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It seems that Commissioner Husted has been down the prairie dog road before, but on the other side of the table. In May, 2010, Mr. Husted voted to suspend a hunter's license for 5 years for shooting a prairie dog out of season. The vote was unanimous, and the hunter was suspended for 5 years. Gee, I kind of wonder about Mr. Husted's quote: "I think it's a little heavy-handed," he said. "Rather than being rewarded (for self-reporting), I was disciplined. I'm looking forward to my day in court." Maybe since he self reported, it is OK?? I also wonder why, "Paxon said there is no risk that Husted could lose his hunting license or his position on the commission." http://www.azcentral.com/news/politics/articles/2012/08/09/20120809game-fish-commissioner-cited-hunting-violation.html#ixzz23eSeqOdt Anyway, here are the deatails of Mr. Husted's vote: http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/meeting_minutes.shtml , click on May 14 & 15, 2010 Terry L. Metteer May 14, 2010 Docket # 2010-0028 Metteer was found guilty by the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court for: Count A: Take Wildlife Closed Season (Black Tail Prairie Dog); and sentenced Count A: Restitution paid to AGFD $175.00. The Commission discussed with Mr. Elms how the assessment amount was arrived at. It was difficult to determine since it includes years of planning and preparation, but it was certainly a larger amount than what was being assessed. Case Officer Tilton was present and answered questions for the Commission, including that the shooting distance was about 75 yards and that the area was not very well signed. She also stated that Mr. Metteer entered the area from the north and there was no signage, as the landowner removed the sign. Metteer was present and addressed the Commission stating that he was shooting at a coyote and did not intentionally shoot the Prairie dog. License Rev/Civil Assessment - 3 - May 14, 2010 Motion: Martin moved and Freeman seconded THAT THE LICENSE(S) AND/OR LICENSES PRIVILEGES OF TERRY L. METTEER TO HUNT, FISH, AND TRAP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA BE REVOKED AND HE BE DENIED ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS; Commissioner Husted explained his vote stating that if Mr. Metteer had said he didn’t know he wasn’t supposed to shoot the prairie dog, he would vote differently. But he can’t believe, at 75 yards, a man with a scoped rifle can make a mistake between a prairie dog and a running coyote. The prairie dog was standing looking at the shooter. The prairie dog area should be signed better so that people know it is there, but his vote is not because of the prairie dog’s endangered status.