State officials are reviewing a proposed initiative for the 2014 ballot that would ban animal trapping on public lands in Montana. A similar initiative failed to qualify for the 2010 election, but the issue has since received widespread attention because of the state’s decision to allow wolf trapping for the first time during the 2012-13 hunting season.
Trappers say it is a necessary wildlife management tool that helps sustain and maintain some animal populations by keeping others, such as wolves, in check.
Trappers were responsible for 97 of the 225 wolves killed during the hunting season, and they were instrumental in reducing the predators’ population in the state by 4 percent.
But 55 dogs were caught in traps during the 2012-13 season, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and there were highly publicized instances of other species, such as mountain lions, being caught.
That has helped draw attention to trapping as indiscriminant and inhumane, and should rally people to support the proposed ban, said Footloose Montana spokeswoman K.C. York.
“There are hidden land mines out there by the thousands,” York said of the traps. “I think people will find what we’re proposing will be fair and reasonable.”
The Montana secretary of state received the proposed ballot initiative Monday from Footloose board president Timothy Provow. The proposal would make it illegal to trap or attempt to trap animals and game birds on public lands, including public lands leased to private parties.
Under the proposal, state and local government employees would still be able to conduct trapping for public health and safety.
The Legislative Services Division is reviewing the proposal. If the language is approved, Footloose would be free to gather the 24,175 voter signatures required to place it on the ballot. Read more….