Drones, electronic guns on wildlife board agenda
The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners on Friday will take public comment on two controversial topics for hunters: drones and electronic guns.
Under Nevada law, it is illegal to use drones to scout big game.
A proposal to clarify that ban and another to ban electronic guns, among other issues, will be the focus of the Las Vegas meeting in the Clark County Government Center.
Lawmakers across the country have been caught off guard by emerging technologies and have sometimes failed to write legislation quickly enough to regulate them.
Critics of the electronic guns, which allow a novice to hit difficult targets with automatic firing, say it takes away from the skill-based sport.
At the heart of both proposals is a desire to preserve the “fair chase” ethic and give animals a chance.
Big game hunting in the Silver State includes deer, elk, bighorn sheep and black bears.
As of yet, the Nevada Department of Wildlife has heard only anecdotal reports of drones and electronic rifles being used in Nevada, but Chief Game Warden Tyler Turnipseed said they are trying to stay ahead of the technology.
Other states that ban drone scouting include: Alaska, Montana, Colorado, and Michigan.
Contact Alexander S. Corey at acorey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0270. Find him on Twitter: @acoreynews