Coach Report post Posted December 5, 2008 Sent this earlier today: Thank you for giving Arizona sportsmen and women a chance to provide input about this proposed legislation. Unfortunately, I am not able to attend the meeting in Casa Grande in person, so I must express my thoughts about this proposed rule via email. I have been a hunter in Arizona for over 20 years and have hunted with both archery tackle and firearms for just about every species the state has to offer. Over that time I have met a many hunters and AZGFD field personnel. Over the past few years, it has become apparent that the relationship between many outdoor enthusiasts and the Department has begun to sour. One reason is that AZGFD blatantly ignored the will of the public when they opted to shift almost all of the December whitetail hunts to earlier in the year (and double the amount of tags issued) in the name of increased opportunity. When the hunting community expressed their disgust at this change, the department concocted a bogus survey that was clearly designed to support the unpopular decision through deceptive wording. Hunters saw through it and lost respect for the department as a result. Once again, a proposed change has come up for discussion attempting to limit the already low success rates of bowhunters in Arizona. There is no concrete evidence that hunters sitting in tree stands over salt are causing a disproportionately high deer harvest. When archery hunters are required to report harvests and rifle hunters are not, there is no way to get an accurate picture. Additionally, I can assure you that many times more deer are killed by road-hunting archers (illegally, might I add) than salt-hunting archers. If the department can’t enforce the existing road hunting laws, how can they possibly enforce something like a ban on salt. What happens when anti-hunters intentionally spread salt around water tanks to make it illegal for hunters to harvest game in those areas? Overall, I see this as a very bad idea that is not founded in scientific research and has little chance of improving wildlife or hunting in this state. On the other hand, it will undoubtedly serve to drive a wedge between many hunters and the AZGFD. Because it is not enforceable, many hunters who have spent their entire lives hunting strictly within the law will opt not to follow this new legislation. This is not the type of relationship between hunters and the AZ Game and Fish department that is beneficial to either of us. Thank you, Jason Jones Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowsniper Report post Posted December 5, 2008 Very good letter, Jason. Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowhunter4life Report post Posted December 9, 2008 Guys, According to a source at G&F, as of this morning (Thursday), they had only received 10 emails/phone calls about the baiting issue. 8 were in favor of the ban, 2 were against. We definitely need more calls/emails into G&F voicing opposition against the new rule before tomorrow morning. Please drop everything and call or email Celeste Cook 623-236-7390 ccook@azgfd.gov and voice your opposition. The commissioners will considering this input tomorrow when they decide whether or not to proceed on the new rule. Please do it now!! Sorry for the duplicate post, this topic has really gotten scattered around several threads. Mark We are now under the 30 day PUBLIC imput process. send them e-mails ccook@azgfd.gov. send them daily to get there attention. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
