Panel advances bill to let landowners take deer to reduce crop losses; conservation groups warn of privatization

The committee voted to return HB 21-47 with a do-pass recommendation after testimony from staff, Game and Fish, ranchers and conservation groups.

Staff described the bill as a way to allow the Arizona Game and Fish Department to issue a landowner permit for the taking of deer on private lands when the commission determines it is needed to reduce conflicts and provide hunting opportunities. The bill limits issuance so that landowner permits would not exceed 10 percent of the total number of deer tags issued through the lottery draw in a calendar year.

Sponsor testimony emphasized crop losses and a constituent’s experience in Saint David; Ed Sanchez (Game and Fish) explained population-management hunts had been used in the area and that multiple cycles with 40 permits had been issued. Opposition witnesses including Sandy Barham (Sierra Club) and various conservation groups warned granting landowner tags amounts to privatizing wildlife and could undermine public-trust management.

Committee members discussed safeguards such as preventing sale of permits and the department’s population-management tools; the measure was returned with a do-pass recommendation.