Description: Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are established under the authority of NRS 501.105 and 501.181 that authorizes the Nevada Department of Wildlife to acquire lands, water rights, easements, and other property necessary for the preservation, protection, management, and restoration of wildlife and its habitat. The vast majority of existing WMA property was acquired for the primary purpose of protecting wetlands habitat critical to the survival of a variety of game, non-game, and sensitive fish and wildlife species throughout Nevada. WMA priority management goals are also driven by the funding source used to acquire the property. WMAs purchased with Wildlife Restoration funds are developed, maintained, and managed primarily for wetland values with the overall goal of no net loss of wetland habitat and the enhancement of wetland quality and quantity. These WMAs are also managed for waterfowl activities, including the use of these areas as public shooting grounds. WMAs purchased with Sport Fish Restoration funds are developed, maintained, and managed primarily for fisheries related values.Management of WMAs also includes development for the maximum recreational or other public use whenever and wherever feasible, but with the limits posed by the above reference priorities, within habitat capabilities, and as may be limited by budget constraints or regulations applicable to lands purchased using Federal Aid. Hunters and anglers benefit fish and wildlife by funding most of the WMA programs in the State of Nevada. Therefore, the hunting and fishing public shall continue to have priority standing in establishing the direction for future management and use of all the WMA system properties, when such lands were purchased with consumptive user derived funds. The WMA system will also be made available for educational, scientific, aesthetic and other nonconsumptive uses, whenever these activities can be accommodated without interfering with the primary purposes for which the areas were established, and without decreasing the opportunity or experience for consumptive users.
Copyright Text: Nevada Department of Wildlife, Nevada Division of State Lands