Mule deer tag bill opposed

Tuesday, March 15, 2005 | 9:02 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Assemblyman Jerry Claborn, D-Las Vegas, says he wants to make the drawing of hunting tags for mule deer fairer, but he ran into a barrage of opposition from hunters Monday.

Claborn introduced Assembly Bill 116 that would stop a hunter who got a deer one season from applying for a tag in the following season. His bill, he said "makes sure everybody gets a tag in Nevada."

He received support from Las Vegas Councilman Gary Reese, who testified to the Committee of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining Committee that many people don't get a tag for many years. He noted that there already is a rule that a hunter must sit out a year if he or she bags an elk or some other big game.

Reese wants that policy to apply to mule deer, but a parade of witnesses testified against the bill.

Tom Smith, a representative of the Coalition for Nevada Wildlife, said there should be no law restricting the tag drawing.

"This would be the same as telling a jackpot winner that you can't pull the handle for another year."

Chris MacKenzie, representing the Nevada Wildlife Commission, said it is drawing up a plan for mule deer and that should be allowed to proceed.

About 40,000 people apply for a deer tag every year. At the drawing, 15,000 get a tag and the success rate for harvesting a deer is 35-40 percent. MacKenzie said this bill would stop 6,000 people from reapplying after they get a deer.

Rick Elmore testified he hasn't received a deer tag for seven years but the Nevada allocation is "one of the most fairest in the United States." He said he was "not sure it is a good idea" to stop 6,000 hunters from applying.

Fred Church of the Nevada Bow Hunters Association, said there is a youth drawing and they "get tags almost every year." He said the state is trying to promote hunting to the young and this sends the wrong message.

Janine Hansen of the Eagle Forum said hunting is an "important family experience." She said the real problem is that predators are hurting the deer herds. Mike Hawkins told the committee that fire and drought have thinned the herds.

He said California gives everyone a tag but the success rate is very low. He said Claborn's bill would prompt hunters to do their shooting in other states and Nevada might not get that business back.

"Once you lose a hunter, they keep going," he testified.

While the bill would require a successful hunter sitting out one season, witnesses said it would not guarantee others would receive a tag. There would still be a random drawing for tags.

The committee did not take action on AB116.