Download SB 364 and SB 365 Written Testimony Don Noorda

Dear Nevada State Senate Natural Resource Committee:
I am supplying written testimony against SB 364 and SB 365; if passed both bills will lead to the eventual
demise of Nevada’s wildlife population and Nevada’s ranching industry. I understand this is a bold
statement, but if you will listen to my reasoning with an open mind you will understand how I can make
such a statement.
If passed, SB 364 and 365 will end the successful predator management plan currently in place for the
state of Nevada. Anyone familiar with the food web and the science involved with wildlife sustainability
understands that if one tier goes unmanaged, the results on the underlying tiers are detrimental. In
studies conducted on mortality of mule deer fawns, it was concluded that no less than 90% of summer
mortality of fawns was by coyotes (Journal of Wildlife Management). It is true that coyotes have a
diverse diet of mice, rabbits, small game birds, snakes and other rodents, but with increased populations
of coyotes, all the lower tier populations will plummet- including the sensitive sage grouse species. In
the same study referenced earlier, is was also determined that the fawn mortality raised as the small
animal and rodent populations dwindled. Trapping is an effective and humane way to manage coyote
populations in remote Nevada rangelands; however a 24 hour check will cause trappers to target close
areas due to travel time. The result will be that some of our best remote habitats for deer, antelope,
chukar and sage grouse will have reduced predator control. Without trapping in these areas, the result
will be a spike in predator numbers and a plummet, first of small game species, followed by the steady
decrease of mule deer and antelope populations. With everyone’s eye on the sensitive sage grouse
species, every step should be taken to increase the management of predators, not severely restrict a
plan that has been successful for multiple decades.
The Nevada ranching industry has a lot to lose from the passage of SB 364 and 365 as well. The first
negative impact to the ranching industry would be the financial loss of calves to predators. According to
the United Department of Agriculture, 61.7 calves per 10,000 born were lost to predators on beef cattle
operations in 2010. Coyotes were the single largest predator cause of calf loss and they accounted for
over one-half (56.9 percent) of calf predator losses. In Nevada’s rural counties many ranchers calve in
remote rangelands that currently have coyotes managed with trapping. Outlawing trapping on public
lands or requiring a 24 hour visitation, will have a huge effect on these ranchers. Taking away that
management piece would allow coyotes the ability to build high population densities in these remote
areas, ultimately leading to increased calf loss. In today’s down cattle market, cattle ranchers have very
little profit margin to work with; losing additional offspring could be the difference in staying afloat.
There may be an even larger problem lurking for Nevada’s ranchers if these bill pass, however. One of
the most sensitive wildlife species in Nevada is the sage grouse. As the population of sage grouse
declined, many environmental groups called for the sage grouse to be classified as a threatened and
endangered species. While that has not happened yet, the possibility remains. In a 9 year study
partnered by NDOW it was determined that coyotes, bobcat, badger and weasel were responsible for
47% of all predation to sage grouse. Nesting habitat for sage grouse has dwindled with habitat loss and
if predator numbers go unmanaged, the outcome would be devastating to the sage grouse population.
With the current trapping regulations in place, trapping is an effective management tool currently used
to control predators. The chance of the sage grouse becoming a threatened species increases by
severely restricting the ability of Nevada’s trappers to manage predators. That could spell doom for
ranchers that use public lands for grazing in identified sage grouse nesting grounds, which is a large
portion of Nevada. Without public grazing, or with highly restricted use, many Nevada ranchers could
not remain in business because they do not have sufficient private land for grazing.
The Senate committee will hear testimony from people tugging at emotions and giving false accusations,
however it is essential to make decisions based on facts and scientific studies. The fact is, trapping is one
piece of an effective predator management tool currently used in Nevada; as a result we have some of
the greatest natural resources in the West. By outlawing trapping on public lands, or severely restricting
visitation regulations Nevada’s wildlife and economy will ultimately suffer. Please vote NO to SB 364 and
365.
Don Noorda
Wells, Nevada