Pro-Trapping petition to the state government. Sign here!

[Wahotaho]

Yes even padded conibears.

[Wahotaho]

This petition requests that part of Initiative 713 be amended and that the Washington state government legalize trapping during the general trapping season with padded body gripping traps for the good of our state.

So yes, even padded conibears.lol 

[Humptulips]

Actually the bill we have been working on takes a different tac then your petition.

I honestly think the chances of the petition being effective are nil.
Here is the core of what we  are trying to get:

 (3) It is unlawful to use or authorize the use of any steel-jawed leghold trap or any other body-gripping trap to capture any animal, except as provided in subsections (4), (5) and (6) of this section.

(4) Nothing in this section prohibits the use of any body-gripping trap that meets the standards set forth in the Best Management Practices (BMPs)for Trapping as set forth by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies or the standards set forth by The Canadian Wildlife Directors, Competent Authorities for implementation of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHT by anyone that has completed a course in safe, humane and proper trapping as set forth in    RCW77.65.460

{There are currently traps certified through scientific testing to be humane and effective for the following animals that live in WA: Badger; Marten; Beaver; Bobcat; Coyote; Fisher; Mink; Muskrat; Nutria; Opossum; Raccoon; Red Fox; River Otter; Striped Skunk; Weasel and Wolf. These are the only animals that this section would apply to.}
To see  what traps are approved and for what specie go to: http://jjcdev.com/~fishwild/?section=best_management_practices     
 and
 http://www.fur.ca/files/trap%20list/certified_traps_Oct18_E.pdf 

(5)Nothing in this section prohibits The Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission from approving for use, specific body gripping traps for mammals that there has been no scientific testing for humane and effective traps, provided that the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended such traps for a specific species of mammal that is causing or has the potential to cause an animal problem.

{This section allows the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission (WSF&WC) to  approve traps for use for animals not mentioned below Section 4. This would include but not limited to such animals as Moles; Gophers and Mountain Beavers. This section would not allow the approval of traps other then those listed in the BMPs and AIHTs for listed species in the BMPs and AIHTs.)

[dayn]

Bruce, how do we go about helping to push this bill, or is it still in the development stage? thanks in advance.

[onetrapper]

For any of you that voted for or have Van de Wege as your rep you need to know he is one of our worst enemies in State Gov.  He represents a rural community and has an A rating with the NRA(probably because he has not had to vote on any matters related to guns and just filled out their questionaire correctly).  Anyway, I hope I'm not speaking out of line, but I have heard from several guys on our side that he has been a problem in us getting the initiative overturned or even getting a hearing on our.

[dayn]

Hey onetrapper, nice to see you on here (Brandon, from Garrison auctioneers)

I talked with You at the preview of the elma auction.

Day of the auction, I noticed there was a pu with a couple of beaver in the back, never got to find out who it was, thought maybe You, it was out of season so figured it was ADC work.

[Humptulips]

Bruce, how do we go about helping to push this bill, or is it still in the development stage? thanks in advance.

It is still in the development stage. When it is introduced you will hear more.

[dayn]

Thanks Bruce, let Us all know how We can all help when it comes to fruition....

[bearpaw]

I would like to know when this is introduced as well!

[Wahotaho]

Actually the bill we have been working on takes a different tac then your petition.

I honestly think the chances of the petition being effective are nil.
Here is the core of what we  are trying to get:

 (3) It is unlawful to use or authorize the use of any steel-jawed leghold trap or any other body-gripping trap to capture any animal, except as provided in subsections (4), (5) and (6) of this section.

(4) Nothing in this section prohibits the use of any body-gripping trap that meets the standards set forth in the Best Management Practices (BMPs)for Trapping as set forth by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies or the standards set forth by The Canadian Wildlife Directors, Competent Authorities for implementation of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHT by anyone that has completed a course in safe, humane and proper trapping as set forth in    RCW77.65.460

{There are currently traps certified through scientific testing to be humane and effective for the following animals that live in WA: Badger; Marten; Beaver; Bobcat; Coyote; Fisher; Mink; Muskrat; Nutria; Opossum; Raccoon; Red Fox; River Otter; Striped Skunk; Weasel and Wolf. These are the only animals that this section would apply to.}
To see  what traps are approved and for what specie go to: http://jjcdev.com/~fishwild/?section=best_management_practices     
 and
 http://www.fur.ca/files/trap%20list/certified_traps_Oct18_E.pdf 

(5)Nothing in this section prohibits The Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission from approving for use, specific body gripping traps for mammals that there has been no scientific testing for humane and effective traps, provided that the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended such traps for a specific species of mammal that is causing or has the potential to cause an animal problem.

{This section allows the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission (WSF&WC) to  approve traps for use for animals not mentioned below Section 4. This would include but not limited to such animals as Moles; Gophers and Mountain Beavers. This section would not allow the approval of traps other then those listed in the BMPs and AIHTs for listed species in the BMPs and AIHTs.)

Sorry my computer is way too slow for those links.  What traps are more effective the leg-hold traps?

[SunnySlopes]

I will not sign this petition as there are several inaccuracies in the introduction that I will not stand behind. Also, even though probably well meaning, the tact of this petition is half baked and poorly thought out.
If you want to support trapping, unite behind the WSTA's approach.

[Humptulips]

Actually the bill we have been working on takes a different tac then your petition.

I honestly think the chances of the petition being effective are nil.
Here is the core of what we  are trying to get:

 (3) It is unlawful to use or authorize the use of any steel-jawed leghold trap or any other body-gripping trap to capture any animal, except as provided in subsections (4), (5) and (6) of this section.

(4) Nothing in this section prohibits the use of any body-gripping trap that meets the standards set forth in the Best Management Practices (BMPs)for Trapping as set forth by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies or the standards set forth by The Canadian Wildlife Directors, Competent Authorities for implementation of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHT by anyone that has completed a course in safe, humane and proper trapping as set forth in    RCW77.65.460

{There are currently traps certified through scientific testing to be humane and effective for the following animals that live in WA: Badger; Marten; Beaver; Bobcat; Coyote; Fisher; Mink; Muskrat; Nutria; Opossum; Raccoon; Red Fox; River Otter; Striped Skunk; Weasel and Wolf. These are the only animals that this section would apply to.}
To see  what traps are approved and for what specie go to: http://jjcdev.com/~fishwild/?section=best_management_practices     
 and
 http://www.fur.ca/files/trap%20list/certified_traps_Oct18_E.pdf 

(5)Nothing in this section prohibits The Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission from approving for use, specific body gripping traps for mammals that there has been no scientific testing for humane and effective traps, provided that the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended such traps for a specific species of mammal that is causing or has the potential to cause an animal problem.

{This section allows the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission (WSF&WC) to  approve traps for use for animals not mentioned below Section 4. This would include but not limited to such animals as Moles; Gophers and Mountain Beavers. This section would not allow the approval of traps other then those listed in the BMPs and AIHTs for listed species in the BMPs and AIHTs.)

Sorry my computer is way too slow for those links.  What traps are more effective the leg-hold traps?

I really do not want to go into the entire history of Best Management Practises but I'll give you the short version. In 1997 the US signed an agreement of understanding with the EU to do testing to determine the most humane and effective traps for each species trapped in the US. For the last 15 years testing has been going on. Different traps were tested for each species. We were doing it here in WA prior to I-713. Testing is still ongoing but BMPs have been published for many species. As a for instance western coyote BMPs have been out for quite a while. Many brands of traps meet the guidlines or may be modified to meet the guidlines. Most are foothold traps but they have to meet the guidlines to be legal to use under the wording of our proposal. I believe most any #3 would be legal for coyotes but depending on brand it may have to be modified with such things as jaw laminations and center swiveling
The Canadians signed a seperate but similar agreement  and have their own list of aproved traps.