The director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife resigned abruptly Wednesday at the request of Gov. Brian Sandoval, following months of pressure from representatives in rural Nevada over deer management and agency efforts to stave off federal protection for sage grouse.In an email letter to staff obtained by The Associated Press, Ken Mayer said the decision to take the agency in another direction is the governor's prerogative.His resignation is effective Feb. 12.“We all reach times in our careers where change is inevitable,” Mayer wrote. “That time came for me this week when Gov. Sandoval's office asked me to resign as …