The Nevada mountain lion population is estimated at 2,000, which means lions eat 100,000 deer and sheep each year. As if we didn't have enough of a problem with our own predators, the influx of lions from California amounts to an invasion by an invisible, deer-eatin' army.

Nevada's deer population is near its lowest point in 40 years. In 2007, hunters only harvested 8,919. We have seen the largest herd of desert bighorn sheep in the world nearly extirpated by lions.

We do have a year-round lion season with two tags allowed for each hunter, but this sport hunting is not taking nearly enough lions to control their predation. Send every lion and coyote hunter you know to Nevada-before we completely run out of big game.

Scott Raine
Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners