Wildlife agency critic to sit on board

CARSON CITY -- A Nevada sheep rancher who once accused state wildlife biologists of "political assassination" for killing a bighorn sheep that mingled with his flock has been named to the Nevada Wildlife Commission.

Hank Vogler was quietly appointed to the nine member board in late July by Gov. Jim Gibbons.

The governor said Wednesday that as a rancher, Vogler "brings an expertise that is very important to the mix of wildlife and our agricultural industries in the state of Nevada."

Gibbons also reappointed Scott Raine of Eureka and named Hal Schrum of Southern Nevada, a newcomer, to the panel that sets policy for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The commission meets Friday and Saturday in Fallon.

In an article posted last year on Raine's website, Vogler criticized wildlife biologists for killing a bighorn sheep after biologists learned the ram frequently mixed with Vogler's domestic sheep.

He called it a "political assassination" and wrote, "How embarrassing to have a wild sheep mingle with domestic sheep and not die instantly as the pseudo-science seems to suggest."

Game biologists say domestic sheep can carry a parasite that can be lethal to wild sheep. To prevent disease outbreaks, wildlife agencies advocate keeping domestic and wild sheep apart, and killing wild sheep that mix with domestic flocks.