YouTube Video - The Lizard in the wrong place at the wrong time

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travels4fun

Member
Mar 28, 2015
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Arizona, United States
This video was shot while I was doing some 75 yard target shooting in the desert near my house in Phoenix Arizona. Out of nowhere, a lizard decided to get on top of the rock directly behind my target and the following video shows what ended up taking place.

WARNING: This video may not be suitable for all viewers as it shows a lizard being shot and killed. View at your own discretion.

 
Honestly, I have no idea. It was a last minute decision and didn't think about the legality of shooting it at the time. When I went to look for it around 10 minutes later, it was gone. Some other predator must have snapped it up for food before I got a change to make it over. I don't typically shoot animals of any kind and stick to paper but this was one of those rare moments where I succumbed to temptation.
 
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"ngapls"All native desert reptile species are protected federally. You killed a Desert Iguana which is definitely a protected species. Good Job Dude. Putting up a warning does not cut it. Remove the video, you broke the law.
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Your claim that "all native desert reptile species are protected federally" is unfounded and simply not true. I was unable to find any evidence to support your claim. If you can provide evidence to support this, please do so.

Secondly, the Desert Iguana Dipsosaurus dorsalis is neither a protected species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act nor is it classified as a “No Open Season” species under the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Furthermore, the Desert Iguana is currently classified as “Least Concern” or LC under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Unlike some states, Arizona does not classify protected species as being either threatened or endangered. Instead, those species that the Arizona Game and Fish Commission have determined to be in need of protection are simply classified as having No Open Season by an Arizona Game and Fish Commission administrative order. 

Arizona currently classifies 8 amphibians, 8 snakes, 2 lizards, and 2 turtles as having No Open Season. In addition, 4 taxa including 2 amphibians, 1 snake, and 1 turtle are classified as being endangered or threatened and are provided additional protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) (1973).

Arizona Game and Fish Commission regulations prohibit the taking of any species classified as having No Open Season without the issuance of a scientific collecting permit issued by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Amphibian and reptile species that are not classified as having No Open Season and that are not classified as either Threatened or Endangered by the ESA may be taken (or killed) subject to Arizona Game and Fish Commission regulations.

The only lizard species native to Arizona that are either protected under Federal (U.S. Endangered Species Act) or State (Arizona Game and Fish Commission) regulations are as follows:

Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Phrynosoma mcallii - Classified as a "No Open Season" species by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission
Gila Monster Heloderma suspectum - Classified as an Endangered Species under ESA and "No Open Season" species by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission

Here's a tip: The next time you accuse someone as violating a law, be sure to have your facts in order.
 
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As a child in the 70s I had several Desert Iguanas as pets, they were sold at just about every pet store. Unfortunately the pet trade decimated the wild populations of these very cool lizards. The commercial sale of Desert Iguanas was banned in the late 70s and they still may not be sold commercially today, in fact you'll find very few if any native Southwestern desert reptiles for sale commercially.
I am vey glad to see that the conservation efforts 40yrs ago have ensured a thriving wild population and I wouldn't have known this had I not watched the senseless killing of a plucky little lizard that was much more noble creature than you sir.
I stand corrected on my statement that desert reptiles federally protected.
 
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"ngapls"As a child in the 70s I had several Desert Iguanas as pets, they were sold at just about every pet store. Unfortunately the pet trade decimated the wild populations of these very cool lizards. The commercial sale of Desert Iguanas was banned in the late 70s and they still may not be sold commercially today, in fact you'll find very few if any native Southwestern desert reptiles for sale commercially.
I am vey glad to see that the conservation efforts 40yrs ago have ensured a thriving wild population and I wouldn't have known this had I not watched the senseless killing of a plucky little lizard that was much more noble creature than you sir.
I stand corrected on my statement that desert reptiles federally protected.


Well...... One thing is that the lizard that was shot was not preciselly a menace for mankind (agree) and another is that shooting it implies a crime according to the applicable Law! (apparently it is not a crime).......
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Thanks for sharing...I had a similar incident at a local gun range, with my high power rifle. After a week long hunt for mule deer and a need to check the zero on a 7mm mag, I went to the range and low and behold...a 22" 3 point appeared @ 325 yards behind the range, high on the foothill. The acting range master was on board and said, "Take the shot". By the time I set up and got out ammo, it had moved to about 450, pretty much a slam dunk from the bench. Well, long story short, boopsie goes down and we both got our asses in a sling, as they had to shut down that range while I retrieved the deer. Ohhh, these are the moments that define our youth. Another "Live and Learn" experience.
 
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"huntjunky"Thanks for sharing...I had a similar incident at a local gun range, with my high power rifle. After a week long hunt for mule deer and a need to check the zero on a 7mm mag, I went to the range and low and behold...a 22" 3 point appeared @ 325 yards behind the range, high on the foothill. The acting range master was on board and said, "Take the shot". By the time I set up and got out ammo, it had moved to about 450, pretty much a slam dunk from the bench. Well, long story short, boopsie goes down and we both got our asses in a sling, as they had to shut down that range while I retrieved the deer. Ohhh, these are the moments that define our youth. Another "Live and Learn" experience.
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Woah now that is a story!
 
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