I just received this from NRA
JC
NTA Alert ~~
“Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act,”S. 1081, which was introduced on April 23, 2015 by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and assigned to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, would effectively ban all trapping within the National Wildlife Refuge System. This bill would ban the use of foothold, body-grip, and snare traps as well modified versions of these devices on System lands.
The legislation is deceptively titled and is devoid of any understanding regarding the current role trapping plays as a resource management tool and as a livelihood for thousands in our rural communities.
We need each of you to contact you Senator and ask that they oppose S.1081. Ask your spouse and friends to call also.
We need to send a clear message that trapping in North America is an important tool of professional wildlife managers. Regulated trapping is vital for wildlife damage management, wildlife research, the protection of endangered species and as a recreational opportunity for sustainable harvest of furbearer species. Trapping is also critical component of crop management and plays an important role in controlling invasive species and wildlife populations that have become over-abundant and therefore in conflict with local populations, both animal and human. Finally, trapping supports a significant component of the fur industry and therefore plays a vital role in the economy and lifestyle of rural dwellers across North America.
Ask your Senator to examine the facts as they considers issues that relate to trapping technology and wildlife management, and not to be swayed by false allegations of “cruelty” that are more rhetorical than factual.
Talking points….
This legislation does nothing to advance any true goals in regards to humane trapping. It merely ties the hands of wildlife resource managers.
S. 1081, by arbitrarily singling out certain traps using general terms that do not accurately reflect current science and disregard best practices or important wildlife management protocols
S.1081 ignores the fact that trapping has moved forward in the recent decade, making use of the most advanced technologies and research techniques.
States have the right to regulate their respective wildlife populations. State control is more practical because of the competency of the states residing with their respective DNRs; and the great diversity of habitats across the country, which require state-specific solutions to issues of wildlife management.
The Refuge Administration Act includes trapping and regulated take as management activities.
Trapping is an important management tool that the Fish and Wildlife Service uses to protect threatened and endangered species, such as piping plover and loggerhead sea turtles, protect migratory birds, and manage other wildlife populations.
Trapping programs help protect Service infrastructure investments, such as impoundment dikes used to manage wetlands for a myriad of migratory birds, wetland habitats, and rare plants.
Restricting trapping methods will result in expenditure of additional Wildlife Service resources, staff time, and taxpayer money.
The F&WS depends on state fish and wildlife agencies, and relies on their authority, expertise,
and assistance for help in meeting wildlife population objectives. This bill would restrict the Service’s ability to complement state trapping program regulations.
There is no other practical and effective method to control many predators and furbearers except with the aid of modern traps.
You can find contact information for your Senator at…
http://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/
