Representative Barbara Frush (D-Prince George’s) has withdrawn House Bill 377, a bill to ban trapping in Maryland. This bill would have also prohibited the Maryland Department of Natural Resources from using leghold traps for wildlife management purposes.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance sounded an alert to sportsmen about this legislation. Maryland sportsmen received e-mail and postcard alerts about this bill and took immediate action.

Tim Lambert, president of the Maryland Sportsmen’s Association credited the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance for making the difference.

"The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance postcards made the phones ring," said Lambert. "Representative Frush’s decision coincided with a flood of phone calls generated by its mailing."

The withdrawal of this legislation was a team effort by Maryland sportsmen.

"The decision to withdraw this anti-trapping legislation is the result of the efforts of several groups including Maryland Sportsmen’s Association, Maryland Trappers Association, Fur Takers of America, the National Trappers Association and more," said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance manager of government affairs. "We are very pleased to have helped make this possible."