The Arizona Game & Fish Commission unanimously rejected two petitions presented by the Center for Biological Diversity at its April 11th meeting. One of them sought to ban dogs as a lawful method for taking bears, lions, rabbits, tree squirrels, predators and furbearers while the other sought to end a pursuit-only season for bears, lions and raccoons.
Prior to the hearing, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation presented the commission with a petition in opposition signed by 159 RMEF members.
RMEF then gave one of 51 testimonies against the petitions, as opposed to nine in favor.
“For the thousands of RMEF members…in the state. We do support the use of dogs and hunting. Using the science, like so many people have said today, is the most important thing and we really appreciate what you are doing,” John Tuter, RMEF volunteer and southwest regional volunteer chair, told the commission during his testimony. “I would also like to follow up on what one of the gentlemen said about the youth that have been here today speaking on this issue. Kudos to the parents for bringing them because that’s the true meaning of ‘pass it on.’ Thank you very much.”
Before the public testimony and final vote took place, Arizona Game & Fish Department staffers presented four conclusions to commission members in response to the petitioners:
- Arizona mountain lions and black bears are abundant and responsibly managed.
- Allegations that hunting with dogs disrupts ecosystem balance, represents a public safety hazard, represents a risk to nontarget and protected wildlife, and violates Arizona’s laws and regulations are not supported by information in the petitions or any known scientific literature.
- Decisionmakers base their decisions on objective peer-reviewed science and reliable sources of consistently gathered information. Many of the sources used in the petitions do not satisfy the scientific standard rightly expected of management agencies entrusted with the conservation of these native species.
- Across North America, agencies responsible for the conservation and management of native mammals, including large carnivores, use hunting as an effective, science-based tool to manage species populations, specific human-wildlife conflicts and for reasons of human safety and impact to other native wildlife species.
After making two motions, the five-member commission voted 5-0 to deny each petition.
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)