Nebraska Trappers Win, Connecticut and Maryland Trappers Face a Fight
United States – -(AmmoLand.com)- The USSA has been closely monitoring a series of bills around the country that will directly impact trappers. In Nebraska trappers won a battle, while they face a fight in Connecticut and Maryland.
In Nebraska, Legislative Bill 5, introduced by Senator Mark Christensen (R-Imperial) has been cleared by the legislature signed by Governor Dave Heineman late last week. This bill will allow Nebraska trappers to resume trapping on county road right-of-ways.
LB 5 largely reverses alterations made by the legislature in 2007 that prohibited trapping in county road right-of-ways after animal rights activists cried foul about a an illegally set trap.
Nebraska sportsmen, the USSA, and Fur Takers of America all supported LB 5.
Meanwhile, lobbying by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has yielded a bill to ban trapping in Connecticut. Senate Bill 994, introduced by the Environment Committee, is a response to an illegally set trap that snared a great-horned owl.
Despite the fact that this is an isolated incident that violated existing restrictions on how to trap, the HSUS drummed up enough support to get the bill introduced and to get it heard at a committee meeting on March 9.
The USSA and its partners have issued action alerts in Connecticut and are continuing to monitor the bill’s progress.
Finally, trappers in Montgomery County Maryland are also facing a struggle.
The legislative delegation from Montgomery County has introduced a bill that would allow only Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel to use traps in the county.
HB 831 outlaws trapping by private citizens and prevents trappers from using effective and humane trapping tools.
The bill has been referred to the House Environmental Matters Committee, though it has yet to receive a hearing.
Connecticut and Maryland Sportsmen should contact their state legislators and tell them oppose these bills. Make sure to explain how these bills will devastate the state’s ability to manage wildlife.
To find contact information for your state legislators, visit the Legislative Action Center.
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