A few answers to questions on hunting rules, regulations

The Arizona Game and Fish Department and Commission stays hard at work to see our wildlife populations benefit through proper and scientific management of the various species we enjoy in Arizona.

Following are some answers by AZGFD to inform those non-hunters and non-anglers who might be interested in why laws, rules and regulations governing hunting and angling were developed, how violations of wildlife laws are enforced, the tradition of outdoor ethics, and how the Arizona Game and Fish Commission system came into being and what role it plays today:

“Wildlife management and hunting policies have evolved over time, based largely on the “public trust doctrine,” which regards wildlife as held in the public trust and managed by scientifically-based regulations. During the last century, sportsmenconservationists demanded their government put in place agencies, institutions, laws and regulations to conserve wildlife on behalf of the citizens. As part of that demand, sportsmen/conservationists advocated ethics and self policing by any and all who partake of America’s wild bounty.

The laws, rules and regulations governing hunting form a framework for a system that is designed to provide surpluses of certain species of wildlife for hunting and fishing, revenue from which funds the conservation of all wildlife, including species that aren’t hunted. This system provides the agility for wildlife managers to respond to changes in the environment, demands of the public, fluctuating wildlife population levels, the effects of natural events (such as fire, flood, disease and drought), and other factors.

Laws, rules and regulations concerning hunting are complex and varied. There are state and federal laws encoded by state and federal legislation. In addition to laws, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission enacts rules and orders to implement those laws. The laws, rules and orders provide guidance to hunters about when, where, and how they can take wildlife, and how much of each species can be taken. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission issues 29 orders for different species. Each order is reviewed and potentially revised every year or two by the Commission, based on science-based recommendations from wildlife managers. These 29 orders create a complex, dynamic set of regulations for hunters to follow. But the system must be managed this way in order for managers to be agile enough to respond to the suite of factors affecting wildlife on an annual basis. It is the responsibility of the hunter to help make the regulations, understand and follow the regulations, as well as help enforce them.

Hunting activities are highly regulated, and the rules, dates, hunt structure, seasons, etc. are necessarily complex due to a variety of factors, including changing biological circumstances, habitat considerations, human factors, and others. Because of the constantly evolving state of laws, rules and regulations, many of which are shaped after consideration of public input, even the most well-informed and well-intentioned hunters may find it challenging to stay up to date. Despite the complexity of the regulations, sportsmen-conservationists do a stellar job of understanding and complying with regulations.

The spirit of ethics and selfpolicing among sportsmen is as true today as it was 100 years ago. Ethics generally relate to fairness, respect and responsibility. Aldo Leopold once said, “Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching — even when doing the wrong thing is legal.” When we talk about an “ethical hunter,” we are talking about the behavior and sportsmanship an individual demonstrates in the field, whether it’s compliance with laws, courtesy with other hunters, respect for land and landowners, respect for non-hunters, and ethics in reporting honest mistakes.

Enforcement of wildlife laws is primarily done by Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Managers (Game Rangers) who are fully certified, sworn Arizona peace officers with statewide jurisdiction. Penalties for wildlife law violations are specified in Arizona law. Also, all state peace officers have authority to enforce the state’s wildlife laws. In addition, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, as a civil law action, has the authority to revoke an individual’s privilege to take wildlife. The Commission can also direct civil action against the individual to reimburse the state for the value of any unlawfully taken wildlife.

In Arizona’s early years after statehood, politics ruled the State’s wildlife effort. Prior to 1929, wildlife management in Arizona was in the hands of the state legislature. The Arizona Game and Fish Department at that time consisted of a game warden and 12 deputy wardens spread throughout the counties, all subject to the political influence and patronage. A group of concerned sportsmen and other wildlife enthusiasts came together to form the Arizona Game Protective Association in 1923, and they advocated for changes. Their goals included: employing scientific management of the state’s fish and wildlife; securing a game and fish commission and department staffed with competent personnel free of political obligation or interference; and educating the public in the principles of sportsmanship and the need for proper resource management. The group went to the voters with a referendum to repeal the old game code and create the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. The referendum failed in 1926 but passed in 1928.

The first Commission, then consisting of three people, was seated in 1929. One of the first prominent examples of the Commission system’s ability to make decisions based on science and not politics is the 1929 denial of famed author Zane Grey’s request for an exception to hunt black bears during a closed season. Despite Grey’s stature in society and attempt to apply pressure, the commission denied the request.

Today’s Arizona Game and Fish Commission is composed of five citizens (serving staggered five-year terms) appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. Beginning in 2011, as vacancies occur, the governor appoints the new commissioner from a list of names provided annually by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board. With regard to commission composition, no more than one commissioner may be from any one county, and no more than three may be from the same political party. Commission members must have knowledge of wildlife conservation and the role that harvesting wildlife resources plays in managing species.

The commission approves the Game and Fish Department budget and appoints the director of the department to support the commission’s obligations, and provides general supervision and control of all department functions and activities. In recent years, the commission, as part of its functions, has strived to simplify the complex rules that govern hunting and fishing in Arizona. The rules change frequently to adjust for wildlife population fluctuations, management goals and other factors that influence hunting.

For more on the evolution of Arizona’s hunting laws, visit https:// www.azgfd.com/hunting/lawevolution/.

Hunt happenings

• Hunt hard, hunt fair: “Fair chase, as reported by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, is the ethical, sportsmanlike and lawful pursuit and take of free-range wildlife in a manner that does not give a hunter or an angler improper or unfair advantage over such wildlife. Fair chase has been embraced as the proper conduct of a sportsman/sportswoman in the field and has been taught to new hunters for more than a century. It pays respect to the traditions of hunting and angling by emphasizing the development of an individual’s skills rather than reliance on practices or technologies that overwhelm the quarry’s ability to elude detection or take.

Advances in technology are inevitable, and there always will be a better way to craft a bow, firearm or ammunition. However, in terms of fair chase, the line is drawn when that advancement becomes unlawful or provides sportsmen with an improper or unfair advantage.

The commission recognizes that development of new or improved technologies and practices can provide benefits to hunters and anglers by improving competency or increasing participation. However, it also believes that the pursuit and taking of wildlife should be managed to conform with the ethical standards of fair chase. The commission will monitor and give careful consideration to the fair chase implications of an emerging or evolving technology or practice.

Public support of fair chase and ethical hunting is important to the survival of hunting and angling. These pursuits are the cornerstones of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and are the primary source of funding for conservation efforts in North America. The support of fair chase and respect for the traditions of hunting and angling are every sportsmen’s responsibility. So remember, hunt hard, hunt fair.”

Fishing clubs

• Desert Bass Anglers “The Fun Way to Fish”: The extra cold weather, as well as low water levels, made for less than a pleasant day for ideal fishing. However, the team of Joe Cotton/Joe Mayerchik got the job done weighing in 16.78 pounds for first place as well as take the junk fish option with a 5.13 carp, followed by second place husband and wife team from Nevada, Rob and Marsha Killburn, not only weighing in 13.92 (3 fish) for their effort but enjoying the No. 1 big fish honors with a bass weighing 9.52-pounds that took the 8-pound pot as well. Josh Hodges/ Cody Benton team took third place with 13.14 while Lanny Brock/Jason Brooks took fourth with 12.60. One out of the money was the team Dave Greaves/Curtis Cernik with 11.67. The second place big fish went to Ed Reeder/Joe Kling with their bass weighing 4.76. Get in on the Feb. 2 bass team tournament at Mittry Lake — details will be forthcoming or call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984. Club dues are still $15 with additional members of immediate family $10 each. New members are always welcome.

• Desert Draw Series Pro/Am Bass Fishing Club: Don’t pass up the next tournament on Jan. 19 launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Check with Michael Obney at (928) 750-7081 with questions. Member dues are $20, fees: $30 each boat, $10 big fish, $5 8-lb. pot, $1 junk fish. Points awarded to each participant the same for both boater and non-boater according to their ranking in each tournament.

• Michael Obney encourages non-boaters to sign up for tournaments as well as boaters. In essence, that is what the idea behind the draw is to pair non-boaters with boaters to exchange ideas.

• ABA — Yuma division: Many thanks to Billy Clothier and his wife for taking over the tournament’s season here for ABA. Their next tournament will be Jan. 19 on the river. Time to get in on the action if you haven’t done it yet. Call Billy Clothier at 919-0304.

Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@ gmail.com or call 247-4450.