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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
game and fish; taking wolves
Purpose
Allows a person to take a wolf that is actively threatening or attacking a person or domestic animal.
Background
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) administers wildlife statutes. Control of AZGFD is vested in the Arizona Game and Fish Commission (Commission). Among its statutory powers and duties, the Commission must: 1) establish hunting, fishing and trapping rules and prescribe the manner and methods that may be used in taking wildlife; 2) establish broad policies and long-range programs for the management, preservation and harvest of wildlife; and 3) enforce wildlife protection laws (A.R.S. §§ 17-201 and 17-231).
AZGFD has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the reintroduction, release and management of Mexican gray wolves to ensure their long-term conservation and recovery (86 Fed. Reg. 59,957 (October 29, 2021)). Statute requires AZGFD to report to Commission meetings: 1) any known death of a Mexican gray wolf and the reason for the death, if known; 2) the number of Mexican gray wolves supplemented with feed and the cost of the supplementation; 3) the number of Mexican gray wolves captured by AZGFD or a federal partnering agency, the reason for the capture and a full DNA profile on each captured wolf; 4) the location of all collared Mexican gray wolves; and 5) all human and domestic incidents in Arizona that involve a Mexican gray wolf (A.R.S. § 17-253).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Restricts the Commission, notwithstanding any other law, from prohibiting a person from taking a wolf that is actively threatening or attacking a person, livestock or other domestic animal.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
LARA 2/14/22 DPA/SE 7-4-0-0
3rd Read 2/22/22 36-23-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 14, 2022
RC/MAH/slp