Thursday, April 30, 1998 | 10:14 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- For a good part of the past 18 years, Willie Molini has been on the hot seat as director of the state Division of Wildlife.
On occasion, hunters and other groups have called for the firing of Molini for a variety of reasons, including the decline in Nevada's deer herds, mismanagement of the division and the protection of mountain lions.
"This is one position that is bathed in controversy," said Peter Morros, director of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, who is Molini's boss.
That apparently hasn't watered down interest in the $72,000-a-year job. Eleven people have applied to replace Molini who is retiring in September. The deadline for applications was Monday and there were six division employees who want the top spot. There are two other candidates from Nevada; two from Arizona; and one from South Carolina.
The state Wildlife Commission will interview and rate the applicants and then recommend three or four names to Morros who makes the final choice. Names of the 11 were not released.
Molini apparently will bow out on a high note. His division is recommending a 21 percent increase in the number of mule deer tags and there's a proposed quote of 5,000 tags for the newly instituted youth deer hunt.
"In spite of the propaganda that Hunters Alert has been putting out, the mountain lion hasn't eaten all of the deer," Morros quipped.
The Nevada Hunters Association has been one of Molini's most severe critics. President Gerald Lent says Molini's "lack of leadership abilities has brought this wildlife division down to its knees."
Lent cites the financial problems encountered by the agency and the cost overruns in developing computer systems for wildlife among its problems.
"Molini took a state agency with more than a $1 million surplus, doubling its yearly expenditures in a five-year period and creating a need to borrow from the state's general fund to stay afloat," writes Lent in a recent edition of the hunters association's publication.
Morros acknowledges Molini has had "internal budget problems." But the budget is complicated, Morros said, adding there are myriad sources of revenue that come into the department to be used for certain programs.
"Overall, he (Molini) has been a director that enhanced the wildlife of this state," Morros said.
Under his leadership, Molini has helped preserve or create new recreational areas, Morros said. New hatcheries have been built; fishing has been upgraded; and wildlife habitat has been increased.
"He (Molini) has done a lot to get the mining companies to step up to the plate and cough up funds," for new or increased wildlife programs and land acquisitions, according to Morros.
Morros said he hopes to name a replacement before Molini retires in September.
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