Arizona AG Supports Bison Management In Grand Canyon National Park

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued a letter supporting federal legislation that allows skilled sportsmen to aid in the management of bison herds in Grand Canyon National Park.

"This legislation is a sensible solution to address the impact of bison on the Grand Canyon's natural and cultural resources," Brnovich wrote in the letter. "Hunters were the first conservationists and hunting plays a valuable role in sustaining healthy wildlife populations."

Brnovich issued the letter to U.S. Sens. John McCain and Jake Flake, who sponsored S.782: Grand Canyon Bison Management Act. U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar sponsored companion legislation (H.R. 1443) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Grand Canyon Bison Management Act seeks to enlist hunters to help control a rapidly expanding bison population of 600. The animals have migrated into the Park from their range on the Kaibab National Forest and are trampling natural and cultural resources unencumbered.

In the letter, Brnovich supports the "sensible solution" of allowing the State to exercise its trust responsibility to actively manage and conserve wildlife populations inside the park just as it does across Arizona's landscapes statewide.

"Hunting can play a valuable role in sustaining a healthy wildlife population," Brnovich said. "This legislation is a sensible solution to address the negative impact of this particular herd of bison on the Grand Canyon's precious natural and cultural resources. Harvesting bison in the national park will ultimately help achieve the desired objective of moving this herd safely back to the Kaibab National Forest."

H.R. 1443 is co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick, Kyrsten Sinema, Matt Salmon, David Schweikert and Trent Franks.