros.

The bill was heard and debated in the Assembly Natural Resources, and after some heavy lobbying by Molini and Morros, the budgetary Authority concept was removed. Molini and Monros didn't like the idea of the Wildlife Commission having any real say in how the sportsmen generated revenues are spent, and the "authority" was reduced to a "review" status.

The Wildlife Commission, neutered in the 1993 state government reorganization, would remain financially impotent.

Once out of committee, AB307 passed the whole Assembly, 40-2. On to the Senate. After its somewhat unexpected passage, the Governor let it be known that he was going to veto AB307. Miller had used appointments to the Commission as a political perk, and had no interest in change. Governor Miller vetoes only a very small number of bills, so this sent a Shockwave through the Senate.

Additionally, former Governor Mike O'Callaghan, now a columnist for the Las Vegas Sun, attacked AB307 in his column, claiming it was a "Screw Clark County" bill.

In an effort to placate the Governor, the compromise game was again played, and two sections were Ranged. The maximum number of commissioners from any one county was left at three, and the Governor did not have to pick the sportsmen's representatives from a pool supplied by the County Game Boards. Their recommendations were now only advisory in nature.

With the Governor threatening veto, AB307 passed the Senate on a party line vote, with most of the Democrats voting against it, and all the Republicans, except Senator Bill Raggio, voting for it. It passed 14-7.

Because of the changes, the Assembly got another shot at it. Republican Majority Leader Pete Ernaut met with the Governor, and told him flat out that if he vetoed AB307, another bill, AB212, would not pass the Assembly. (AB212 was an almost one million dollar license and tag fee increase desperately sought by Molini). Hardball politics began. Soon the word came down. The Governor would sign AB307.

It was passed by the Assembly, the Governor signed it, and it is now the law.

This was a significant victory in several ways for Nevada's Sportsmen. Besides the changes to the Wildlife Commission, it brought together and unified diverse groups, opened up the lines of communication, and created a strongly organized and politically seasoned statewide core of sportsmen-activists. Additionally, it will reestablish the County Game Board as a force to be reckoned with, and therefore empower rural sportsmen influence in Wildlife decisions.

The real workhorse for this bill was Assemblyman Dave Humke of Reno.

Although not a sportsman, Humke worked very hard on AB307 and was instrumental in getting it passed. He is a true friend to sportsmen and showed his commitment to making all government agencies more user friendly as well as more accountable to the people they are expected to serve.

Next session, a more educated and organized coalition will return to again fight for the best interests of Nevada's sportsmen.

The trend of sportsmen and county exclusion from the process is now halted; AB307 is an excellent first step in restoring citizen involvement in the management of hunting and fishing in Nevada.

by IRA HANSEN
Reprinted from The Sparks Tribune July 26, 1995
Ira Hansen is a longtime Sparks resident. His column appears on Wednesday.