ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: LARA DPA 5-2-0-2

HB 2552: dogs; hunting; rules; prohibition

Sponsor: Representative Diaz, LD 19

Caucus & COW

Overview

Allows the use of dogs for hunting wildlife.

History

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission (Commission) is responsible for establishing the rules and regulations for managing, conserving and protecting wildlife. The Commission is comprised of five members appointed by the governor, subject to Senate confirmation, who serve five-year terms. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (Department) administers the rules and regulations as set by the Commission (A.R.S. §§ 17-201, 17-231 and 38-211).

A person may take wildlife only during daylight hours and by means of:

1) firearms, fishing equipment, archery equipment or other implements in hand as regulated by the Commission, including hunting or fishing license;

2) snares, traps not designed to kill or nets to take wildlife for scientific research projects, sport falconry or relocation of the wildlife;

3) poisons or nets by the Department to take and manage aquatic wildlife; or

4) traps or poison to control wild and domestic rodents (A.R.S. § 17-301).

Provisions

1. Prohibits the rules adopted by the Commission from restricting the use of dogs to take wildlife. (Sec. 1)

2. Allows a person to take wildlife with the aid of dogs. (Sec. 2)

Amendments

Committee on Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

1. Removes the provision that the Commission cannot adopt rules that restrict the use of dogs to take wildlife.

2. Clarifies that a person can take small game, predators', fur-bearing animals, bears and mountain lions with the aid of dogs as outlined.

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6. HB 2552

7. Initials BSR Page 0 Caucus & COW

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