Massachusetts Works to Amend Trap Ban

Animal rights groups are “all up in a tizzy” over the recent work of the Massachusetts legislature to make a minor change to the ballot initiative passed by voters over a decade ago that banned trapping in the state.  Based on the rhetoric, you’d think the legislature were trying to overturn the ban and re-instate legalized trapping in the state.  If only.

The change would simply make it easier for landowners with animal damage problems to jump through the hoops placed on them by their local health department.  Here’s some of the bill language:

If no response is provided by the municipal board of health within 10 calendar days or the application is denied, the applicant or his duly authorized agent may transfer the application for the emergency permit to the director.  If the director determines that such a threat exists, it shall immediately issue the emergency permit to alleviate the existing threat to human health and safety, for a period not exceeding 10 days.

If said threat to human health and safety has not been alleviated within said ten days, the applicant or his duly authorized agent shall apply to the granting authority for an extension permit to continue the use of alleviation techniques, specified in this section, for a period not exceeding 30 days. If the granting authority determines that such a threat to human health or safety exists, as defined in this section, the authority shall immediately issue an extension permit.

Essentially, the changes give the landowner a bit more leverage when trying to get a permit from the government to deal with animal damage (mostly beaver) problems.

I don’t have the original bill language, but I believe the original version (described in Marc Folco’s column) was watered down quite a bit after going through multiple readings and being sent back from liberal governor Devall Patrick’s desk with amendments.

Even though I and many others would love to see the trap ban reversed in Massachusetts, this bill seems like a common sense patch to help those dealing with animal damage problems get through the red tape caused by excess government regulation.

Read the full text of the bill here.

Alaska Could Legalize Bear Trapping

Alaska Fish and Game Photo

The Alaska Board of Game is set to vote on a proposal to legalize the trapping and snaring of bears for the first time in the state’s history.  The proposal has some animal rights groups angry, but is supported by sportsmen and most residents in the affected areas.

……the head of Alaska’s largest sportsmen’s group said Friday the agency’s proposal to allow bear trapping is an attempt to give the public more hunting opportunities while building on the state’s aerial predator control program in which wolves and bears are killed to boost moose and caribou numbers.

“I think it is all in the same direction in trying to do proactive predator and prey management,” said Rod Arno, executive director of the Alaska Outdoor Council, when asked about agenda items added to a special meeting beginning next week in Anchorage. The meeting will be open to the public.

The proposal wouldn’t impact the entire state, only places where special seasons were set by the Board.

“This change will legalize public trapping of black bears in areas where the board establishes bear trapping seasons,” said Fish and Game Deputy Commissioner Pat Valkenburg.

While the plan targets black bears, some brown bears, also known as grizzlies, are expected to be trapped incidentally. Under the proposal, trapping may be closed by emergency order when unspecified numbers are reached.

Alaska would be the only state other than Maine to currently allow bear trapping.  In the state of Maine, trapping bears using cable foot snares is legal, but using steel foothold traps was outlawed several years ago in an attempt to appease animal rights activists in the state and beyond.

The proposal sounds like a good one, providing additional opportunity for Alaskans to manage their black bear population while adding recreational and economic opportunity to the area.  In a world where we seem to be losing more and more hunting and trapping opportunities every day, Alaska seems to be bucking the trend.  Hopefully it works.

Read the full story here.

UPDATE:  On October 14, 2010, Alaska Public Radio Network reported that the Board of Game has put the decision to legalize black bear trapping in some units on hold until 2012 to allow more time for public comment.

The state’s game board has put a decision on black bear snaring on hold until 2012.   The proposal before the board’s special meeting in Anchorage would have allowed for black bear trapping with snares in six Interior game management units.

Fish and Game officials had asked the board to defer the decision until the board of game meets in Ketchikan later this year to give the public time to weigh in on the issue. The Board agreed to that plan.  The next board meeting on Southcentral issues takes place in March of next year.

Raccoons: A Growing Problem in Growing Cities

As cities and towns expand, many are noticing the expansion of wild animals in the urban/outdoors interface.  A great example of this is in the town of Bozeman, Montana, a growing area with a growing raccoon problem.  A recent Bozeman Daily Chronicle article highlights the raccoon issue with input from two local animal damage control trappers who deal with raccoons regularly.

Raccoons: They’re on the rise in the valley, animal services workers like Stoner say, wreaking havoc on gardens, chicken coops and homes across Bozeman.

The rise of the raccoon has been a gradual one, said Phil Hettinger with TC 1 Wildlife in Bozeman. He had to think back 40 years to remember a time when one never saw the creature in the Gallatin Valley.

But the recent building boom had a way of accelerating the raccoon’s expansion.

Read the full story here.

Change in Trapping Permits for Ohio Public Lands

Controlled Trapping Opportunities for Beaver and River Otter on Publicly Managed Lands

On-line application period will be open from September 15 to October 15

COLUMBUS, OH – Beaver and river otter trapping on public land will still require a special permit, but the method of acquiring the permit and permission to trap a particular public land area for beaver and river otters has changed, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

For the 2010-11 trapping season, controlled beaver and/or river otter trapping opportunities on 73 wildlife areas, state parks and other publicly managed lands statewide will be awarded through a new system of computer-generated random drawings, similar to the system used currently for controlled waterfowl and deer hunts in Ohio.

The application period will be September 15 through October 15. Applications will be accepted online only; there is a $3 charge associated with applying for each public land area or group of areas as will be noted on the application form.  In most areas, permits will allow beaver and river otter trapping (in counties currently open to otter trapping); however, some permits may be limited to beaver trapping only.

Drawing results will be available in late October at wildohio.com, with permits and instructions being mailed in November to successful applicants. All controlled trapping permits will be transferable; they will be issued to an adult trapper with instructions for use of the permit on a particular public land area.

This revised system for awarding controlled beaver and/or river otter trapping opportunities on select public lands in Ohio will allow area managers to set specific limits and restrictions based on the trapping opportunities and needs for their areas.

“Our mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, while promoting their use and appreciation by the public,” said Suzie Prange, furbearer biologist for the Division of Wildlife. “We feel providing fewer trapping restrictions, where warranted, will allow us to better manage beaver populations and provide a more fair system for all trappers with an interest in these recreational opportunities.”

For the wildlife refuge portions of Killbuck Marsh and Mosquito Creek wildlife areas, the current system will not change – they are not part of the online lottery system – instead, sealed bids will be accepted in September for all furbearer trapping opportunities at these areas.

For official bid proposal forms and other information, contact the Division of Wildlife District 3 Office in early September at (330) 644-2293. Also, beaver trapping within American Electric Power’s recreation area, known as ReCreation Land, Avondale Wildlife Area, and Conesville Coal Lands will continue to require a special beaver trapping permit which is in addition to the normal user’s permit. This special beaver trapping permit is issued from the AEP Land Management office in McConnelsville, Ohio.

For more specific information, please visit wildohio.com or call your nearest Wildlife district office.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

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For more information, contact:
Suzie Prange, ODNR Division of Wildlife
740. 589. 9930
Gary Ludwig, ODNR Division of Wildlife, Central Ohio
614. 644. 3925
Scott Butterworth, ODNR Division of Wildlife, Northwest Ohio
419. 424. 5000
Dan Kramer, ODNR Division of Wildlife, Northeast Ohio
330. 644. 2293
Jim Hill, ODNR Division of Wildlife, Southeast Ohio
740. 589. 9930
Dave Kohler, ODNR Division of Wildlife, Southwest Ohio
937. 372. 9261