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Elko County advisory board backs state petitions, translocation and regulation updates
Summary
The Elko County Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife voted to support a petition to clarify disability archery permits, backed increased demerit points tied to trail cameras/thermal imaging, approved support for a pronghorn translocation to the Colville Confederated Tribes, and endorsed the FY26–27 big‑game release plan. Several fisheries and bonus‑point clarifications were also supported.
The Elko County Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife met Oct. 1 and voted to support a series of Nevada Department of Wildlife state agenda items, including changes to disability archery permits, demerit point increases for certain electronic surveillance devices, a request to translocate pronghorn to the Colville Confederated Tribes, and the department’s fiscal‑year 2026–27 big‑game release plan.
Chair Jim Cooney opened the meeting and the board first approved the meeting agenda by voice vote after Justin French moved to approve and Joel McConnell seconded. On state rules and petitions, staff presented a petition from Gregory and Kimberly Dicker and James and Tracy Pinter seeking rulemaking to clarify disability archery permits under NAC 503. Scott Roberts summarized the current language and the petition’s intent: "This is the same basic thing… they’re petitioning the commission to just go into the rule making to clean that up." Justin French moved that the CAB support changes that create a one‑year temporary disability permit and a permanent permit that does not expire; Michael Moray seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.
On enforcement and demerit points, the board discussed proposed demerit increases tied to trail cameras and thermal‑imaging device possession while hunting big game. Jason Jackson told the board the commission had not proposed a total ban but that current language would make possession of thermal imaging while hunting big game subject to demerits and that proposed demerits would increase from nine to 12 for the offense. The CAB moved to support the change in demerits and the motion carried.
The board voted to support a department request to translocate up to 100 pronghorn to the Colville Confederated Tribes. Scott Roberts laid out candidate donor unit groups (units in the 61–73, 67–68 and 141–145 ranges) and said capture timing and exact donor sites would depend on conditions. Joel McConnell moved to support state agenda item 19; Justin French seconded, and the motion passed.
On the broader release plan, staff described proposed releases of 20–25 desert bighorn sheep and two pronghorn releases of 50–75 animals each into specified units for FY26–27. Justin French moved that the CAB support state agenda item 20 (the FY26–27 big‑game release plan); the motion was seconded and approved.
The CAB also supported several fisheries and regulatory clarifications: motor restrictions and pike control measures (item 22A) including Battle Born Pond restrictions, a clarification allowing commercially prepared/preserved unprotected fish species to be used as bait in Eastern Region waters (item 24A), and a clarification to permanently adopt temporary language simplifying junior bonus points (item 23B).
Each motion was recorded on the public agenda and carried by voice vote. No formal opposition or roll‑call tallies beyond the Chair’s confirming votes were recorded on the transcript. The board indicated several items will be further considered at upcoming commission workshops and TAC committee meetings if additional rule language or evidentiary materials are needed.
The next CAB meeting was scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3; the commission’s next meeting is planned for November 2025 in Reno.
