A Call to Arms

[antler]

It is finally here, Arizona is heading right down the same path as Kalifornia. Soon there will be no hunting in Arizona, and most will wonder, why?

The animal rights groups have declared war on hunters, and most hunters don't have a clue. Today, the Animal Defense League ran half page adds in all of the major newspapers in Arizona. These adds are calling on all the anti's to show up at the G&F meeting this Staurday and tell the commision to Stop Lion Hunting in Arizona. And if this meeting is anything like the last Commision meeting in Tucson, the Anti's outnumbered the hunters 10 to 1.

So "what can I do" you are asking. We are asking all hunters to show up at the G&F commision meeting at 7:30 to 8:00am, and fill out blue cards to speak to the commision. We need to fill the building so that when the Anti's show up there is no room for them in the meeting room. Now, I am sure that many of you think that you are not good at speaking in public. Well all we are asking you to say is one sentence. Something like this.

"Hi, my name is John Doe, and I support this commision, the department, and the current mountain lion management in Arizona." If you feel like saying more go right ahead. We need as many voices as possible.

Dont wait until mountain lion hunting is BANNED to take a stand. Stand up for hunting, and we together can make a difference.

The commision meeting is this Saturday the 17th at 8:00am. The meeting is being held at the Faternal Order of Police Lodge #2, 12851 N. 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029

Please forward this to all your friends and please take the time to show up.

If any one from Tucson needs a ride to the meeting we have 2 car pools going that direction. Please e-mail me at [email protected]

Thanks

Lance Altherr

 

[shedcrazy]

Sounds like a bad deal. 10 - 1 and all. They do get the numbers. That is one area that hunters probably could fair better at is a bigger showing at these meetings. I know im as guilty as the next guy of not showing up. One piece of comfort that can be taken and maybe its not a huge comfort but game commsisions are about MONEY and there is no money coming in when the hunts are stopped. not to say that particular hunt wont be stopped but it is a huge weapon in our favor. Like you said though with that in our favor and if we could get a huge showing of people. the antis could kiss our @$$es. Bottom line is, as long as there is huge money in hunting, it will never go away. Lion hunts maybe but the mainstream stuff isnt going away anymore than oil is going away.


Shedcrazy

 

[Ant]

I don't live in Arizona but if you give an email address I send them some non-res concerns. I live in Cali and can attest to the fact that lions running loose is a bad thing, and can even send them some news clips on people attacked by lions in residential areas. Anything to stick it to the ANTI's I'm with you all the way.

 

[Hawkk33]

How much is the lion hunting contributing to the local economies of Arizona ? Is it a big draw like the deer and elk hunting offered there ?

I know a dollar earned is a dollar earned but if elk and deer bring in say 25-30 million a year in revenue and lion hunting only 200 K a year, guess what the commission will do ? you got it cut the lessor figure off.

I hope that Az F&G commission makes the decisions based on the best science and accurate information available and doesn't cave into groups either pro or anti who will be throwing emotional justifications that suit their own agenda's instead of whats good for the resource.

 

[smalls]

Shed, you can't take that for granted!

The "its just lion hunting" attitude is what they want you to think. They know they can't take it all away at once, but brick by brick they are going to tear down your hunting shack.

And you are right, the state will always get its income, but off of how many tags. Wait til the anti's use the argument that the state could raise just as much money by selling half the tags for twice the price, it is coming. If they can't take it away, the anti's want to make it as HARD as possible to participate in hunting. As I have complained before, we are on a track to make hunting an aristocratic pasttime rather than a herd management tool.

My suggestion is to show up at the meeting in blaze orange from head to toe, YOU HAVE GOT TO BE SEEN! If you are worried about numbers, coordinate, if you have all the hunters looking like a sea of orange, you will decieve everyone to how many people are actually there.

Appoint 2 or 3 guys (I know there are a couple of guys from az here who are sharp as tacks) to address the committe on behalf of the group as a whole, talk with fact and drive home the truth. That comes off a whole lot better than a couple of hundred half-cocked angry hunters.

If you have facts, graphs, information, etc. Put it together nicely in a binder or folder of some sort and give to the panel (and even bring enough to share with some of the antis). Give them something they can refer to past the date of this meeting.

I would then suggest following up w/ the G&F a couple of days after the meeting, just give them gentle reminders that hunters are responsible and they care.

Just some suggestions, take them or leave them.

 

[smalls]

And antler, if you posted the email addresses of those on the commission panel, I am sure we could fill their mailboxes with letters of lion hunting support...

 

[manny15]

I feel for yah, you guys got alotta Calif, transplants down there...we have the same delemma with the big kats over here their eating humans and nobody gives a rip...I hope you have a good turn out ant,

 

[Bob D.]

There may not be as much money for the game department with lion hunting as there is with deer/elk hunting, but the thing is what happens if the lions eat all the deer and elk? (or reduce their numbers significantly) That means less deer and elk tags sold, and less money for the state. Which means prices of deer and elk tags will go up to make up for it.

 

[manny15]

Heck here in Cali. the deer sucess rate in some places are less the 5% and people still buy a chitload of tags so why should the DFG care if the kats kill all the deer...

 

[Morty_Pass]

I'm really hating it for you guys from AZ. This has really got to suck. I'm glad I saw this. I know a few hunters in AZ and I think they would really like to see this I'll forward them the link. Hope you guys have a big turn out of supporters. I hate the fact that you guys are going to have to see anti's in the flesh. Hope a knockdown dragout doesnt breakout.. Good luck with your meeting..

later, MP

 

[HunterHarry]

Anyone attending the meeting should be sure to mention the lion related deaths in California! And be real graphic about it.
Ask them if they want to become the hunted like Californians!
EXAGGERATE!!!! the Antis' sure do!
Remember you are trying to convince the non-hunter.

 

[Growler]

I just saw this post bowsing thru old posts, and I thought I would bring it back to the top of the list.

How did the turn out go??

Troy
Flick 'em & Stick 'em

 

[Bura Nut]

The Hunting contingent turnout was great. We had around 175 hunters in the room and very very few anti's. The commission was very supportive of the Hunting speakers like Pete Cimerello along with the ranchers who spoke. Ultimately the commission made a decision to not allow "spotted lions" to be shot but left the rest of the lion seasons/proceedures the same. All in all the meeting ended up with a win for sportsmen. Thanks, Allen Taylor......

 

[Ant]

Great news!!!!!

 

[IdahoMuley]

I Support you up here in Idaho that must really suck! better get all the rednecks out with there shotguns! lol
Muley Man!

 

[freedivr2]

Here's my thinkin and I think I'm on track, correct me if I've missed something;

The general non-hunting public, and the animal rights groups in particular, are simply unedumacated on wildlife population dynamics, habitat carrying capacities, etc. They go purty much strictly on "that's a cute animal, we shouldn't harm it" without any regard at all for biological or ecological facts.

State F&G agencies hire professional, edumacated Bilogists and Zoologists to best understand wildlife population dynamics based on scientific facts at hand, which change year to year. As much as they mess up, they're the best choice we have to manage wildlife, or certainly proven to be much better than the alternative.

Proposition 117 (Calif; an initiative voted into law in 1991 to prohibit hunting of mountain lions) has had a devestating effect on deer and Bighorn sheep populations in the state. The animals have had a tough enough time thru the drought of the 90s, but this non-management of predators really gave our deer herds the one-two punch with regards to herd devestation.

My thought; each state create an initiative, as Utah did a few years ago, which gives 100% authority to the Depts. of Fish and game to manage wildlife. It will take an effort from us, the hunting population, to get an initiative written and signatures, to get this on the state ballots. My question is, do you care enough to do something about it and volunteer your time and effort to do something like this? I know, where do you start is my real question.....