Nevada cutting nuisance wildlife response calls

RENO (AP) - Unless the bear is in the pantry, Nevada game wardens aren't coming.

Nevada Department of Wildlife spokesman Chris Healy tells the Reno Gazette-Journal for a Wednesday report that unless public safety is at risk, the state can't afford to send wardens to calls about nuisance bears, coyotes, raccoons or other wildlife in residential areas.

People will instead be referred to a website and given information about how to avoid danger.

Healy says NDOW gave up plans to ask the cash-strapped state Legislature for up to $1 million this year to respond to rising numbers of conflicts between people and wildlife.

He says department funding has been cut from about $1.7 million in 2006 to $720,000 this year.

The department is preparing to make do next year with less than $500,000.