NAC502.373. Black bears: Tags; fees; miscellaneous requirements; unlawful acts; open season.

     1. Unless his or her privilege is limited or revoked pursuant to law, any resident or nonresident of this State is eligible to apply for a black bear tag to hunt black bear. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a person is eligible to apply for a black bear tag in any year. A person who obtains a black bear tag or a replacement black bear tag and who is successful in harvesting a black bear is not eligible to apply for another black bear tag during the next 5 years.

     2. The fee for:

     (a) A resident black bear tag is $100.

     (b) A nonresident black bear tag is $300.

     3. A person who harvests a black bear shall:

     (a) Within 24 hours after harvesting the black bear, call the Department to report the harvest; and

     (b) Within 72 hours after harvesting the black bear, personally present the skull and hide to a representative of the Department for inspection.

     4. If a person accidentally traps or kills a black bear, the person shall:

     (a) Within 48 hours after trapping or killing the black bear, report the trapping or killing to a representative of the Department; and

     (b) Dispose of the remains of the black bear in accordance with the instructions of the representative of the Department.

     5. It is unlawful for any person to:

     (a) Kill a female black bear that is accompanied by a black bear cub; or

     (b) Kill or possess a black bear cub.

Ê As used in this subsection, “black bear cub” means any black bear which is less than 1 year of age or less than 50 pounds.

     6. The Commission will annually specify the number of black bears and female black bears it determines to be appropriate for harvesting in a management unit or group of management units. The open season for black bears in each such management unit or group of management units will end on:

     (a) The last day of the season as determined by the Commission; or

     (b) The day on which the Department determines that the number of black bears or female black bears harvested in that management unit or group of management units is equal to or greater than the number specified by the Commission pursuant to this subsection,

Ê whichever occurs earlier.

     7. The Department shall maintain and annually publish a toll-free telephone number for ascertaining whether the open season for black bears has been closed pursuant to subsection 6. To implement the closure of the open season for black bears, the Department shall:

     (a) Notify the Commission of the closure;

     (b) Provide notice of the closure to the general public through the news media; and

     (c) Mail notice of the closure to all persons who hold black bear tags.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Wildlife Comm’rs by R002-11, eff. 10-26-2011)