Arizona Game & Fish Dept Seeks Comments on Hunt/Capture Regs

Comments sought on reptile, raptor, amphibian and mollusk regulations

Rocky Mountain Toad

(This information is from a June 6, 2014 Email from AZGFD.)

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking public comments on draft 2015-2016 regulations for reptiles, raptors, crustaceans and mollusks, and amphibians. You may comment  from June 6 through July 11, 2014.  . The Rocky Mountain Toad in the photo is not imperiled, but how does someone justify killing or capturing 10 (the proposed limit)?.. .

(GR:  The regulations apply to species that the AZGFD itself considers imperiled and critically imperiled.  Permitting killing and capturing will only increase the likelihood of extinction.  For example, the regulations allow all licensed hunters to capture or kill four (4) Rosy Boas (Lichanura trivirgata), a species considered critically imperiled by AZGFD and “a species of concern” under the U. S. Endangered Species Act. Moreover, killing and capturing wild animals for fun is unethical, cruel, and a violation of animal rights.) .

Special:  The proposed changes being considered for the 2015-2016 commission orders include:

• In Commission Order 25, a reduced bag limit for the nonresident peregrine falcon hunt, adjustment of the hunt units for ferruginous hawks, and clarification of peregrine falcon harvest capture age.
• In Commission Order 43, a reduced bag limit for Sonora mud turtle from four to two (possession limit remains the same), and changing “Limited Weapon” season to “Limited Weapon Hand or Hand-held Implement” season, which opens more of the state to traditional means of hunting reptiles.

To see the draft commission orders for most species, click the following links:

• Commission Order 25 (Raptors)  Raptor conservation status (all AZ birds).
  
• Commission Order 41 (Amphibians) Arizona Amphibian conservation status.
  
• Commission Order 43 (Reptiles)  Arizona species conservation status:  Lizards, Snakes, Turtles.
  
• Commission Order 42 (Crustaceans and Mollusks)  Arizona species conservation status. (You will have to extract these from the AZGFD species lists.)
  

For more information, call (623) 236-7507. Comment by e-mail to: CommOrd25@azgfd.gov  (Raptors); CommOrd41&43@azgfd.gov (Amphibians and Reptiles); and CommOrd42@azgfd.gov  (Crustaceans and Mollusks), or by mail to: Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Arizona 85086.