State considers ban on predator-killing contests
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is considering adopting a rule that would prohibit predator hunting contests in the state.
The rule would prohibit “using any lethal method of take during a hunting contest for predatory and fur-bearing animals,” according to a commission statement released on Thursday.
The department said its goal is to “address social concerns associated with hunting contests that award prizes to those who kill the largest number or variety of predatory or fur-bearing animals.”
Late last year, a hunting group named Call-in the Country drew ire from some communities when it hosted its annual Santa Slay Coyote Tournament in Yavapai County in December.
The 2018 tournament rewarded the team that killed the most coyotes. In previous years the contest also included foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, and badgers.
In November, the Dewey-Humboldt Town Council passed a resolution condemning competitive predator hunts in Dewey-Humboldt and Yavapai County.
Other areas that have condemned wildlife-killing contests include Tucson; Coconino County; Pinal County; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Vermont banned coyote-killing contests specifically in 2018, while predator-killing contests have been banned in California since 2014.
Most national forest areas allow hunting without a permit, Arizona Game and Fish spokesman Bill Andres told The Republic last year.
He said coyote hunting is legal in Arizona year-round with no bag limit.
The commission approved a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in a public meeting on March 15 that will be published in the Arizona Administrative Register on Friday. Then, a 30-day comment period will begin in order for the public to provide feedback on the proposal.
“To the extent, these contests reflect on the overall hunting community, public outrage with these events has the potential to threaten hunting as a legitimate wildlife management function,” the agency says, in a notice of the proposed rule change. “Regulated hunting fundamentally supports wildlife conservation efforts in North America. The loss of hunting would equate to a measurable loss in conservation efforts, and would represent a failure of the Commission in its duty to preserve wildlife for the beneficial use of present and future generations.”
All public comments received from April 12 to May 12 will become part of the official record, and will be evaluated before a Notice of Final Rulemaking is taken to the commission for consideration, the department said.
If approved, the final rule would be reviewed by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council.
The rule would not apply to lawful, regulated hunting of predatory animals, which is managed by the department, officials said.
Members of the public who wish to submit comments on the proposed rule can send their feedback via e-mail at ru lemaking@azgfd.gov. They can also mail their comments to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Rules Section at 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix AZ 85086.