Mountain lion and bobcat hunting in Arizona

[viper]

Just saw this today,
Arizona hunters may no longer be able to take mountain lions or bobcats, as SB 1182, a bill drafted by Arizona State Sen. Steve Farley (D-Tucson), seeks to end the hunting of the big cats. Backed by a fine of no less than $8,000, and potentially much more, the bill, if passed, would make mountain lions and bobcats a “protected” species.

Dan Reid, Arizona state lobbyist for the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) points out, “the state’s Fish and Game Department, which closely monitors animal populations including mountain lions and other felid, has not requested the change for felid to become a protected class.” In other words, there is no evidence supporting the idea that the animals’ populations are in trouble.

Reid also emphasized the importance of hunting in wildlife management, saying, “The NRA opposes the radical changes to mountain lion hunting contained in SB 1182. Removing mountain lions from the category of Big Game and Game Mammals and placing them in a protected class is ill advised when there is a sustainable population that can be controlled through hunting.”

 

[Foxpro.223]

I looked up the status of the bill and it looks like it may have been DOA after the 2nd reading 1/25/17 but I am not 100% sure. I'd still call and find out what the status is.

AZ General Assembly SB1182 Status


So apparently he decided not to run this bill "in it's current form" that is. I still wouldn't trust him. He thinks we're in a democracy. LOL

 

[hm1996]

Sounds like Mr. Farley felt the heat and saw the light.......hopefully.

Regards,
hm

 

[azmastablasta]

F&G has been complaining for a number of years that the population of mountain sheep is struggling because of lion depredation. Seems the new crop seldom survive due to lions, particularly around Kingman. They will do their best to put you close to your quarry on maps. But I guess this douchebag hates sheep.

 

[Foxpro.223]

Judging by farley's response, there was a lot of backlash and pressure was put on him. He dropped that one like a hot potato.

 

[Fursniper]

SB1182 was associated with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which is an extremist anti hunting organization. The local anti hunting group in Tucson, Friends of Wild Animals, may have hooked up with HSUS to push their agenda. Here is some background info on how this bill came about. Hopefully, SB1182 is totally dead.

https://www.nrahlf.org/articles/2017/1/27/arizona-bill-to-ban-cougar-and-bobcat-hunting/

 

[Fursniper]

An anti hunting group formed in Tucson (Friends of Wild Animals) when the AGFD began a bighorn sheep re-introduction project in the Catalina Mountains. It was necessary to kill lions to jump start the bighorn population incidental to transplanting bighorns. The highest density of lions in the state was found in the Catalina Mountains. This anti hunting group was opposed to re-establishing the bighorns into their historic range. They only wanted lions to occupy the Catalina Mountains. This was same group that protested the Predator Master Convention when it was held in Tucson.

Bighorn sheep have now been successfully re-established in the Catalina Mountains after a 3 year long transplant project. Here is the success story of the bighorn sheep/lion killing project.

http://tucson.com/news/opinion/column/gu...d436829045.html

 

[Carcass Collectors]

Let’s not give one positive “good” for this response. The wording in his response is stated like he has just begun. Nothing in these types of political environments (State & Federal) makes it through the first time.

Cause for major concern comes from the following wording:
“…ending cruel and unfair practices like hounding…”

California took this route a few years ago, so it’s definitely doable.

Guess the lawmakers don't understand how lions hunt. So much for turnabout is fair play.

“I met with Game and Fish this morning along with a couple of wildlife biologists…and it was an interesting meeting”

This gives me more concern than the previous quote pointed out above. With what division in the Game and Fish? Also, please share the names and résumés of those wildlife biologists. I’d like to see what type of efforts and what they support in terms of hunting and fishing rights and restoring those rights. Or, and this is my biggest fear, what they don’t support (emotional versus factual).

Lastly, and this might sound ridiculous to most, but when fighting for our rights (in this case hunting) please make sure everything is correct. I learned about this from the NRA and it was stated that the, “the state’s fish and game department”. It is the, “Arizona Department of Game and Fish”. I know that’s anal but when it comes to issues like these, credibility is won and lost in the finest details.

 

[Tbone-AZ]

I hate that all these loosers from California have messed up their state, and are now coming here in waves.

I wish they would put up signs. "If you are here for opportunities that didn't exist in your previous state, don't vote the same way you did there and expect this state to stay the place you came to for opportunities"
Think before you vote.

 

[Tbone-AZ]

Originally Posted By: Carcass CollectorsLet’s not give one positive “good” for this response. The wording in his response is stated like he has just begun. Nothing in these types of political environments (State & Federal) makes it through the first time.

Cause for major concern comes from the following wording:
“…ending cruel and unfair practices like hounding…”

California took this route a few years ago, so its definitely doable.

Guess the lawmakers don't understand how lions hunt. So much for turnabout is fair play.

“I met with Game and Fish this morning along with a couple of wildlife biologists…and it was an interesting meeting”

This gives me more concern than the previous quote pointed out above. With what division in the Game and Fish? Also, please share the names and résumés of those wildlife biologists. I’d like to see what type of efforts and what they support in terms of hunting and fishing rights and restoring those rights. Or, and this is my biggest fear, what they don’t support (emotional versus factual).

Lastly, and this might sound ridiculous to most, but when fighting for our rights (in this case hunting) please make sure everything is correct. I learned about this from the NRA and it was stated that the, “the state’s fish and game department”. It is the, “Arizona Department of Game and Fish”. I know that’s anal but when it comes to issues like these, credibility is won and lost in the finest details.


Great points..

I would also like to see the AZGF hold these meetings as public and allow others to show up and be present to prevent even the idea of favoritism with any group on either side. AZGF is public, and all meeting to discuss policy should also be the same. We the state residence should know who is involved and part of any movements.