Finally, The Arizona Game and Fish Commission on Friday voted for imposing a ban on Coyote killing contests and formed a new law. The contests organized would allow hunters to kill maximum coyotes or any other wild animal and earn rewards such as money or hunting instrument.
The contests require participants to register and pay a fee, the participants for killing more coyotes or any fur-bearing animals would receive cash prizes. If the bill is approved by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) then it will be implemented on 1st, January 2019. However, the rule still needs final approval from a council appointed by the governor Doug Ducey named GRRC.
Arizona Game and Fish Commission member, Kurt Davis stated,
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.
Further, Davis said,
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 to fulfill its duty to conserve wildlife for the beneficial use of current and future generations.
The Oregon based Legislature was planning to create a law for banning the practice, and in April, the governor of New Mexico sealed the new law for banning the contests.
As per the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), the new rule will not be imposed on any fishing tournament events, and neither will be applied to lawful, regulated hunting of predators and fur-bearing animals. They play an important role in wildlife management.
AZGFD mentioned, according to the definition of A.R.S.S 17-101 predatory animals are bobcats, coyotes, skunks, and foxes and fur-bearing animals are namely beavers, badgers, raccoons, muskrats, bobcats, ringtail cats, weasels, and otters.
Center for Biological Diversity- environment group, appreciated the vote and mentioned there might be some loopholes, and it’s a concern that will allow few contests to happen. The votes were all in favor of banning contests, 4-0.
The environment protection group National Coalition to End Wildlife Killing Contests, Project Coyote mentioned the events neglects important roles played by native predators.
Project Coyote’s, Arizona State Representative, Matt Francis stated, we are happy to know that Commissioner Davis is sure to change the law if required to avoid participants from escaping the ban. We all consider similar thing what Davis think to stop the brutal ecologically killing of wildlife animals of the public without any valid reason.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department informed that eliminating coyotes from one region only allows for coyotes entering from other regions and also results in early breeding.
The law was approved on 21st June 2019 further waiting for final acceptance from GRRC.
