Oregon Group Plans nti-Trapping Measure For 2014

[FWS]

Central Oregon group plans anti-trapping measure for 2014 ballot

The Oregonian
November 12, 2012

A group based in central Oregon plans an anti-trapping measure for the 2014 ballot.

The TrapFree Oregon initiative would ban trapping of animals for their fur or other body parts and outlaw the buying or selling of fur or other parts of trapped animals, The Bend Bulletin reported Monday.

It also would make poisoning animals illegal but make exceptions for mice and other small rodentlike animals and larger animals that can't be controlled by nonlethal means.

"We are ready to go," said Lucinda Baker, executive director of TrapFree Oregon.

The movement to ban trapping started earlier this year in Bend after a half-dozen dogs were caught in traps in central Oregon.

The state Fish and Wildlife Commission restricted traps near marked trails, trailheads and campgrounds to protect people and their pets, but Baker said the rules didn't go far enough.

TrapFree Oregon has submitted paperwork to the secretary of state's office. It expects to gather more than 100,000 signatures to put the measure on the ballot, Baker said.

Voters in Oregon have twice rejected trapping bans, in 1980 and 2000.

Four states around the West have passed trapping bans — Arizona in 1994, Colorado in 1996, California in 1998 and Washington in 2000.

Trappers use traps to collect pelts for sale and to keep troublesome animals, from muskrats to coyotes, in check, said Don Nichols, fur sales manager for the Oregon Territorial Council on Furs Inc. The council has held an annual springtime fur sale in Prineville for about 40 years.

Opposition to trapping often comes from people who want to save every animal, he said.

[FWS]

The TrapFree Oregon initiative would ban trapping of animals for their fur or other body parts and outlaw the buying or selling of fur or other parts of trapped animals,

This is the most brutal anti trap initiative we've seen yet, in any state. It eliminates everything, including the commerce in fur or other parts.

[trappincoyotes39]

well we will see what does a better job even the 10 largest cities in Oregon have a total of 40% of the population base. The farmers and ranchers and all outdoorsmen need to turn out to vote NO a resounding win would slow them down for awhile.

I would hope the Game Dept would exspress the need for trapping in their state?

[FWS]

OR beat the last one in 2000 with 58% voting no.

Problem is this initiative is written differently, it specifically prohibits trapping for fur, but still allows the use of traps by private property owners, ranchers, farmers, the Feds, state, & local agencies for nuisance control, livestock protection, endangered species protection, research, etc. Whereas the previous initiative prohibited the use of traps by most with limited exemptions.

So if agriculture, property owners, etc. aren't affected their funds aren't gonna flow to the 'no' campaign.

[trappincoyotes39]

I think most farmers- ranchers should see this is the tip of the iceburg, get rid of fur trapping and then in a few years put the hammer down on it all.

They call it the trapfree, doesn't mean they will stop at just fur trapping but looking to break down the ranks and over TIME end it all, these crack pots won't be happy until trapping is gone in the entire state.

Again the Game dept needs to educate people on the how's and why's trapping is needed in their state by fur harvestors.

[FWS]

Well that's what we'd hope for anyways huh ? Problem being that it generally doesn't work out that way for any number of reasons.

It'll really come down to money, because it costs a lot to put the message out often enough that it will resonate with enough voters to mark the 'no' box on the ballot.