Arizona Wildlife Protection: Gambling for Big Game
Young Mule Deer
I am not a gambler, but as I watched five Mule Deer browsing in my yard this morning I decided to enter the Arizona Game and Fish Department drawing to win a deer hunting permit. If I win, I will have blocked a real killer. (The header image is from the Arizona Game and Fish Department website.)
You can enter drawings for Bighorn Sheep, Buffalo, Deer, Javelina, Pheasant, and Turkey. Click here to enter. Fees vary depending on your location and the species you are protecting. For Arizona residents, the license and entry fee are $50. If you win, the toe tag will cost an extra $45.
The drawings for Elk and Pronghorn Antelope took place last month (25,932 killing permits issued). There are a few Elk tags left. If this is your special animal, click here to buy a chance to save one.
Arizona Wildlife Management
Some will argue that killing wild animals is necessary to prevent habitat-destroying population explosions. Others will say that restoring and protecting habitat, removing domestic livestock, and protecting large predators will achieve natural populations and increase overall biodiversity. Of course, selling licenses is big business; the Arizona Game and Fish Department, like many other governmental wildlife management agencies, depends on license sales for a substantial part of its annual budget. Search my website for “Hunting,” “Livestock,” and “Predators” to find discussions and reports related to these subjects.
Here’s a tweet suggestion (you should have room to add a photo):
Protect wildlife: Apply for a big-game permit and keep a killer out of the woods.
If you decide to take a chance, you can let us know in a comment. If you don’t want to publicize your gambling sins, send me a private email.
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