By Dana Gentry
Pershing County Commissioner Joe Crim and his hunting guide face one felony charge each in Washoe County for illegally killing a bear during last year’s season.
A criminal complaint filed against Crim and Michael Stremler, owner of Secret Pass Outfitters, alleges the two killed a bear in the area above Bowers Mansion in Washoe Valley, which is closed to the hunt.
“There’s a reason that area is closed to hunting,” says Kathryn Bricker of No Bear Hunt Nevada, noting humans are routinely present in the area. “Chasing down a bear with dogs in that area could have injured hikers and others.”
Crim also serves as chairman of the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s Pershing County Advisory Board.
The incident took place on Nov. 10, 2023. A standard report filed by hunters with NDOW reveals a hunter slaughtered an eight year-old male bear weighing 575 pounds on Nov. 10 near Ophir Creek.
The report indicates the hunter had a guide. However, an NDOW document indicates Stremler had no license as a guide. He currently does not have an active license, according to NDOW spokeswoman Ashley Zeme.
The defendants did not respond to requests for comment. The illegal killing of a big game animal is a Category E felony, the least serious felony in Nevada, which carries a sentence of up to four years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. Offenders are generally placed on probation.
Bricker says tag holders and their guides are required to know the rules of the hunt. She says guides using GPS-collared dogs use topographic maps and are aware of their location.
“We’ll demonstrate what happened and we’re confident it will show that the state does not have a case,” said attorney Brad Johnston, who is representing Stremler.
The criminal complaint alleges Crim and Stremler, “acting alone or in concert,” knowingly killed the bear outside the permitted hunting zone, and are criminally liable for directly committing the act or by conspiring.
Crim and Stremler were arrested on July 13, the day a Washoe County judge found probable cause of a crime, according to court records. The arrests were the result of an NDOW investigation, according to Zeme.
“Last year between guided hunts and friend hunts we were able to be apart (sic) of harvesting 12 NV black bears. That’s the most that’s ever been taken by any outfitters in NV in one season,” Secret Pass Outfitters’ co-owner Sarena Stremler posted on Facebook in May. “All 3 buckle winners for biggest bear were guided by Secret Pass Outfitters.”
Stremler also faces a misdemeanor count for pursuing a bear with dogs in a closed area, an unlawful wildlife act.
