Maryland Bill To Put Trapping In Hands Of Local Government Advances To Governor
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Maryland Bill To Put Trapping In Hands Of Local Government Advances To Governor





A Maryland bill that would strip wildlife authority from the state and put residents of a local community at risk of wildlife-borne diseases has made its way to Gov. Robert Ehrlich’s desk.

Maryland sportsmen are urged to ask Gov. Ehrlich to veto HB 465, which would ban foot hold traps in Howard Co., Maryland. The bill, introduced by the Howard County Delegation, ignores the state agency conclusions that trapping is a safe and effective wildlife management tool. It diverts such management decision-making to the local government, creating a patchwork approach to managing the state’s wildlife.

Aside from ignoring the prowess of state wildlife professionals, the bill also puts public health in jeopardy. The state Department of Health reports that counties including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Montgomery, and Price George’s that have banned foot hold traps have a disproportionately high number of rabies cases. Trapping is the most effective control method for species that carry rabies and other diseases.

House Bill 465 passed the House of Delegates on March 23 by a vote of 115 to 18. It then moved through the Senate on April 6 by a vote of 30 to 16. Maryland sportsmen have defeated similar bills in past legislative sessions, and grassroots action is again necessary to protect outdoor sports.

Take Action! Maryland sportsmen should ask Gov. Ehrlich to veto HB 465. Banning the foot hold trap will create a patchwork approach to wildlife management and increase the risk of Howard County residents being exposed to wildlife-borne diseases. To contact the Governor, call (410) 974-3901 or use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.
US Sportmens Alliance on Target

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