![]() ![]() The Mountain Lion Foundation says of that number, between 1,166 and 1,715 are independent, meaning they have left their mothers and are nearing adulthood. For mountain lions, one of those is to reduce the number of lions that can be killed.Īccording to AZGFD, there are 2,000-2,700 mountain lions in the state, a number that includes kittens, which are illegal to hunt. Mountain lions: Target fewer femalesĬonservation groups say they would like to see a few suggestions put in place to ensure hunting is managed ethically and sustainably. Recommendations are different from regulations, which are orders set by the wildlife commission. The revised guidelines will be used to issue hunting recommendations, which are updated every two years, and final regulations throughout the five-year period. The final guidelines are expected to come out in the fall. 30, the agency will send the feedback to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission for approval, likely sometime this spring. These revisions will be effective from 2023 to 2028.Īfter the public comment period ends Jan. The update is a part of a cyclical review that happens every five years so the agency can gauge what works and what doesn't in terms of hunting. They are used to determine how animals can be hunted, the length of hunt seasons, and the limit on how many can be killed. Hunting guidelines are used by Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists to create recommendations for species such as elk, deer, javelina, turkey and many more throughout the state. ![]() In peril: An infestation of tiny insects threatens the survival of Arizona's aspen trees What are hunting guidelines? But those involved acknowledge managing what is essentially recreational killing can be tricky. The feedback will be factored into revised hunting guidelines. State officials have begun seeking feedback from the public, offering Arizonans the opportunity to weigh in on what changes they'd like to see put into place. Rather, they say their recommendations are about ensuring that the guidelines reflect what the latest data tell wildlife managers about animal populations and behavior. Stewart’s organization along with the Center for Biological Diversity and Mountain Lion Foundation, don’t oppose hunting. That's really what this opportunity is with the hunt guidelines." "I think, overall, our biggest priority is that the agency manages these three native carnivores using the best available science. "There are a lot of things we would like to see changed," said Haley Stewart, a program manager with the Humane Society of the United States, one of the groups proposing a slew of revisions targeting these species. Trappers prize their winter belly fur for sale in the fur trade. According to the groups focused on these species, these animals are mostly hunted for sport, with bobcats an exception. Three species fall into this category in Arizona: mountain lions, bobcats, and black bears. ![]() But a coterie of groups are hoping their concerns about the way native carnivores are managed will also be considered and given equal weight alongside consumptive users. Traditionally, the guidelines review process has been an opportunity to maximize hunting based on hunters' input. The process is raising questions among some conservation groups about what hunters are allowed to hunt and how many individual animals can be killed within a given season. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is updating key hunting guidelines that will set the tone for wildlife management in the state for the next five years. ![]()
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