REFERENCE TITLE: hunting; angling; wildlife conservation

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

2023

HCM 2005

Introduced by

Representative Griffin

A Concurrent Memorial

urging the United States Congress to support hunting, angling and wildlife conservation.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

To the Congress of the United States of America:

Your memorialist respectfully represents:

Whereas, states are the primary caretakers of fish and wildlife through the public trust doctrine; and

Whereas, the American system of conservation funding depends heavily on the financial support of hunters and anglers, who make the largest monetary contributions to the conservation of fish and wildlife through their purchases of licenses and hunt permit-tags and excise taxes on ammunition and outdoor recreation equipment; and

Whereas, the historic uses of Arizona's rivers, lakes, streams, forests and rural lands over several centuries have included hunting and angling; and

Whereas, Arizona has a rich, historic tradition of hunting and angling that dates back to before statehood and continues to this day; and

Whereas, Arizona's wildlife is held in the public trust, one of the core concepts guaranteeing opportunities for all citizens to participate in hunting, angling and wildlife conservation; and

Whereas, Arizona's sportsmen and sportswomen were among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to conserve fish and wildlife and their habitats and to help fund state efforts to provide for healthy natural resources; and

Whereas, Arizona sportsmen and sportswomen continue to provide the funding for the AZGFD, which is the primary steward of the state's fish and wildlife resources; and

Whereas, more than 500,000 hunters and anglers in Arizona represent an economic powerhouse with spending that exceeds $900 million per year and an economic impact of $1.34 billion to this state; and

Whereas, Arizona's hunting and angling industries are a vital economic driver, supporting more than 17,000 jobs that generate $314 million in salaries and wages and creating economic opportunity, particularly in rural communities; and

Whereas, the annual spending by Arizona's hunters and anglers generates $58 million in state revenue; and

Whereas, AZGFD successfully conserves and protects more than 800 native wildlife species; and

Whereas, hunting and angling provide the financial backbone for world-class stewardship of natural resources through a "user pays—public benefits" approach that represents the world's most effective system of fish and wildlife management; and

Whereas, hunters and anglers must respect private property rights while they are engaged in their hunting and angling endeavors; and

Whereas, National Hunting and Fishing Day was established in 1972 and is celebrated the fourth Saturday of each September to recognize hunters and anglers for their immense contributions to fish and wildlife conservation and to society; and

Whereas, hunting and angling in Arizona are a vital part of the state and local historic customs, culture, heritage and economies.

Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:

1. That the United States Congress respect the historic and current use of Arizona's recreational areas by sportsmen and sportswomen, support the time-honored Arizona traditions of hunting and angling, the very backbone of conservation, and respect the administration of wildlife conservation through the sound science delivered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and science-based policies developed by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.