Local board approves regulation updating elk objectives and fisheries rules

The Churchill County Game Board on Oct. 29 approved Commission General Regulation 5‑28, adopting Addendum No. 2 to the elk species management plan and approving several related fisheries rule changes.

Unidentified Speaker 3 moved to adopt the addendum and regulation; Unidentified Speaker 4 seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. The changes give the commission authority to adjust population objectives and quotas more responsively, including through a standing committee that could recommend annual quota adjustments.

Unidentified Speaker 4 described fisheries revisions that accompany the addendum, noting a new mandatory kill requirement for northern pike caught in certain waters and revised bait restrictions. "I think that's a good regulation to require immediate killing of the Northern Pike if you happen to catch one," Unidentified Speaker 4 said, framing the change as an effort to discourage relocation of pike into waters such as Cummins Lake. The board also discussed allowing larger ice‑hole sizes for spear‑bowfishing at Cummins Lake and updating scientific names in species classifications.

The discussion emphasized balancing modernized management with the risk that populations could decline; speakers said the regulation provides flexibility to respond to expanding or changing herds when habitat supports growth. After brief discussion and no recorded roll‑call, the board approved the regulation by voice vote.

Next steps: the regulation will appear on the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners' agenda and be implemented according to the commission's procedural timeline.