$75K in civil fines issued for illegal hunting in Arizona last year
Jan 21, 2018, 2:24 PM
(Flickr/Torrey Wiley)
PHOENIX — Nearly one-third of the reports that were made to Arizona Game and Fish last year were related to poaching or big game hunting, according to the department.
Seventy-six citations were issued in relation to illegal hunting in 2017. Those citations amounted to nearly $75,000 in civil fines related to illegal hunting.
The other violations were related to fishing or feeding wildlife.
Scott Fisher with Arizona Game and Fish said while most hunters are ethical, these violations do happen.
“By and large, the hunting community is very ethical and does things right for the most part, but occasionally violations do occur,” Fisher said.
“The ones were most concerned about are the criminal violations that concern poaching.”
Fisher said hunters who suspect they have made a mistake should call Arizona Game and Fish to report themselves.
“We have a lot more leeway in our actions if somebody calls us to tell us that they made a mistake or violated one of the laws in the state.”
KTAR News’ Nailea Leon contributed to this report.