CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- A Nevada sheep rancher who once accused 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 appointed to the nine member board by Gov. Jim Gibbons.

Gibbons also reappointed Scott Raine of Eureka and named Hal Schrum of southern Nevada to the panel that sets policy for the state wildlife agency.

Vogler, in an online article last year, criticized wildlife biologists for killing a bighorn sheep he nicknamed "Chin Creek Chin," after biologists learned the ram frequently mixed with Vogler's domestic sheep.

Wildlife biologists say domestic sheep can transfer a bacteria to wild sheep that can cause pneumonia and decimate a herd.

Vogler dismisses that as a myth.

Copyright 2010 The AP.