FYI....
ARIZONA-Night Predator Hunting Proposal
Moving On The Slow Track
YUMA – The Arizona Game and Fish Commission on Feb. 22 gave the nod for the department to move forward with a “comprehensive internal and public review process” for a night hunting, limited-weapon, shotgun shooting shot season for predatory and fur-bearing mammals.
But don’t expect quick action on possible commission rule changes regarding this issue – it has been relegated to the slow track. In fact, various commissioners complimented the department on moving slowly and methodically forward.
The Game and Fish Commission was briefed by the department on the issue at its December 2001 meeting in Phoenix as part of the five-year rules review process. At that time, the commission directed the department to move forward in drafting a plan for a “comprehensive internal and public review” process on the nighttime predator- hunting proposal.
The commission approved the following process during its meeting in Yuma:
· Game and Fish employees will be distributed a payroll stuffer requesting their written comments and feedback on the proposal. They will be provided a summarized overview of potential rule changes necessary to allow such a season;
· The Review Team is sending out a questionnaire to the various Western states and will be analyzing the benchmark data collected. This information will also be shared with department employees, and ultimately with the public.
· The Review Team will evaluate internal comments, and the benchmarking data from the Western states, and will then provide that information to the commission at its May 18 public meeting in Tucson.
· On May 18, if the commission approves moving forward with the process, the department will establish parameters and sideboards for a public outreach plan, including statewide public meetings.
At the end of the public input process, the department will provide the commission with a briefing and summary of public comments and the department’s recommendation on rulemaking (possibly at the commission’s September meeting in Springerville).
This exhaustive process is being conducted before any formal rule change is drafted and brought forward for full public input.