The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is asking for the public’s help following the vandalism and destruction of a remote water-level monitor at a wildlife guzzler in Hunt Unit 181 in Mineral County on September 19.
The damaged unit was part of a statewide effort launched in 2025 to install remote water-level monitors on critical wildlife water sources, known as guzzlers. These manmade water developments help provide water for wildlife in Nevada’s driest areas.
Through a partnership with the Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn, the Wild Sheep Foundation, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited, and other sportsmen’s organizations, NDOW has deployed 89 monitors statewide. The devices allow staff to track water levels in real time, helping identify issues early and respond more efficiently while saving time and resources. Each monitoring unit costs approximately $3,000, with the equipment funded entirely through sportsmen’s dollars.
“It’s disappointing to see equipment that represents such an important investment in wildlife conservation vandalized and destroyed,” said Brad Bauman, NDOW Habitat Wildlife Staff Specialist. “We’re grateful to our conservation partners whose funding made this project possible, and we hope anyone with information about this incident will come forward.”
NDOW game wardens are asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity related to this incident or has information about the vandalism to come forward.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact NDOW’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 992-3030 or submit a report through the free NDOW Tip app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
