The new AZ Law

[coues7]

does anyone know anything about the new law passed about feeding native species in AZ?

[davecinaz]

does anyone know anything about the new law passed about feeding native species in AZ?

 

Here's what the news story tonight said:

 

Another law to know about: feeding the wildlife is now illegal in Arizona. The only exception? Tree squirrels and birds.

 

This law was designed to keep humans safe from potential attacks, but wildlife experts say it also keeps animals safe that can't digest human food.

[missedagain]

The way that I understand it this law is aimed at people feeding wildlife in urban areas. It does not make it illegal to hunt over bait, except of course for bear & migratory birds.

I believe the g$f has more info on this law and some other new ones to take effect this week, including tougher laws on poachers and a law making it illegal to interfere with hunters.

[Outdoor Writer]

New wildlife-feeding law goes into effect

PHOENIX - Our recent drought has prompted many wild animals to move into our cities, looking for food. Unfortunately, when people intentionally feed wildlife, they can encourage these animals to stick around, become aggressive and even dangerous to humans. A new law that goes into effect tomorrow in Maricopa and Pima counties is aimed at preventing those problems.

"Many people think feeding wildlife is a helpful thing to do, and they enjoy seeing rabbits or deer spending time around their homes," says Elissa Ostergaard, urban wildlife specialist in the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Tucson office. "What also happens is that those animals attract larger, predatory animals to the neighborhoods. That's when you have coyotes, javelina and other animals that can become a danger to people and harm their pets."

State Sen. Toni Hellon of Tucson sponsored the bill that evolved into the wildlife-feeding law for Maricopa and Pima counties. The law does not affect people just feeding birds and tree squirrels or anyone carrying out normal livestock or agricultural operations. It is a public safety measure that will only stop those who are intentionally, knowingly or recklessly feeding wildlife.

"We do not intend to use this law unless someone is obviously creating a problem in a neighborhood that could affect other people, and he or she has already been warned," says Mike Senn, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's field operations division. "We prefer to educate people first, and this is a last resort option."

Problems associated with wildlife feeding include coyote attacks on eight child victims in areas of Maricopa County, two recent Phoenix-area incidents where javelina bit humans who were hand-feeding them, and several human-mountain lion encounters in 2004 in Sabino Canyon and near an elementary school in the Tucson area.

[bmf1321]

missedagain, i have always thought shooting game over bait in az. was illegal.