Senate Bill 5831, a measure that would have lifted a voter-approved trapping ban in Washington, advanced through the state Senate but was stalled and will not proceed through the House of Representatives.

During the 2000 general election, out-of-state animal rights groups set their sites on ending trapping in Washington. Unfortunately, a majority of the voters listened to the emotional rhetoric of the anti’s and voted in favor of the ban. Now, damage caused by unchecked populations of moles, coyotes and other animals plague the state.

Sportsmen are looking forward to a possible repeal of the ban during the next legislative session. In 2003, the trapping ban will be in its third year and a simple majority of lawmakers will be able to repeal it instead of the two-thirds that was required this year.