Hunting with hounds, bear hunting and lion hunting are on the “to do” list for these groups and they are showing their cards in several states this legislative session.
According to the Las Vegas Review Journal no immediate action was taken on the bill. The bill drew opposition by 30 people who, due to time constraints were not all allowed to testify. The bill drew minimal support with supporters citing “fair chase” as their primary reason.
Since 2011 82 bears were hunted in Nevada with 70% of those taken with hounds. Interestingly 72 were hit and killed by vehicles.
Animal-right groups have targeted hunting with dogs because there are relatively few dog hunters compared to the overall population. However, dogs are especially effective at tracking down problem wildlife, including bears that can sometimes wander into potentially dangerous places such as parks, school playgrounds, neighborhoods and more. Black bears are thriving throughout the country, causing dangerous conflicts with humans.
“Decisions about managing wildlife, especially dangerous predators, should be left to Nevada’s wildlife professionals,” said Luke Houghton associate director of state services. “Assembly Bill 443 brings politicians into managing wildlife, including Las Vegas area legislators who never encounter bears in their large city.”
A portion of this article was originally published by the US Sportsmen’s Alliance. The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible.
Information about this bill also came from an article published by the Las Vegas Review Journal at: http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/nevada-bill-ban-dogs-bear-hunting-draws-opposition
