Commercial Collection of Reptiles For Review and Possible Commission Action September 2017 Reptile Species Richness

53* native species of reptile in NV

50% (26*) are “Species of Conservation Priority” Species Richness REPTILE BIOLOGY

 Ectotherm – behaviorally regulate temps (seasons matter)  Low reproductive rates (top 3 ≤1 clutch/year*)  Low recruitment (e.g., long-nosed leopard lizard – 13%*)  Low dispersal rates (slow to recolonize*)  Niche specialists (e.g., horned lizards – 88% diet ants*)  Habitat specific (patchy distribution, not ubiquitous; (e.g., chuckwalla – rocky outcropping [Mojave] *)  Low densities (e.g., long-nosed leopard lizard - 1 – 2/acre*)  Relatively long lived (e.g., horned lizard - 7-8 y*)  Common species aren’t commonly collected (e.g., side-blotched < 2%; whiptails < 1% from collection data)

*peer reviewed/scientific literature available upon request Commercial Collection

Hotspots for Collecting  Chuckwalla: 15,945 (92 in 1 day)

 Desert horned lizard: 105,093 (>600

in 1 day)

 Great Basin collared lizard: 96,665

 Long-nosed leopard lizard: 60,410

 Western fence lizard: 40,594

Commonly Collected Species (1986-2016) HOW MUCH OF THE STATE IS COLLECTED IMPACTS OF COMMERCIAL COLLECTION

 Data analyses is showing declining populations in the most commercially collected species.  The source of data for these analyses are the collector’s data Collected ‐ 15,945 92 in 1day Herbivore/Saxicolous (rock dwellers)s Annual recruitment <20% 15y Life Span 8.2y Generation 2‐3y Maturity

+5

‐9 Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) (Berry 1974) Collected ‐ 105,093 600+ in 1day Ant Specialist* Recruitment <25% 8y Life Span 4y Generation 2y Maturity

+5

‐7 Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) Collected ‐ 105,093 600+ in 1day Ant Specialist* Delayed Reproduction 8y Life Span 4y Generation 2y MaturityFor Time Based Analysis (Time = “Effort”) Top 8 NV Reptiles (5 SOCP) Average +5 and ‐8 severity greater (‐) +5

‐7 Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) Amargosa Valley Ivanpah‐Pahrump Valleys

Days Days

Reptiles/Day Reptiles/Day 18 to 4 (78%)

35 to 9 y = ‐0.87x + 1761 y= ‐ 0.47x+ 941 p = 0.01* (74%) p = 0.04*

Total Take Total Take Amargosa Valley

Days

Reptiles/Day

35 to 9 y = ‐0.87x + 1761 p = 0.01* (74%)

Total Take

Increasing footprint INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS (AREA CORRECTED)

“Demonstrates declines in each of the top 8 species collected over more than a 10 year period”

Nussear 2017 COLLECTOR DATA (EFFORT = REPTILES/DAY)

Provided T.L. Bentz CC CAB 9/19/2017 COLLECTOR DATA (EFFORT = REPTILES/DAY)

200 180 160 140 Scale 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 COLLECTOR DATA (RESCALED)

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 y = -0.8173x + 63.822; p = 0.09 10 0 COLLECTOR DATA (RESCALED)

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 y = -0.8173x + 63.822; p = 0.09 10 0 200

150

100

50

y = -0.8173x + 63.822; p = 0.09 0 COLLECTOR DATA (DATA COMPARED)

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 y = -0.8173x + 63.822; p = 0.09 10 0 90 80 70 17 years decrease in “ROI” 60 50 (reptiles/day) by 22-31% 40 30 20 Reduction of 2,223 to 3,285 y = -1.2076x + 65.658; p = 0.02* 10 reptiles or… 14 to 20 per day 0 EVIDENCE FOR DECLINES USING EFFORT (TIME & AREA)

“Demonstrates declines in each of the top 8 species collected over more than a 10 year period”

90 80 70 60 50 40 Reduction of 2,223 to 3,285 30 20 reptiles or… 14 to 20 per day y = -1.2076x + 65.658; p = 0.02* 10 0 North American Model • Wildlife is public trust resource • The “Roosevelt Doctrine” calls for science‐based policies that ensure the sustainability and wise use of wildlife resources. DATA NEEDS FOR REPTILES

In absence of commercial data, how will the Department manage reptiles?

 Wildlife Diversity Reptile Program

 Volunteers and Citizen Scientists

 Peer-reviewed Literature

 Collaboration among agencies, researchers, and surrounding states HOBBY COLLECTION

 Commission Regulation 17-02 provides season and limits for noncommercial hobby collecting of reptiles  This regulation is among the most restrictive in the west . 2 to 5 animals allowed each per year for native species  Many hobbyists are NDOW volunteers  Hobby collection allows access to the resource by the young residents of NV Pitfall Traps - Additive Mortality

700+ Exist in SoNV

long lasting affects after trap removal SURROUNDING STATES

1. UT – commercial collections have never been allowed 2. AZ – commercial collections have never been allowed 3. ID – restricted collections in the late 90s and only allows one collector to collect one species on private property 4. OR – commercial collection prohibited 5. CA – prohibits all commercial collection since 1979 . Limited in 1975 . Completely prohibited by 1979 because limits did not work

Two Exceptions in the West:  NM – Limits (2009) of 50 to 5 per season per collector 60% of herp species  TX – Limits to private land and only 33% of species are allowed Surrounding States

Commercial Collection Regulation

Greatest Mod-High Moderate Low

(Stebbins 2003, Nanjappa & Conrad 2011) Surrounding States

NM annual limit ‐ 20 PERTINENT LEGAL AUTHORITIES

 NRS 503.380 . The Department may permit the commercial taking of unprotected wildlife in any manner approved by the Commission . The Commission may fix a price to be paid for wildlife so taken . Wildlife taken under this authorization may be sold

 NAC 503.095 . The Department will issue a permit authorizing a natural person to collect unprotected wildlife for commercial purposes… if, after an investigation is conducted, it is proved to the Department that the collecting will not be detrimental to the wildlife . Such a permit may be cancelled by the Department for a violation of its conditions or if operation of the permit is found to be detrimental to wildlife POSSIBLE ACTIONS FOR COMMISSION CONSIDERATION A Possible Commission General Regulation (CGR) to Prohibit Commercial Collection of Reptiles, temporarily or permanently A Possible Commission Regulation (CR) to Limit Commercial Collection of Reptiles POSSIBLE ACTIONS FOR COMMISSION CONSIDERATION

A Possible Commission General Regulation (CGR) to Prohibit Commercial Collection of Reptiles either temporarily or permanently

. Provides strongest conservation of native reptiles . Allows the most recovery potential for declining populations. . Cost-effective . Enforceable . Consistent with neighboring states, all of whom allow no commercial collection of reptiles. . Could be temporary (no NAC change) or permanent (NAC changes) POSSIBLE ACTIONS FOR COMMISSION CONSIDERATION

A Possible Commission Regulation (CR) to Limit Commercial Collection of Reptiles . Limits based on season, method, area, species, as well as daily limits and annual quotas . Provides less opportunity for native species to recover from population declines, but can reduce pressure from commercial collection. . Enforcement may be difficult . Staff resources to support the program would be supported by license fees and tag sales. POSSIBLE ACTIONS FOR COMMISSION CONSIDERATION

A Possible Commission Regulation (CR) to Limit Commercial Collection of Reptiles . Seasons . No collection during breeding season (April 1 – July 31). . Methods . Collection must be by hand, noose, snake hook, tong, or net. . Continue to prohibit collecting by pitfall traps or by using methods (crowbars, explosives, etc.) that destroy habitat. . Species restrictions . Close commercial collection for NDOW “Species of Conservation Priority.” – Species currently in decline . Includes desert iguana, western chuckwalla, long-nosed leopard lizard, Great Basin collared lizard, and desert horned lizard. POSSIBLE ACTIONS FOR COMMISSION CONSIDERATION

Closure Areas

Recommend closing Game Management Areas 04, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, and 29.

• Allows population recovery in areas heavily collected • Provides further protection in areas with known pitfall traps POSSIBLE ACTIONS FOR COMMISSION CONSIDERATION

ANNUAL LIMITS Lizards Eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) 50 Great Basin skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus) 30 Daily Limits and Annual Quotas Great Basin whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris) 50 Northern sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) 50 Ornate tree lizard (Urosaurus ornatus) 50 Western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) 50 Yellow-backed spiny lizard (Sceloporus uniformis) 30 Zebra-tailed lizard (Callisaurus draconoides) 30 Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana) 50 Snakes California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae [getula]) 10 Desert nightsnake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea) 10 Glossy snake (Arizona elegans) 10 Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer) 10 Long-nosed snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei) 10 Mojave patch-nosed snake (Salvadora hexalepis) 10 Red racer (Coluber flagellum) 10 Striped whipsnake (Coluber taeniatus) 10 Terrestrial gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans) 10 Western black-headed snake (Tantilla planiceps) 10 Western groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata) 10 Western yellow-bellied racer (Coluber constrictor) 10 Venomous Snakes Western lyre snake (Trimorphodon biscutatus) 5 Great Basin rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus) 5 Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) 5 Panamint rattlesnake (Crotalus stephensi) 5 Speckled rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii) 5 Daily Limit: Non-Indigenous Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) unlimited Spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) unlimited Not to exceed 30 per day Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) unlimited Bow-footed gecko (Cyrtopodion scabrum) unlimited HOW DID WE DEVELOP LIMITS?

 Based on sustainability for the resource  Reviewed NM and TX regulations – the only other western states to allow some sort of commercial collection  Removed Species of Conservation Priority  Estimated Average Catch/Day (N = 83 collectors past 15yrs)  Took Average Catch/Year  Increased bag limits for some species that are not in decline - increase an average of 1.6 times current collection  32 reptile species can be collected (29 natives [limits] & 3 non-natives + bullfrog [unlimited]) DAILY LIMITS

120

100

80

60

Daily Take 40

20

0 Ave Collector Collector X Collector-Proposal NDOW DAILY LIMITS

120

100

80 +1.8x

60 +2.7x

Daily Take 40 -0.17x

20

0 Ave Collector Collector X Collector-Proposal NDOW ANNUAL LIMITS

6000

5000

4000

3000

Annual Take 2000

1000

0 Ave Collector Collector X Collector-Proposal NDOW ANNUAL LIMITS

6000

5000 ~no change 4000

3000 +3.2x

Annual Take 2000 -0.39x 1000

0 Ave Collector Collector X Collector-Proposal NDOW LAW ENFORCEMENT QUESTIONS