Arizona

At a Glance

Arizona Game and Fish Department5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix AZ 85086-5000 website Phone: 602-942-3000
Email The Honorable Jan Brewer Governor of Arizona 1700 West Washington Phoenix, Arizona 85007 Telephone (602) 542-4331Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883Fax (602) 542-1381Email

Lions were classified as a "predatory animal" by the territorial legislature and were subject to a statewide bounty of $50 dollars in 1919. This status continued until 1970 when the mountain lion was classified as a big-game animal and a tag was required to take one, even though ranchers and their agents could still take a depredating lion. A mandatory checkout procedure and other reporting requirements were instituted in 1982. Reporting information indicates that lion harvests have gradually increased over time. Recently, the annual harvest has ranged between 250 and 350 animals, of which 10 to 15 percent are taken by predator control agents.

As of July 2006, lion hunters are required to present their lion to the Arizona Game and Fish Department for inspection. In July 2007, the season was shortened from year long to being closed from May through August.

Letters to the state of Arizona

ACTION ALERT:
Please Voice Your Concern on the Proposed Cougar Hunt on
Arizona’s Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

Comments are needed by December 29th, 2006.

Send your letters to:
J. Paul Cornes, Manager
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
356 W. 1st Street
Yuma, Arizona 85364
Paul_Cornes@fws.gov
Phone: 928-783-7861
Fax: 928-783- 8611

The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Arizona plans to open the refuge to cougar hunting. The proposed cougar-hunting season would allow one cat to be taken per year from the refuge and adjacent lands.

BASESD IN SCIENCE?

The Arizona Game & Fish does not have accurate and consistent scientific information regarding cougar population and densities to demonstrate that there is a biological necessity for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to institute a sustainable hunt. “At this time, insufficient data exists to determine the sustainability of the hunt beyond the harvest of one lion annually. Continued population monitoring is required to determine if births or immigration are sufficient to replace any lions taken by hunters.”

WHAT IS A REFUGE?

The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is public land and one of the few places that cougars are protected from hunting. If wildlife is not safe on a refuge, where are they protected?

POLITICAL PRESSURE?

Much of the pressure to establish a hunt is coming from the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club, whose legislative chair is also the chairman of the Arizona Game & Fish Commission, which sets hunting regulations and policy for the state.

WHO PAYS?

If a hunt were to be implemented, the cost of this hunt, which is only one cougar, would be $24,000 annually. Funding for the Kofa Refuge ultimately come from federal taxes. That means you, the taxpayer, would be subsidizing the hunting of Americas’ Greatest Cat™ on our public lands.

YOUR LETTERS AND COMMENTS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
BY ALSO REQUESTING AN EXTENSION TO THE DECEMBER 29TH DEADLINE, YOU CAN HELP MORE VOICES BE HEARD. THROUGH PUBLIC INPUT WE ENABLE OUR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO MANGMENT WILDLIFE FOR THE BENEFIT OFALL.

Learn more about the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and the proposed
mountain lion hunting season at:
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa.html

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Seasons: The new Arizona Lion season runs from September through May.

Licenses/Tags: Arizona lion tags are over-the-counter or can be purchased by mail before you arrive. There is NO DRAW. Tag fee for non-residents: $225.00 and hunting license for non-residents is $151.25 ($376.25 Total).

Weapon Types can be archery, muzzleloader, centerfire rifle or centerfire handguns.

EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES

Safety Guidelines

Recreating & Living in Cougar Country

Understanding Mountain Lion Behavior