Nevada officials make bear hunt permanent event
By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal
Nevada’s first black bear hunt can continue in future years under regulations unanimously adopted by wildlife officials Saturday.
The Nevada Wildlife Commission, facing one of its most controversial issues in recent memory, voted to make regulations guiding the hunt permanent.
The vote came after critics urged commissioners not to do so, instead asking for an independent review of science indicating that the state’s bear population will support a limited hunt.
Commissioners said they believe that science to be sound.
“I am confident in the science supplied by (the Nevada Department of Wildlife), and that is why I am supporting making this a permanent regulation,” said commission chairman Mike McBeath.
“Our job is to preserve, protect, manage and restore populations of game animals,” McBeath said. “Making this a permanent regulation helps us do that.”