ARIZONA'S LARGEST SANDHILL CRANE HUNT PROPOSED
by Rod Coronado/chuk'shon earth first! Monday, Jun. 20, 2005 at 2:16 PM
sabthebastards@hotmail.com 520.240.2490

The Arizona Game & Fish Department will meet this Saturday, June 25 in Payson to recieve public comment before approving the November 2005 sandhill crane hunt.

Last year, hunters killed 192 sandhill cranes as they wintered south of Willcox, Arizona. Since 1981, the Arizona Game & Fish Department has sanctioned a sport hunt for these migratory birds who travel from as far away as Siberia to Southern Arizona. Hunted in thirteen states along their migratory route the total kill for 2003-2004 was 35,706 sandhill cranes.

Now the AZGFD wants to expand the hunt to a total of 365 permits for a total allowable kill of 630 birds, the largest ever proposed kill in Arizona history. Arizona Earth First! (chuk'shon ef! & Phoenix EF!) is calling on bird watchers and other wildlife advocates to join us in Payson, Arizona on June 25 as the AZGFD's Commission votes to adopt the new sandhill crane hunt regulations.

Last November, Arizona Earth First! was in the killing fields of southern Arizona documenting the hunt and escorting sandhill cranes away from the hunter's guns.
Since then, AZEF! has attended and given public comment at AZGFD meetings regarding the sandhill crane hunt as well as tabling at this year's annual sandhill crane birding event, "Wings Over Willcox" which is sponsored by AZGFD. What is needed now to stop the hunt is Arizonans voice of opposition to the killing of a migratory bird that attracts thousands of bird watchers every year to Southern Arizona.

Carpools to the AZGFD Payson meeting will be leaving from Tucson and Phoenix Friday night. We will camp in the neighboring forest and have a campfire to discuss our strategy at the meeting which begins at 8:00am at the Best Western Inn, 801 N. Beeline Hwy, Payson, Az. For more information or ride info, call 520.240.2490.

add your comments