December 8, 1999

AGENDA ITEM 3: Legislative Action Committee

It is quite apparent after many years that Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW) is not going to do anything about our predator problem. It is also quite apparent that the current Wildlife Commission is not going to do anything about our predator problem. It is also quite apparent that sportsmen are going to have to get involved if they want anything to be accomplished concerning predator control. NDOW doesn't want to do it and the Wildlife commissioners don't know how to get it done. Let me explain to you why nothing has been done and then give you solutions to the problem.

In 1976 when Willie Molini was a biologist he stated in the Mountain Lion Workshop's publication, "I would hate to see us get into the position where we have to control lions for the benefit of deer. It looks like the lions are taking considerably more deer per year than our hunters have harvested, at least in the last year or two." This statement was made by Willie Molini when the Department's 1976 Annual Report estimated the mountain lion population to be 375 to 400 lions. In March of 1996 Willie Molini stated that there were 3000 lions in Nevada. In November 1995 an NDOW employee stated that there had to be a minimum of 3200 lions in the state and maybe even 5000. On numerous occasions while Willie Molini was the administrator, he stated that we did not have a predator problem. It is real easy to figure, when he was a biologist, the State had 400 lions and he stated that they were decimating our deer. When he became an administrator and the State had 5000 lions, he stated we didn't have a predator problem. Willie

Molini's philosophy was an absolute disgrace to the sportsmen of Nevada.

It is the job of the wildlife commissioners to set policy for NDOW. Why haven't they done anything about the predator problem? The answer, they were trained by Willie Molini. Currently one third of the wildlife commissioners never attended a wildlife commission or county advisory board meeting before their appointments by former Governor Bob Miller. They didn't know anything so they bought into Willie Molini's philosophy of "we don't have a predator problem". In doing so they failed to listen to the sportsmen or represent them, sportsmen who fund 95% of NDOW. Ignorance by Willie Molini and deaf ears by the Wildlife Commission have let this predator problem get out of control. Former administrator Willie Molini and the Wildlife commissioners are to blame for the predator problem.

Our current administrator, Terry Crawforth has had the job for about a year and a half and he too has carried on the Willie Molini philosophy. All that Administrator Crawforth has done is add another year and a half onto his retirement check. It is now time for the sportsmen to get involved and correct this.

Sportsmen need to get a bill passed in the next legislative session. This bill will ask for funding for some predator control, again something that NDOW and the wildlife commissioners didn't do. Here is how sportsmen will accomplish this. First we need a legislator to sponsor the bill. We have a person here tonight who will help accomplish this. If we are successful, this money will go right into an ADC (Animal Damage Control) account and NDOW can't get their hands on it. Currently the ranchers do this and so can the sportsmen.

During the last legislative session, the HUNTER'S ALERT bill SB211 was being heard in the Assembly Natural Resources committee. It was then I had the pleasure of meeting Assemblyman Jerry Claborn.

Before the debate began on the bill, Assemblyman Claborn lit into Administrator Terry Crawforth. Assemblyman Claborn stated that he had hunted the Pioche area for years. The deer were practically gone and what was Crawforth going to do about it? Of course, Crawforth did not answer any of these questions. Those in attendance realized that Administrator Crawforth was nothing more than a Willie Molini with a grin.

HUNTER'S ALERT could have had any one of a number of legislators introduce this bill. But for this important task we asked someone who has a vested interest. First he is a hunter. Second, he knows how deer hunting has deteriorated and most importantly he cares about the future of hunting for his children and his grandchildren. Judging from Assemblyman Claborn's actions in the las session, he is the person who can help us get this bill passed. Sportsmen's groups need to get behind Assemblyman Claborn to insure passage of the bill. With some new wildlife commissioners this may also be the first time in a legislative session that we have them supporting sportsmen's bills which will also help get the bill passed.

AGENDA ITEM 6 AND 13: Predator Control and Overton Wildlife Management Area

I would like to make a brief comment concerning these two action items. I commend this County Advisory Board for continually trying to get something accomplished on these two items. I am sure this board realizes that it is hard to soar with the eagles when you guys are dealing with a bunch of turkeys (no offense to Guy Brown). I am sure the solution will be with some new wildlife commissioners who will truly listen to and represent the sportsmen. Also a new administrator who is not looking for a pension check would help you accomplish your goals. Hopefully we will see these changes in the next year. Thank you for your time.

By Cecil Fredi, President HUNTER'S ALERT