No, bear wrestling is not illegal in Nevada. This notion stems from longstanding urban myths in “dumb laws” lists, wrongly attributing the ban to Nevada when it actually exists in states like Louisiana and Oklahoma to curb animal cruelty.​
Myth Origins
Circulating compilations falsely claim Nevada prohibits bear wrestling alongside other absurdities, but no Nevada Revised Statute (e.g., Title 50 Animals or NRS 574 Cruelty) targets it specifically. Real bear wrestling bans arose in the 1990s in southern states to stop exploitative matches, not Nevada’s lax exotic pet rules allowing private bear ownership without bans on private activities.​
Actual Nevada Animal Laws
Nevada outlaws animal fighting (§574.005) like dogfighting but permits exotic pets with minimal restrictions, lacking bear-specific wrestling prohibitions. Cruelty laws (§574.010) could apply if wrestling harms the bear, but private, non-commercial acts on your property remain unregulated absent public spectacle.​
Other “Weird” Claims
No credible Nevada codes ban common myth-listed activities like sidewalk lying (Reno has loitering rules, not that) or similar; verify via NRS.gov for zoning or local ordinances.
[1](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladviceofftopic/comments/u7q7v4/in_what_states_can_i_still_wrestle_a_bear/)
[2](https://www.runsensible.com/blog/weird-laws-in-the-us/)
[3](https://www.usawmembership.com/usa_wrestling_rule_book.pdf)
[4](https://www.sbnm.org/Portals/NMBAR/AboutUs/sections/AnimalLaw/WackyWildlife.pdf?ver=fKYeAnIIeeFGrOub_CJpRQ%3D%3D)
[5](https://forestgrove.pgusd.org/documents/Computer-Lab/Strange-State-Laws.pdf)
