Poachers in AZ: May Commission meeting

Thanks to everyone who commented on our FB posts about two of the poaching cases on the May Arizona Game and Fish Commission agenda! We thought it would be easier to answer some of your questions and provide more information on the blog.

The two cases we posted came-out of Mohave County. That's impressive! Each case had unusual elements and either local law enforcement or Game and Fish stepped-up at the investigation, arrest or prosecution phases.

Each month the Commission hears poaching cases as part of its regular meeting agenda. They are always heard on Friday at 2 pm. You can attend in person at Game and Fish Headquaters (Carefree Highway 1 mile west of Interstate 17, north of Phoenix, online at AZ Game & Fish website or at one of six regional offices around the state.

Poaching cases come before the Commission for license revocations and civil assessments AFTER poachers have been convicted (found guilty) and sentenced in criminal court. These cases are misdemeanors so they are adjudicated in municipal or justice courts around the state.

Thanks to an Operation Game Thief tipster--Steven Wannebo, a Minnesota resident, was arrested by Arizona Game & Fish while he was checking his trap line and booked into Mohave County jail on four counts of setting leghold traps on State Trust Land, three counts of trapping within a half mile of a residence, cross country travel and driving on a revoked license. He pled guilty and was fined $3,200.

Edwin C. Jess drove a golf cart (in front of several animal lovers- he said) to a pond adjacent to Riverview Resort Golf Course. He then attacked a great blue heron that was landing on the pond, beating him to death with a golf club. Jess was charged with animal cruelty and killing an animal out of season and was convicted on both charges. There is no season for great blue herons. ADLA was pleased to see animal cruelty charges filed along with the criminal violation of Game & Fish statutes.

The Commission revoked both mens' licenses to hunt, trap and fish in Arizona for five years and imposed a civil assessment for the "value" of the animals taken. Those revocations typically result in revocations in the poachers' home states and other states where they may hunt or fish.

Operation Game Thief's number is 1-800-352-0700.

Ask Gov. Brewer to Veto Bad Wildlife Bill!

ADLA ALERT: Ask Governor Brewer to Veto Bad Wildlife Bill!

The organization that opposes everything we support in the world of wildlife, is about to take control of the Arizona Game & Fish Commission appointment process. We need your help to stop them!

“With the passing of Senate Bill 1200, the Arizona Legislature turned wildlife management back to the 1950s, where the attitude was, ‘If you cannot shoot it, it is not worth having.’“

- Arizona Wildlife Biologist

Despite widespread opposition, SB 1200 (NOW: game and fish commission; recommendation board) passed out of the House on Thursday 36-19-5 and is on its way to the Governor.

What You Can Do:

Please contact Governor Brewer IMMEDIATELY and politely ask her to veto SB 1200! You can contact Governor Brewer by calling her at (602) 542-4331 or toll free at 1-(800) 253-0883. You can email her by clicking on Governor Brewer and then filling in the online form. You can also paste this website into your browser http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp. Please send a copy of your email to smyers@az.gov  , psenseman@az.gov,  and ssmith@az.gov

How will SB 1200 harm animals?

SB 1200 would enable an elite group of trophy hunters and ranchers to take control of Arizona’s wildlife by hijacking the Arizona Game and Fish Commission appointment process:

It is based on misrepresentations of the Game and Fish budget, and how much hunters actually contribute.

It is based on misrepresentation of participation of these trophy hunters in the appointment process in the past. They have participated, and have had their choices selected the majority of the time.

It excludes almost all Arizonans from the Game and Fish Commission appointment process.

The Game and Fish Commission and Department have many programs that greatly benefit wildlife and habitat such as the reintroduction of black-tailed prairie dogs that were once completely wiped out in Arizona; and habitat protection and mapping projects through the State Wildlife Action Plan. In the last five years they have adopted policies to better understand and protect mountain lions. If SB 1200 is signed into law by Governor Brewer all that could change.

SB 1200 is opposed by consumptive and non-consumptive members of the wildlife community including the Arizona Game & Fish Commission, Animal Defense League of Arizona, Sierra Club, Arizona Audubon Society, Arizona Wildlife Federation, Arizona Republic Editorial Board, and many other groups and individuals.

For detailed bill information and background including the groups that are behind SB 1200 click here

Please email the link below to your contacts in Arizona.

http://www.adlaz.org/Legislative%20Alert%20SB%201200.htm

Thanks for your help!

Animal Defense League of Arizona

http://www.adlaz.org/

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