No bears killed on first day of Nevada hunt
By Geralda Miller, Reno Gazette-Journal
Several hours after the sunrise start of Nevada’s first black bear hunt, a small group gathered near Tahoe Meadows to pray for the hunter and the hunted.
The Blessing of the Bears began with organizer Kat Simmons beating a drum 41 times with a prayer for the 41 hunters that received tags to hunt.
“We pray that hearts and minds can be opened to the sanctity of life instead of the thrill of death,” Simmons told the group standing among the trees. “I don’t want to come from the spirit of anger. I’m not about hating the hunters or being malicious toward them.”
Only six hunters turned out on the opening day of the season, and no bears were killed, state Department of Wildlife spokesman Chris Healy said. He said the low turnout wasn’t surprising because of hot weather, and wildlife officials expect activity to pick up in the fall when temperatures cool down.