Connecticut trappers emerge victorious (10/30/2001)

Connecticut-

Members of the Connecticut legislature have approved a proposal from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that will provide ample opportunities for sportsmen to trap on state owned lands and prevent animal rights activists from denying sportsmen of access.

At a meeting of the Legislature’s Regulations Review Committee, a vote was taken on a DEP regulation to give the commissioner exclusive rights to grant trapping permits on state owned land. The proposal eliminates the competitive bid requirement; a method of allocation that allowed well-funded animal rights supporters to hoard thousands of acres of trapping lands when they outbid sportsmen.

The new regulation will establish a fee of $60 per unit to anyone who wishes to use state trapping lands. Sportsmen who are at least 16 years old, possess a valid trapper’s license, have completed a trapper education course and have not been convicted on violating trapping regulations may purchase a permit.

Ed Parker, DEP’s director of natural resources, has worked very hard to advocate this regulation change.

“The new regulations enable our department to carry out the state’s statute, which allows trappers to trap on state owned land,” said Parker. “The policy provides equal opportunities to all interested parties, and people opposed to trapping can no longer stop sportsmen from trapping.”

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