House of Representatives

HB 2127

nonresident big game permits; limits

Sponsors: Representatives Weiers JP, Chase, Burges, Murphy et al

DPA	Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture
dpa	Caucus and COW
x	As Transmitted to Governor

HB 2127 requires the Game and Fish Commission to implement a cap on the number of big game permits issued to nonresidents.

History

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission (Commission) establishes policy for the management and preservation of wildlife, by setting regulations for managing, conserving, and protecting wildlife and fisheries resources. The Commission oversees hunting and fishing activities in the state by setting guidelines as to when, where, and in what manner wildlife may lawfully be taken.

Hunters are required to be licensed and to have the appropriate tag to take big game.  Current law defines big game as wild turkey, deer, elk, antelope, big horn sheep, bison, javelina, bear and mountain lion.  In the event that applications for big game permits exceed the number of permits available, a random drawing is conducted.

Provisions

· Requires the Game and Fish Commission to limit the number of big game permits issued to nonresidents to ten percent or fewer of the total hunt permits.

· Allows the Commission to increase the number of nonresident big game permits in extraordinary circumstances.  Requires the finding of an extraordinary circumstance and the subsequent increase to be authorized by a unanimous vote of the Game and Fish Commission.

· Applies to big game permits that are issued using a random drawing.

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· Forty-seventh Legislature             Analyst Initials _______

· Second Regular Session                April 6, 2006

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