We need calls and emails to AZ Governor Brewer's office to ask her to veto a bill already on her desk. This bill could harm Mexican wolves and all wildlife in Arizona by putting special interests in control of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Please contact Governor Brewer right away! 
“With the passing of Senate Bill 1200, the Arizona Legislature turned wildlife management back to the 1950s, where the attitude was, ‘If you cannot shoot it, it is not worth having.’ “-Arizona Wildlife Biologist
Despite widespread opposition, SB 1200 (NOW: game and fish commission; recommendation board) passed out of the House on Thursday 36-19-5 and is on its way to the Governor.
What you can do
Please contact Governor Brewer IMMEDIATELY and ask her to veto this destructive bill.
You can contact Governor Brewer by calling her at (602) 542-4331 or toll free at 1-(800) 253-0883. You can email her by clicking on Governor Brewer and then filling in the online form. You can also paste this website into your browser http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp. Please send a copy of your email to smyers@az.gov , psenseman@az.gov and ssmith@az.gov
About SB 1200
How will SB 1200 harm animals?
SB 1200 would enable an elite group of trophy hunters and ranchers to take control of Arizona’s wildlife by hijacking the Arizona Game & Fish Commission appointment process,
It takes the governor’s power to appoint commissioners and puts it in hands of special interest hunters and ranchers who comprise less than 1 % of Arizona’s population
It is based on misrepresentations of the Game & Fish budget, and how much hunters actually contribute.
It is based on misrepresentation of participation of these trophy hunters in the appointment process in the past. They have participated, and have had their choices selected the majority of the time.
It excludes almost all Arizonans from the Game & Fish Commission appointment process.
The Game & Fish Commission and Department have many programs that greatly benefit wildlife and habitat such as the reintroduction of black-tailed prairie dogs that were once completely wiped out in Arizona; and habitat protection and mapping projects through the State Wildlife Action Plan. In the last five years they have adopted policies to better understand and protect mountain lions. If SB 1200 is signed into law by Governor Brewer all that could change. Please contact the Governor ASAP and ask her to veto SB 1200!
Who’s behind SB 1200?
This is the same group that was behind the referendum in 2000 which would have required a two-thirds majority to pass any wildlife-related initiative. Wildlife advocates defeated the measure despite being outspent 7-1. Unfortunately we won’t have same chance to defeat SB 1200, which is why it’s so important for you to ask the governor to veto the bill. Because this is a statutory change, it will not automatically go to voters as constitutional amendments do.
Who opposes SB 1200?
SB 1200 is opposed by consumptive and non-consumptive members of the wildlife community including the Arizona Game & Fish Commission, Animal Defense League of Arizona, Sierra Club, Arizona Audubon Society, Arizona Wildlife Federation, Arizona Republic Editorial Board, and many other groups and individuals including former Game & Fish Commissioners and wildlife biologists. Click here to read the Arizona Republic editorial opposing this bill. Game & Fish Commissioner Norm Freeman debated SB 1200 against bill supporters on the PBS Horizon show. View broadcast here.
For a list of legislators that opposed this bill, click here. If your legislators voted NO, please thank them. Special thanks to Representatives Chad Campbell, Jones, Sinema, Patterson, and Young Wright for speaking out against the bill on the floor. Click here to view video of final House vote on SB 1200.
SB 1200 is a blatant power grab by extremist groups to control Arizona’s wildlife, which is owned by the state in public trust for ALL citizens. Call TODAY and ask Gov. Brewer to veto SB 1200!
Please cross-post and forward to your contacts in Arizona.
Thanks for your help!
This action alert was posted by the Animal Defense League of Arizona
