NYS Trappers Association is asking for your help

TRAPPERS REPORT ™

Conservation and Trapping News

NYS Trappers Association is asking for your help May 16, 2022 12:27 ET NTA Alert- All Members! Call to Action Once again NYS Trappers Association is asking for your help to contact the committee chairs to not entertain Bill numbers A3467 by L. Rosenthal and S4459 by Addabbo, this bill would ban all foot-hold traps in NYS. The other Bill, A703 by L. Rosenthal and S5439 by Brisport, this bill would ban all products made from fur. Normally these wouldn’t get much attention, but with today's political climate, anything goes. A3467 and S4459 is assigned to the Environmental Conservation Committee. Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair, Todd Kaminsky email, kaminsky@nysenate.gov Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair, Steven Englebright email, englebrights@nyassembly.gov A703 is assigned to the Economic Development Committee. Harry Bronson, bronsonh@nyassembly.gov S5439 is assigned to Consumer Protection Committee. Kevin Thomas, thomas@nysenate.gov Bellow is the letters I have sent to the committee members. MEMORANDUM TO OPPOSE A3467 (L. Rosenthal) S4459 (Addabbo) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law (ECL), in relation to prohibiting the use of leg-gripping traps (foot-hold traps). The New York State Trappers Association (NYSTA) has reviewed the proposed changes to the ECL and is in opposition to these changes. The use of foot hold traps is a necessary wildlife management tool that is supported by wildlife agencies and biologists throughout North America. According to the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, $40 million dollars have been invested in the development of Best Management Practices for trapping (BMPs). Since the inception of this program in 1997, over 600 trap types have been evaluated for 23 species of furbearers with a North American investment of some $40 million dollars. Foot hold traps have been used in efforts to protect ‘at risk’ animal species from predation during vulnerable life cycle periods. Sea turtles, nesting sea birds and ground nesting terrestrial birds are among those species benefited. Additionally, restoration of wildlife species to their former ranges continues to be possible with the use of foot hold traps. River Otter, Grey, Red and Mexican wolves have benefitted. Beaver is just one example of a successful restoration of a nearly extinct species. The information given to justify this bill is inaccurate. It is not based on fact. Box traps are not an appropriate substitute replacement for foot hold traps. Animals are not immobilized; they are restrained by a foot which allows the option of release of an unharmed animal. Trapping seasons are set to avoid the time when offspring are reared. The American Veterinary Medical Association supports the BMP trapping recommendations. The majority of trappers implement these standards in their trapping methods. Without wildlife population management, increased populations will lead to transmission of disease and starvation. Mange, distemper, rabies, canine parvo virus, tularemia, raccoon roundworm can all be transmitted to pets as well as humans, thereby introducing health risks to the general population. Further, increasing populations of coyote, raccoon and other species in suburban areas will increase human-wildlife conflict as has been amply reported throughout the US and Canada. Unmanaged wildlife populations have been shown to have detrimental and costly impacts on homeowners, farmers, and municipalities. Property damage, livestock predation and exposure to transmittable diseases are among those impacts. It is for the above reasons that the New York State Trappers Association opposes this legislation. Respectfully submitted, David Leibig Executive Director (607) 434-1906 Beavertrapper69@gmail.com">Beavertrapper69@gmail.com MEMORANDUM TO OPPOSE A703 S5439 Relates to prohibitions on fur products; prohibits the manufacture, sale, display for sale, trade, giving, donating, or otherwise distributing of a fur product by any means in the state beginning twenty-four moths after this act becomes law. The New York State Trappers Association (NYSTA) has reviewed the proposed changes in general business law and is in opposition to these changes. The fur industry in NY holds a very important economic impact to NYS and specifically NYC. Within the first year, 7500 jobs would be lost. 150 small businesses will shut down. Tax revenue would drop $76 million in the first year and $620 million in 10 years. $850 million in taxable revenue will be lost in the first year and $7 billion after 10 years. Looking at the larger picture, wildlife populations will explode that will affect the health and safety of all New York residences. Under current law, trappers keep most furbearer populations in check. Without the ability to sell their pelts, trappers will not be providing a free service to property owners. This will result in added costs to citizens and municipalities of New York State. The financial impact will be in the hundreds of millions in damages. It is for the above reasons, the New York State Trappers Association opposes this legislation. Respectfully submitted, David Leibig Executive Director (607) 434-1906 Beavertrapper69@gmail.com">Beavertrapper69@gmail.com

NYS Trappers Association is asking for your help May 16, 2022 12:27 ET *NTA Alert- All Members! * Call to Action Once again NYS Trappers Association is asking for your help to contact the committee chairs to not entertain Bill numbers A3467 by L. Rosenthal and S4459 by Addabbo, this bill would ban all foot-hold traps in NYS. The other Bill, A703 by L. Rosenthal and S5439 by Brisport, this bill would ban all products made from fur. Normally these wouldn’t get much attention, but with today's political climate, anything goes. A3467 and S4459 is assigned to the Environmental Conservation Committee. Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair, Todd Kaminsky email, kaminsky@nysenate.gov Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair, Steven Englebright email, englebrights@nyassembly.gov A703 is assigned to the Economic Development Committee. Harry Bronson, bronsonh@nyassembly.gov S5439 is assigned to Consumer Protection Committee. Kevin Thomas, thomas@nysenate.gov Bellow is the letters I have sent to the committee members. MEMORANDUM TO OPPOSE A3467 (L. Rosenthal) S4459 (Addabbo) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law (ECL), in relation to prohibiting the use of leg-gripping traps (foot-hold traps). The New York State Trappers Association (NYSTA) has reviewed the proposed changes to the ECL and is in opposition to these changes. The use of foot hold traps is a necessary wildlife management tool that is supported by wildlife agencies and biologists throughout North America. According to the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, $40 million dollars have been invested in the development of Best Management Practices for trapping (BMPs). Since the inception of this program in 1997, over 600 trap types have been evaluated for 23 species of furbearers with a North American investment of some $40 million dollars. Foot hold traps have been used in efforts to protect ‘at risk’ animal species from predation during vulnerable life cycle periods. Sea turtles, nesting sea birds and ground nesting terrestrial birds are among those species benefited. Additionally, restoration of wildlife species to their former ranges continues to be possible with the use of foot hold traps. River Otter, Grey, Red and Mexican wolves have benefitted. Beaver is just one example of a successful restoration of a nearly extinct species. The information given to justify this bill is inaccurate. It is not based on fact. Box traps are not an appropriate substitute replacement for foot hold traps. Animals are not immobilized; they are restrained by a foot which allows the option of release of an unharmed animal. Trapping seasons are set to avoid the time when offspring are reared. The American Veterinary Medical Association supports the BMP trapping recommendations. The majority of trappers implement these standards in their trapping methods. Without wildlife population management, increased populations will lead to transmission of disease and starvation. Mange, distemper, rabies, canine parvo virus, tularemia, raccoon roundworm can all be transmitted to pets as well as humans, thereby introducing health risks to the general population. Further, increasing populations of coyote, raccoon and other species in suburban areas will increase human-wildlife conflict as has been amply reported throughout the US and Canada. Unmanaged wildlife populations have been shown to have detrimental and costly impacts on homeowners, farmers, and municipalities. Property damage, livestock predation and exposure to transmittable diseases are among those impacts. It is for the above reasons that the New York State Trappers Association opposes this legislation. Respectfully submitted, David Leibig Executive Director (607) 434-1906 Beavertrapper69@gmail.com">Beavertrapper69@gmail.com MEMORANDUM TO OPPOSE A703 S5439 Relates to prohibitions on fur products; prohibits the manufacture, sale, display for sale, trade, giving, donating, or otherwise distributing of a fur product by any means in the state beginning twenty-four moths after this act becomes law. The New York State Trappers Association (NYSTA) has reviewed the proposed changes in general business law and is in opposition to these changes. The fur industry in NY holds a very important economic impact to NYS and specifically NYC. Within the first year, 7500 jobs would be lost. 150 small businesses will shut down. Tax revenue would drop $76 million in the first year and $620 million in 10 years. $850 million in taxable revenue will be lost in the first year and $7 billion after 10 years. Looking at the larger picture, wildlife populations will explode that will affect the health and safety of all New York residences. Under current law, trappers keep most furbearer populations in check. Without the ability to sell their pelts, trappers will not be providing a free service to property owners. This will result in added costs to citizens and municipalities of New York State. The financial impact will be in the hundreds of millions in damages. It is for the above reasons, the New York State Trappers Association opposes this legislation. Respectfully submitted, David Leibig Executive Director (607) 434-1906 Beavertrapper69@gmail.com">Beavertrapper69@gmail.com