Nevada county commissioner and outfitter charged in unlawful bear hunt

Anyone who can attend the trial in Reno Tues Aug 20 a 3:00 pm, please do.

RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — The Nevada Department of Wildlife charged two men for killing a bear in Washoe County outside the designated area.

Joe Crim, 58, and 54-year-old Michael Stremler are charged with a felony count of killing a big game animal. Stremler also faces an additional count of unlawful wildlife act.

Court paperwork says the two hunted a black bear November 10, 2023 near Ophir Creek above Bowers Mansion in Washoe Valley. NDOW said it was eight-years-old and a very large bear, estimated to be 575 pounds.

The men were arrested July 12 and posted a $3,000 bail.

Crim is a current Pershing County commissioner and on the NDOW’s Pershing County Advisory for Wildlife Management. On the phone, he told News 4-Fox 11 that he didn’t want to comment on an ongoing case, but that he thought they were in a tagged area.

Stremler owns Secret Pass Outfitters which has a listed address in Fallon. NDOW added Secret Pass Outfitters did not have an active hunting guide license. He did not return a call for comment on this story.

Both men are due in court on August 20.