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Record high for elk permits
Dale Hajek, The Arizona Republic
April 22, 2001
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission had its say Saturday, approving hunt recommendations for 2001-02 that included another record-high number of elk permits and an all-time low for deer.
But the five commissioners, who are appointed by the governor, first had to listen to accusations that the increase in elk permits statewide to 29,395, or 4,635 more than last year, was politically driven or biologically unsound.
Or both.
Some members of the public who attended the meeting at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 2 also were skeptical of the "limited-opportunity elk seasons," which were established to reduce the number of animals living year-round on winter range or creating depredation problems on private lands.
One of the most fiery of the speakers, Jack Simon, accused department personnel and the commissioners of "sticking their heads in the sand" when it comes to investigating depredation claims, most of which he believes are overblown or invalid.
"It's time that the commission and the department get some hair on their chest and start acting like the professional wildlife managers they're supposed to be," Simon said.
Simon's pointed comments drew scattered applause from the crowd. It was short-lived, however. The next speaker, Richard Dunkirk, praised the department for its efforts and foresight.
"I don't think there's a tougher job in Arizona than being involved in the Game and Fish Department," he said.
"I think the hunters in this state have to realize that there always are going to be political issues, social issues and habitat issues."
In other news:
• An amendment was approved to increase the number of permits for bull elk from 40 to 80 in management unit 7M.
• A juniors-only antlerless deer hunt in unit 12A West on the North Kaibab was rescheduled from Oct. 19-22 to Oct. 5-8.
Dale Hajek, The Arizona Republic
April 22, 2001
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission had its say Saturday, approving hunt recommendations for 2001-02 that included another record-high number of elk permits and an all-time low for deer.
But the five commissioners, who are appointed by the governor, first had to listen to accusations that the increase in elk permits statewide to 29,395, or 4,635 more than last year, was politically driven or biologically unsound.
Or both.
Some members of the public who attended the meeting at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 2 also were skeptical of the "limited-opportunity elk seasons," which were established to reduce the number of animals living year-round on winter range or creating depredation problems on private lands.
One of the most fiery of the speakers, Jack Simon, accused department personnel and the commissioners of "sticking their heads in the sand" when it comes to investigating depredation claims, most of which he believes are overblown or invalid.
"It's time that the commission and the department get some hair on their chest and start acting like the professional wildlife managers they're supposed to be," Simon said.
Simon's pointed comments drew scattered applause from the crowd. It was short-lived, however. The next speaker, Richard Dunkirk, praised the department for its efforts and foresight.
"I don't think there's a tougher job in Arizona than being involved in the Game and Fish Department," he said.
"I think the hunters in this state have to realize that there always are going to be political issues, social issues and habitat issues."
In other news:
• An amendment was approved to increase the number of permits for bull elk from 40 to 80 in management unit 7M.
• A juniors-only antlerless deer hunt in unit 12A West on the North Kaibab was rescheduled from Oct. 19-22 to Oct. 5-8.
