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Consideration and Possible Adoption Resolution No. 2019-10: A resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Flagstaff, Arizona opposing Competitive Predator Hunt in Flagstaff, Arizona and Coconino County. |
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Ms. Goodrich presented a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
COMPETITIVE PREDATOR HUNT RESOLUTION
02-19-19 OUTLINE
OVERVIEW
ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT
SIMILAR COMPETITIONS/RESOLUTIONS
Mayor Evans stated that back in 1999 Game and Fish decided to disallow these types of hunts and it went to the Governor’s office for signature, but it was never signed into law. The issue has never come back up for consideration at the state level.
Councilmember Odegaard asked if the proposed Resolution is binding. Ms. Goodrich explained that the City does not have any ability to regulate Game and Fish or hunting regulations outside city limits. There are laws in place that address these kinds of activities within the city, the resolution would be a statement to the community.
The following individuals addressed Council regarding wildlife killing contests:
- Matt Francis
- Betsy Klein
- Cody Lee Bradshaw
- Gaylene Soper
- Tina Meredith
- Ruthanne Penn
- Betsy Klein
- Vincent Jones
- David Lash
- Mike Street
- Annette Sunda
- Douglas Whitehead
- Nathan Renn
- Emily Renn
- Jean Myers
- Alicyn Gitlin
- Rusty Personett
- Jim Parks
The following comments were received:
- Predators have a valid role in the balance of the eco-system.
- These contests are not about ranchers protecting their livestock.
- The indiscriminate killing of predators has no benefit.
- If predators are left alone, they will self-regulate.
- There are multiple contests in Arizona and the Game and Fish Department does not currently regulate them.
- There is legislation pending in six other states to ban wildlife killing contests.
- Hunters are the largest group of wildlife conservationists.
- The Council’s time is better suited with leaving these issues to the professionals at the Game and Fish Department.
- The competitions raise money for non-profit and veteran organizations.
- Flagstaff is a Golden Rule City and slaughtering animals is not something it should be associated with.
- Tucson and Dewey-Humboldt have made statements against wildlife killing competitions.
- These competitions are wasteful and unnecessary, they are not going to save deer and livestock.
- If someone owns livestock and there is a problem coyote they deal with the single coyote, not all of them.
- Removing coyotes from one area creates over population in others.
- Please sign a resolution saying this behavior is wrong and it is not wanted anywhere in Arizona.
- Killing is not hunting, contestants do not eat the predators they kill.
- This is not population control.
- Activities such as these promote the thrill of the kill.
- Just because money is given to charity does not mean that the means of obtaining the money is noble.
- Wildlife killing contests are archaic.
- Contests like this should not be part of any progressive community.
- These contests put Mexican grey wolves at risk because they appear similar to coyotes.
- These contests are not the bloodbath they are being portrayed as.
- Please vote in opposition to the resolution.
- This agenda is being pushed by people outside of the City, the Council vote needs to reflect the position of those who elected you.
- Flagstaff has the opportunity to send a strong message to the state.
- Ranchers have many non-lethal tools at their disposal.
- Passing this resolution will send an ethical message to the Game and Fish Department that these types of activities need to be regulated.
- Wildlife is for everyone to enjoy.
- Killing animals is cruel and teaches children that violence and cruelty are fun.
- Hunting is a part of life but these are killing contests which makes the participants killers.
- Participants in the contests must abide by all Game and Fish Department laws and regulations which includes being properly licensed.
- These are not slaughters and there are not hundreds of animals being killed; at the last competition there were 32 two-man teams and seven animals came in for check in.
- The Game and Fish Department has the oversight to manage the wildlife population and should they come forward to regulate with permits or a moratorium then that would be respected.
- The main reason that the coyote callers are doing what they are doing is for the preservation and furtherment of antelope populations.
- The Game and Fish Department is beginning to look at making rules for the coyote calling contests.
Written comments in support of the resolution were submitted by the following:
- Joseph Shannon
- Emma Benenati
- Kay Bordwell
- Tyler Jones Wilson
- Diane Weinberg
- Deborah Sellers
- Deborah DeWolfe
Written comments in opposition of the resolution were submitted by the following:
- Kody Kelley
- Toni Seff
- Jason Manuell
- Jared McGraw
- Jeremy Street
- Laura Kelley
- Kim Horn
- Matthew Horn
- Julie Street
- James Herre
- Dave Pierce Jr.
- Dave Pierce
- Josh Brooks
- JR Flebotte
Councilmember Odegaard stated that he is not supportive of the Council participating in non-binding resolutions. He understands the passion behind the issue but it is outside of the jurisdiction of the City.
Councilmember Aslan stated that he agrees that hunters are important as a conservation group but there is no need to manage the predator population. This is a moral issue not a scientific one. He believes that a resolution has the potential to drive policy for the Game and Fish Department, the more communities sign on to similar resolutions it will strengthen their voices on the issue. |
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Moved by Councilmember Austin Aslan, seconded by Councilmember Jim McCarthy to read Resolution No. 2019-10 by title only.
Councilmember McCarthy added that while he is not an expert on wildlife management he does support the resolution.
Vice Mayor Shimoni indicated that influencing change can be difficult, he is hopeful that the resolution will encourage Game and Fish to take action on the issue.
Councilmember Salas stated that it is a very emotional issue and the Game and Fish Department is getting into the process of rulemaking for this type of hunting. The resolution is non-binding and she would defer any decision until rules have been established by Game and Fish. There is no hunting allowed at all within City limits.
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Vote: 5 - 2 |
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NAY:
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Councilmember Charlie Odegaard
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Councilmember Regina Salas
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A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA, OPPOSING COMPETITIVE PREDATOR HUNTS IN FLAGSTAFF, AZ AND COCONINO COUNTY |
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Moved by Councilmember Austin Aslan, seconded by Councilmember Jim McCarthy to adopt Resolution No. 2019-10.
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Vote: 5 - 2 |
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NAY:
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Councilmember Charlie Odegaard
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Councilmember Regina Salas
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