Game Cameras- G&F Agenda

[GreyGhost85]

1 hour ago, AZBIG10 said:

I fear the hounds man of AZ will face a similar fate one day. If that's the case we may just hang it up and move to Alyeska 

I watched an AK resident buy a kodiak brown bear tag over the counter for $25 when i was paying $300 for a blacktail tag a few weeks ago. I could get behind this idea. 

[ThomC]

23 minutes ago, HuntHarder said:

You don't need to worry about anything.  This will only affect people who hunt.  

I dont need to hunt, I just put out bait under the lines and catch squirrels.

[trophyseeker]

3 minutes ago, 654321 said:

It didn't protect or preserve anything, still able to harvest predators.

It wasn't meant to do either. It was meant to conserve wildlife by removing the competition aspect that has so badly infiltrated so much of what was once the moral practice of hunting. That is why the predators are still harvested. 

Offering prizes for mass killings harkens back to the days when commercial hunting led us to the laws and regulations we now have to conserve ALL wildlife. And that is the job of AZ G&F; to deal with all of the state's wildlife, not just that with targets painted on them. 

But then, I think you already knew all that. 😉

[654321]

12 minutes ago, trophyseeker said:

It wasn't meant to do either. It was meant to conserve wildlife by removing the competition aspect that has so badly infiltrated so much of what was once the moral practice of hunting. That is why the predators are still harvested. 

Offering prizes for mass killings harkens back to the days when commercial hunting led us to the laws and regulations we now have to conserve ALL wildlife. And that is the job of AZ G&F; to deal with all of the state's wildlife, not just that with targets painted on them. 

But then, I think you already knew all that. 😉

If it wasn't for some bad publicity headed the departments way from public opinion there would still be predator calling contests the decision to ban predator contests had nothing to do with conserving wildlife.

[trophyseeker]

5 minutes ago, 654321 said:

If it wasn't for some bad publicity headed the departments way from public opinion there would still be predator calling contests the decision to ban predator contests had nothing to do with conserving wildlife.

And that public opinion was based on my 2nd paragraph -- wanton slaughter fueled by the commercialism of cash prizes for such. A lot of hunters supported the ban too. 

We've gone astray of the topic, so you can have the last word if you choose to use it. 😃 

[SirRoyal]

I have made my point ! Thank you for the responses yea or nay . We are a democracy so I say let Freedom Reign!

I apologize if I responded in a personal way to some based on emotion ! 

Life is too short , Life is a gift from our Creator! So I want to spend it wisely!

This is SirRoyal signing off! God Bless! 

[trphyhntr]

edit. nvm not gonna troll today 

[AZLance]

I vote to ban 15x binoculars!

[FirstBlood]

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Posted 2 minutes ago

I think there should be a happy medium... Average memory card camera that needs to be hiked to and checked , fine by me .. Showing time and dedication , Also a great hobby  , I love to see what I captured on camera and show the kids.. Priceless !! But the  cams that go to mobile devices or computers , I can do with out and I own both .. And should be band... . I think its that simple lets not over think this.. What you guys think..?

[azbirdhunter88]

2 hours ago, AZLance said:

I vote to ban 15x binoculars!

That’s next hush 

[bowhunter4life]

All,

We need everyone to let your voice be heard through the commission. The only way they truly have the public opinion is through your emails. We know there are two sides to the total ban of cameras- Nothing will be done on any forum but only through emailing and contacting each commissioner- rule making. By doing so- your voice is a a public record going forward!

AZGFD

Rulemaking@azgfd.gov

[AZMONSTERBULL]

Banning Trail Cams is needed badly in this State!!! Thanks bowhunter4life for providing us with a link to add our comments on why Banning Trail Cams will be so important for the future of hunting in Arizona!

[ThomC]

The lame and fishy banned trapping, coyote contests, baiting, road hunting.  Little by little they are banning away your freedoms.  Coyote contests are not wanton slaughter as one anti hunting person said.  In fact the dept has been shooting coyotes out of helicopters to promote fawn survival.  If the lame and fishy could actually think out of the liberal box they could have controlled contests to do the same thing and save money.  So, they banned coyote contests for money but not regular hunting, then they could ban camera hunting for money, but not cameras for regular hunting.  One thing for sure the dept like any government will be concerned with their bottom line first.  Do you notice the Dept pimping their latest raffle, they are selling more hunting for more MONEY.  

[654321]

GAME AND FISH NEWS         Dec. 30, 2020 Arizona Game and Fish Department     Commission proposes to amend rules to regulate the use of trail cameras Public comment period runs Jan. 1 through Feb. 1, 2021       PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission proposes to amend rules within Article 3, Taking and Handling of Wildlife, to regulate the use of trail cameras for the purpose of taking or aiding in the take of wildlife.   Public comments about the proposed rulemaking can be submitted from Jan. 1 through Feb. 1, 2021, via either: Email: rulemaking@azgfd.gov U.S. Mail: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Celeste Cook, Rules and Policy Manager, 5000 W. Carefree Hwy., Phoenix, AZ 85086.   View more information about the proposed rule HERE.   The final rule will be presented to the five-member commission for consideration at the March 19, 2021 commission meeting.   To track the progress of this rule, view the regulatory agenda and all previous Five-Year Review Reports, and to learn about any other agency rulemaking matters, visit https://www.azgfd.com/agency/rulemaking/.                   The Arizona Game and Fish Department receives Federal assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and thus prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age and sex pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. To request an accommodation or informational material in an alternative format or to file a discrimination complaint please contact the Director’s Office at (602) 942-3000 or by mail at 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Discrimination complaints can also be filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Diversity and Inclusive Workforce, Attention: Public Civil Rights and Disability Coordinator, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041.         Arizona Game & Fish Dept. · 5000 W. Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086 (602) 942-3000 · www.azgfd.gov             v

[Delw]

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●At its Dec. 4, 2020 meeting, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted unanimously (5-0) to open the proposed rulemaking and begin the public process for potential future regulation of passive trail/game cameras used for the take of wildlife . Live action cameras were previously banned for the take of wildlife in 2018. [R12-4-303(A)(5)]

●The proposed language forwarded for comment by the Commission would simply treat both live action and passive trail/game cameras the same by banning trail/game cameras for the use of take.

●The public process includes an opportunity for the public to comment. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted by email at rulemaking@azgfd.gov from Jan. 1, 2021 through Feb. 1, 2021. See last page for other methods of submitting comment.

●The proposed language reads: “A person shall not use a trail camera, or images from a trail camera, for the purpose of taking or aiding in the take of wildlife, or locating wildlife for the purpose of taking or aiding in the take of wildlife.”

●If approved, trail cameras used for research, general photography, cattle operations or any other reason other than the take of wildlife would remain legal.

●“Take” means pursuing, shooting, hunting, fishing, trapping, killing, capturing, snaring or netting wildlife or placing or using any net or other device or trap in a manner that may result in capturing or killing wildlife.

●“Trail camera” means an unmanned device used to capture images, video, or location data of wildlife.

●The Commission is considering regulating trail cameras as a result of public concerns:

 ○Concerns over the use of trail cameras as it relates to Fair Chase. Commission Policy on Fair Chase includes: “...new or evolving technologies and practices that provide hunters or anglers with an improper or unfair advantage in the pursuit and taking of wildlife, or may create a public perception of an improper or unfair advantage...” This applies to areas where water is primarily point source water and game cannot escape detection.

  ○Concerns that the use of trail cameras has become an increasing source of conflict between and amongst hunters, including the sense of ownership over a water source and hunting area.

  ○Concerns that frequent visits to set/check trail cameras are creating a significant disturbance to wildlife during extended dry periods of the year.     

○Concerns among some livestock operators that frequent visits to set/check trail cameras are negatively affecting livestock operations. 

○Concerns over the potential biological effects of setting/checking trail cameras on point source waters, especially during the ongoing drought.

○Concerns stemming from photos being taken of other people in the field by trail cameras.

○Complaints about the high numbers of trail cameras on the landscape and water sources, and concerns over the high number of trail cameras that may be on the landscape in the future as the population in Arizona continues to grow rapidly, technology continues to improve, prices go down, and availability increases.

○Complaints about damage to and theft of trail cameras.

 

●There is now potential monetization of game cameras to include services to place, monitor, check and sell camera images. If those services increase, the numbers of cameras and their use for take could dramatically increase.

●Public concerns about trail cameras have also been raised with the State Legislature. Legislation has previously been introduced that has so far not advanced because the Commission maintains the authority to examine this issue through rulemaking. At the request of the Commission, it was pulled.

 

Quote

●The Commission and Department used the research and recommendations presented by the 2018 Article 3 Rule Review Team to develop the proposed language regulating the use of trail cameras. Alternatives considered in 2018 included:

○No action or no restrictions on use.

○Prohibit live-action cameras (currently in effect).

○¼ mile restriction around water sources.

○Species specific (e.g. prohibit for take of deer and elk, big game).

○Specific units or zones (North/South).

○Camera registration and label system.

○Camera season (open and closed dates).

○Complete ban on use (live-action and passive cameras)

●The Commission will hear and vote on final rulemaking at the March 19, 2021 Commission meeting.

●Any change to the current trail camera rule will not go into effect prior to January 1, 2022.

●See the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking language (also posted at https://www.azgfd.com/Agency/Rulemaking/ (scroll down to Article 3 Taking and Handling of Wildlife Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)

●Once the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is published, it will open a comment period that will run from Jan. 1, 2021 through Feb. 1, 2021 .

Comment can be submitted through:

Email : rulemaking@azgfd.gov

U.S. Mail: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Celeste Cook, Rules and Policy Manager, 5000 W. Carefree Hwy., Phoenix, Arizona 85086.

https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/Info-sheet-on-Commission-trail-cam-proposed-rulemaking_v2.pdf