Nevada

Wildlife mandate in statute:

“Wildlife in this State not domesticated and in its natural habitat is part of the natural resources belonging to the people of the State of Nevada. The preservation, protection, management and restoration of wildlife within the State contribute immeasurably to the aesthetic, recreational and economic aspects of these natural resources.”

The Commission:

• Name: Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners
• Regulatory or advisory: Regulatory
• Number of voting members: 9
• Term length: 3 years
• How selected: Appointed by Governor
• Senate confirmation required: No
• Selection criteria per statute: 

“A county advisory board to manage wildlife shall submit written nominations for appointments to the Commission upon the request of the Governor and may submit nominations at any other time. After consideration of the written nominations submitted by a county advisory board to manage wildlife and any additional candidates for appointment to the Commission, the Governor shall appoint to the Commission: (a) One member who is actively engaged in and possesses experience and expertise in advocating issues relating to conservation; (b) One member who is actively engaged in farming; (c) One member who is actively engaged in ranching; (d) One member who represents the interests of the general public; and (e) Five members who during at least 3 of the 4 years immediately preceding their appointment held a resident license to fish or hunt, or both, in Nevada…Not more than three members may be from the same county whose population is 700,000 or more, not more than two members may be from the same county whose population is 100,000 or more but less than 700,000, and not more than one member may be from the same county whose population is less than 100,000.”

• From the Commission’s website:

“The nine member, governor appointed Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners is responsible for establishing broad policy, setting annual and permanent regulations, reviewing budgets, and receiving input on wildlife and boating matters from entities such as the 17 County Advisory Boards to Manage Wildlife.”

County Advisory Boards:

• County commissioners appoint 3-7 members (depending on county population) to a wildlife advisory board in each county
• County advisory boards provide recommendations to the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners, including recommended candidates for appointment to the Commission.
• Members must be hunters, trappers, anglers or engaged in ranching or farming, except that…
• One seat is saved for a county resident to represent the general public.
• From statute:

“1. The board of county commissioners shall appoint qualified persons to the board who are residents of the county and are: (a) Hunters, trappers or anglers; or (b) Engaged in ranching or farming in the county.  2. In addition to the members appointed pursuant to subsection 1, the board of county commissioners shall appoint one qualified person to the board who represents the interests of the general public of the county. The person appointed pursuant to this subsection must be a resident of the county from which he or she is appointed.”

The Agency:

• Name: Nevada Department of Wildlife
• Type: Standalone agency
• Title of Agency Director: Director
• Selection process: Appointed by Governor
• Mission statement from agency website: 

“To protect, conserve, manage and restore wildlife and its habitat for the aesthetic, scientific, educational, recreational, and economic benefits to citizens of Nevada and the United States, and to promote the safety of persons using vessels on the waters of Nevada.”

Revenue for Nevada Department of Wildlife (2021-2023)

Other: Guide fees (0.1%), AIS (watercraft aquatic invasive species decal) (0.8%), Trout stamp (3.1%), Resource enhancement stamp (0.1%), Elk damage (0.1%), Predator fee (1.8%), Boating (1.5%), Operation game thief (0.1%), Applications (2.4%), Other (3.2%)

Source: Nevada Department of Wildlife FY22-23 Agency Presentation