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Commission votes to oppose automatic range‑finding scopes after technical ethics debate
Summary
The commission voted to oppose a proposed regulation addressing automatic range‑finding scopes (Regulation 5.17) after commissioners and participants debated whether such technology reduces wounding or whether the commission should regulate ethical considerations.
The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners voted to oppose Commission General Regulation 5.17, which addresses automatic range‑finding scopes and technology that could automatically present holdover points in a scope.
Discussion ranged from technical descriptions of commercially available systems to ethical considerations. One participant described some models that project a holdover dot based on loaded ballistic data and argued this could reduce wounding: “I would almost argue that it's more ethical to have an exact holdover point,” the participant said, noting that precise holdover may reduce the chance of injuring an animal.
Other commissioners cautioned against the commission weighing ethics subjectively. A commissioner said the commission should “stay out of some of its ethics because what's ethical to you may not be to me,” arguing that equipment choices are not easily regulated on an ethical standard.
After discussion a motion to oppose Regulation 5.17 was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. The commission did not adopt language regulating scopes; instead it recorded opposition to the regulation as presented.
The action directs staff to reflect that the commission opposed the regulation in public comments and any formal submissions recorded in the rulemaking record.
