New York bills threaten trapping (4/18/2003)

Two bills that would allow counties to ban trapping have been introduced in the New York legislature.

Assemblyman Alexander Grannis (D-New York) introduced Assembly Bill 480. It awaits action in the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee. Its companion bill, Senate Bill 2901, was sponsored by Senator Frank Padavan (R-Queens) and was referred to the Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation.

If the bills pass, the anti's will be able to focus on ending trapping in New York via local channels. The bills strip authority from state wildlife agency experts and pass wildlife management decision-making down to local politicians.

The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance has fought dozens of similar bills in New York and other states during its 25-year existence.

The precedent has been set and upheld in court that wildlife, which is owned by the people of the state, is to be managed by the state, not by local governments.

Take Action! New York sportsmen should contact their assemblymen and senators to voice opposition to AB 480 and SB 2901. If local governments are permitted to ban trapping, it won't be long until they restrict hunting and fishing, too. Legislators must learn that wildlife management professionals should make decisions regarding trapping. To contact assemblymen and senators, call (518) 455-4218.

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