Arizona Sportsmen and women really need to have a look at this Proposition. Admittedly, I was a bit confused when it first came out, myself. Based on the comments I am hearing from some hunters and fishermen, there is still some misinformation out there. Sportsmen need to educate themselves and then vote accordingly. ~DesertRat
The Arizona Elk Society and many other groups that are supporting a yes vote on Proposition 109 are working very hard to get the truth about why 109 is good for Arizona.
The opposition has done a great job of spreading misinformation and we need your help to get the true message out.
What is Proposition 109 and Why is it Necessary?
Prop 109 was referred to the ballot by the Arizona Legislature. It is a proposed constitutional amendment that will provide Arizonans protection for the right to hunt and fish now and for future generations. This amendment to the Arizona State Constitution is an action to do what our forefathers never thought would be necessary. Protect the right to hunt and fish. Hunting and fishing was a means of survival in the early southwest. Today, with the changes in our society, hunting has become more of a recreational pursuit, although many that hunt and fish do so for the enjoyment of the food they put on the table. While our forefathers protected our right to bear arms, it never occurred to them that the heritage of hunting and fishing would ever be challenged.
Over the past few decades there have been more and more attempts by animal rights activists to impose restrictions on the ability to hunt and fish. In 1992 animal rights activists placed an initiative on the Arizona ballot that would have banned hunting and trapping. Voters rejected that attempt. In 1994, a modified version of the 1992 initiative was place before voters, and they were successful in prohibiting the ability to use trapping on public lands thereby eliminating an important and proven tool for wildlife management. Unfortunately they played on the emotions of voters, rather than telling the true stories behind the sciences of trapping and the benefits they hold for all wildlife species. Other initiatives to restrict the ability to hunt and fish have been attempted elsewhere, like the California initiative that removed all mountain lion hunting to the detriment of other wildlife. These same types of actions could be brought to bear on the state of Arizona. If they are unsuccessful at the ballot box, then they’ll begin playing this out in the courts, ultimately tying the hands of wildlife management agencies at both the state and federal levels. This constitutional amendment will go a long ways in seeing that this can’t take place here.
Many people in the state of Arizona simply do not know that it is hunters and fishermen that provide the majority of funding for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, including their wildlife management and fisheries management. Through hunting and fishing licenses money is generated to support most on-the-ground projects to improve fish and wildlife habitat. In addition, more money is raised at the federal level by purchases of hunting and fishing supplies. This money is then turned around to the state to support additional projects, including research, habitat purchases, land protections and many other activities. Without hunting and fishing, and the money that those participating raise, most of the wildlife you see today would be non-existent. Sportsmen are the true conservationists putting their money and time into making sure that everyone in this state has the opportunity to always see wildlife and share in the great outdoor experiences that come along with it. If we lose hunting and fishing the outdoors as we know it will be seriously compromised.
Please check out these websites and read up on the point/counterpoints about the issue. There is a lot of information about the Proposition, including dispelling the idea that it is a Legislature Power Grab, and much more.
Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife
Right now we need help to get the truth out to the public and raise funds to support the Commissioners Yes on 109 campaign.
We also need help distributing yard signs throughout Maricopa County.
Thank You.
