At the January Wildlife Commission meeting, the commissioners heaped praise on NDOW for assembling the "Comprehensive Mountain Lion Management Plan". This draft consists of 114 pages and the majority of this information comes from a study done over a ten year period from approximately 1972 to 1982. At that time it was estimated that there were 792 lions in the state. This study was called 'The Mountain Lion in Nevada" and David Ashman was the chief biologist responsible for this publication. Listed below are some findings of David Ashman's which were not included in NDOW's "Comprehensive Mountain Lion Management Plan" and comments from HUNTER'S ALERT

DA: The rate of kitten survival in Nevada is good and when coupled with the lion's high reproductive potential, it can be speculated that mountain lions are capable of rapidly replacing individuals that are removed from the population.

HA: In other words, heavy hunting is not going to endanger the lion.

DA: It appears that under moderate to heavy exploitation (30-50% removal) Nevada lion populations have the recruitment capability of rapidly replacing annual losses.

HA: NDOW states that there are 3190 lions and last year's harvest was 197 or 6%. That's a far cry from 30-50% removal.

DA: In examining both sport harvest and depredation harvest records from the time that they were both recorded statewide (1969-70 through 1981-82) it is obvious that the harvest rate has never been high.

HA: It is apparent that it has never been high by the increase in mountain lion numbers and decrease in deer numbers.

DA: The estimated annual recruitment for lion population in Nevada is believed to be about 30%.

HA: In other words, 30% of 3190 lions would be 957 lions to be harvested. That's substantially less than 197 taken last year.

DA: Additional data is needed on the effects of lion predation on deer.

HA: Had this been done, NDOW should have realized the lions are severely reducing our deer.

Also included in 'The Mountain Lion in Nevada" was the Policy Statement adopted by the Wildlife Commission in April, 1981. Some of the statements are listed below.

• 1. Major mammalian predators (coyote, mountain lion, bobcat) would be managed to minimize livestock losses from predation and minimize excessive wildlife losses from predation without endangering the existence or natural role of these predators in the ecosystem.
• 5. Initiate predator control efforts on the basis of the best biological information available.
• 6. Direct predator control efforts including sport hunting and trapping, whenever possible to prevent damage before it occurs in specific areas known to be recurring problem areas or alleviate damage as soon as possible after it occurs.
• 8. Employ predator control methods which are selected on the basis of the species involved, utilizing currently approved methods in the proper mix according to the needs. These methods may include aerial hunting, M-44, trapping, snares, denning and predacides.

HA: Who are we kidding here? NDOWs current policy on predator control is non- existent. And that is why our deer herds are in such bad shape.

Additionally, in the "Mountain Lion in Nevada" study, a chart, "Analysis of 14 Mountain Lion Stomachs Collected in Eastern Nevada" indicated the highest percentage of occurrence was mule deer at 64.3%. Another finding showed lion scats (droppings) indicated that deer were most often found over other food sources. Additionally, Robinette's comprehensive study of mountain lions (1959) showed that the staple food was the mule deer.

HA: If NDOWs own biologist reported that deer were the main food of the lion, and other biologists report it, and with all of the sportsmen testifying, why is it so hard for the wildlife commissioners to figure out what's going on?