The Animal Defense League of Arizona began to focus on wildlife prot
ection late in the 1990’s. Its focus has been on the Arizona Game & Fish Commission and Department, as they have primary responsibility for all wildlife management decisions in Arizona, except those involving federally protected species and decisions made by land management agencies that affect wildlife.
The primary goals of the wildlife program have been to be recognized as a stakeholder by Arizona Game & Fish in order to represent the interests of wildlife, the animal protection community and the majority of Arizonans who do not hunt and fish; to advocate for the protection of “focal” species- those species upon which other species depend and that are critical to functioning ecosystems; and to advocate for the protection of important habitat.
As long as wildlife policies are based on sound science, ADLA believes that hunting is not the biggest threat to wildlife in Arizona. Rather, loss of habitat, fragmentation and climate change are much bigger and more imminent threats. Ideally, ADLA would prefer to find common ground with hunters, based on its belief that too few people have an interest in nature and the outdoors.
ADLA
regularly participates in Arizona Game & Fish Commission and Department meetings to advocate for habitat protection, focusing on important focal species. Those are species that protect habitat for many other species when present, and help assure that Arizona’s ecosystems are functioning and resilient. ADLA’s work is primarily on mountain lions and prairie dogs.
ADLA also provides oversight of Game and Fish in order to defeat bad policies that will harm wildlife or decrease the voice of animal protection. In November of 2010, ADLA was one of the groups that led the charge to defeat Proposition 109- a poorly conceived proposed amendment to Arizona’s Constitution that was soundly defeated by voters.
ADLA also reminds Game and Fish that many of their constituents do not hunt and fish. Their interests and the interests of wildlife must be balanced in Game and Fish decision-making.
AZ Game and Fish Commission Approves Extreme Hunting Proposals
At its December 2011 meeting, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission
continued its anti-predator policies, approving night hunting of coyotes and cougars; "English-Style" fox, rabbit and coyote hunting and putting up more road blocks to the reintroduction of Mexican gray wolves.
"It was a disappointing, but not surprising day", said Animal Defense League of Arizona president Stephane Nichols-Young.
Take Action on AZ Game and Fish Extreme Proposals!
Our state's wildlife need your help! Arizona Game and Fish is considering extreme proposals to allow night hunting of mountain lions and coyotes and permitting Arizona-style fox hunts with hounds. Other proposals include killing small animals with 'hand-held projectiles', and killing mountain lions with shot pellets.
The Animal Defense League of Arizona has submitted comments to Arizona Game and Fish stating that all of these proposals are extreme and should be rejected. ADLA will be at the Commission meeting on Friday and Saturday, and hope you will join us in person, at a regional office or by viewing the webcast.
The Arizona Republic ran an excellent editorial denouncing the radical proposals. You can read it here.
What You Can Do
Attend the AZ Game and Fish Commission meeting on Friday, Dec. 2, at 5000 W. Carefree Hwy in Phoenix. The Commission will be discussing the proposed rulemaking and will take public comments. Read the agenda here.
AZ Game and Fish Revisits Night Hunting Proposal
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is considering allowing the use of artificial lights to hunt coyotes and mountain lions. This rule change is being considered as a precurser to allowing night hunting of these specie
s.
The Commission rejected a similar proposal in 2002 at the recommendation of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and many individual biologists who worked for the Department at that time.
We need to send a clear message that Arizonans think this is a bad idea that should be rejected.
ADLA maintains an extensive database of low-cost spay/neuter clinics around Arizona. 
