Post by Decatur on May 16, 2009 9:34:13 GMT -5
Anti-trapping Efforts in Connecticut Fail
Connecticut trappers faced the fight of their lives during this year’s legislative session but it looks as though trappers may finally be able to take a deep breath for now.
An aggressive lobbying effort by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), led to the introduction of Senate Bill 994 by the joint Environment Committee. That bill would have banned nearly all trapping including use of foothold and body gripping traps. These are the most effective trapping devices utilized and supported by nearly all state wildlife agencies.
The committee, made up of both members of the House of Representatives and the Senate voted in favor of the bill on March 13, causing much alarm among Connecticut trappers and the trapping community nationwide.
However, thanks to a major groundswell of opposition from trapping groups including the Connecticut Trappers Association, the Connecticut Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators Association, Fur Takers of America, Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen, National Trappers Association and more, the bill died in Senate Judiciary Committee.
Despite the failure of SB 994, Connecticut trappers are not out of the woods yet.
There is still the opportunity for the proponents of the trapping ban to try to sneak the measure into another bill, before the legislature adjourns next month.
Connecticut sportsmen and trappers must remain vigilant to prevent this from happening. Additionally, it’s expected that if the anti’s aren’t successful before the 2009 session ends that SB 994 will simply be introduced again in a new form next year.
Connecticut trappers faced the fight of their lives during this year’s legislative session but it looks as though trappers may finally be able to take a deep breath for now.
An aggressive lobbying effort by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), led to the introduction of Senate Bill 994 by the joint Environment Committee. That bill would have banned nearly all trapping including use of foothold and body gripping traps. These are the most effective trapping devices utilized and supported by nearly all state wildlife agencies.
The committee, made up of both members of the House of Representatives and the Senate voted in favor of the bill on March 13, causing much alarm among Connecticut trappers and the trapping community nationwide.
However, thanks to a major groundswell of opposition from trapping groups including the Connecticut Trappers Association, the Connecticut Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators Association, Fur Takers of America, Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen, National Trappers Association and more, the bill died in Senate Judiciary Committee.
Despite the failure of SB 994, Connecticut trappers are not out of the woods yet.
There is still the opportunity for the proponents of the trapping ban to try to sneak the measure into another bill, before the legislature adjourns next month.
Connecticut sportsmen and trappers must remain vigilant to prevent this from happening. Additionally, it’s expected that if the anti’s aren’t successful before the 2009 session ends that SB 994 will simply be introduced again in a new form next year.