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Elko advisory board backs petition for nonresident hound permits to ease conflicts
Summary
The Elko County Advisory Board voted to support a petition asking the Nevada Department of Wildlife to pursue a statewide nonresident hound permit program, after presentations from houndsmen and public commenters describing conflicts between resident and nonresident houndsmen.
The Elko County Advisory Board voted to support a petition asking the Nevada Department of Wildlife to pursue a nonresident hound-permit program aimed at limiting conflicts between resident and nonresident houndsmen.
The petition presented to the board would establish a limited nonresident hound permit system with three regions and roughly 40 nonresident hound permits statewide, and would place resident hound permits on an over‑the‑counter basis. Clay Dwyer, speaking for the petition, said the program was “to where it's a 40 permit system” and would “redistribute the non resident hound hunting pressure.”
Supporters told the advisory board the measure responds to increased nonresident houndsmen and field conflicts. David Gowen described two recent incidents where he said nonresidents arrived and “dragged my tom off” after his dogs treed a lion. He emphasized enforcement challenges in remote areas, saying “I was talking to a friend today ... in my entire hound hunting career, I've only ever seen a law enforcement person ... twice.”
Provisions Dwyer outlined include: - A 40‑permit nonresident hound allocation statewide, divided into three regions; permits issued by draw. - Resident hound permits sold over the counter (petition suggested $30 but left fee-setting to the department). - Licensed guides would not require an individual nonresident hound permit for clients; guiding under a master guide license would be handled separately. - A suggested nonresident permit fee of $500 in the petition to generate funds for predator management or lion study; Idaho and Montana were cited as examples of other states’ systems.
Department staff noted the petition would produce data: a permit program would let the department track how many nonresident houndsmen come into Nevada and whether they were guided or non‑guided. Board discussion cited enforcement limits in remote border areas and expressed concern about the growing pressure from out‑of‑state hunters.
After public comment and discussion the board voted to support the petition. The chair announced the motion carried following a voice vote.
The board’s support is a recommendation to the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the full Commission; it does not itself create a permit system. The department or Commission would need to develop regulatory language or seek statutory change if broader changes to guiding regulation were required.
