COMMITTEE for RESPONSIBLE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
~Committed to Conservation, Education and the Preservation of our Natural Resources~
"Promoting Science Based Wildlife Management Decisions for a Better Massachusetts"
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COMMITTEE for RESPONSIBLE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ~Committed to Conservation, Education and the Preservation of our Natural Resources~ "Promoting Science Based Wildlife Management Decisions for a Better Massachusetts"
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Our Corporate Sponsors    |
The Committee for Responsible Wildlife Management supported an extremely important House Bill sponsored and submitted by Representatives Anne M. Gobi and George N. Peterson titled "Safeguarding our Natural Resources". There were seven additional co-sponsors on this bill, which include: Senator Stephen Brewer, Representative Denis E. Guyer (NR. & Ag Committee House vice chair), Representative Todd Smola, Representative Stephen Kulik, Senator Benjamin Downing, Representative Robert Rice and Representative Cleon H. Turner. Click [HERE] for Printable Version of original bill description HB 736 Reported out of Committee Favorably and became HB 4172 [AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE] It is now HB 4943, has been amended by the governor (8/20/2010) and is now back in the legislature (8/26/2010). CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS to pass this bill. This bill provides important documentation of beaver permits issued and animals taken under those permits. Below is a brief description of what the original bill WOULD HAVE DONE if enacted: Original Massachusetts HOUSE BILL #736
SAFEGUARDING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES 186th
General Court of
The 2009 -'10
House Bill #736 sponsored by Representatives Anne Gobi
and George N. Peterson, titled “Safeguarding our Natural Resources” protects and conserves
our natural environment and wildlife, while at the same time recognizes our
furbearers as a valuable and sustainable resource.
This bill would create and maintain healthy furbearer populations through
a proactive, regulated harvest using the most effective, internationally tested
and best researched tools available. Over time, the implementation of this
law will significantly reduce human-animal conflicts and the extensive damage
that we are experiencing with beavers today across the entire state.
When enacted, this bill will allow the Massachusetts Division of
Fisheries and Wildlife (MDFW) to regulate and allow for use during the
established furbearer harvest seasons certain live restraint and “quick kill’
devices that adhere to internationally developed ”Best Management Practices
(BMPs). These BMPs have been
developed through a scientific process involving years of field and laboratory
testing under the auspices of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
(AFWA). The wording in this bill
significantly addresses animal welfare.
A limit to the size of the live restraint "foothold" style devices that
would be permitted is restricted to a maximum of 5 3/8" in diameter on land,
comparable to the size of a compact disk or CD.
In addition, the restraint surface area material must
not be steel.
Typically, an acceptable material
consists of rubber or a similar compound. The bill also allows for ‘quick-kill’
underwater devices and a newer land use device called the “foot encapsulation
restraint” that shields the entire foot inside a plastic or metal shell.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the limits
placed on the approved devices themselves, requirements have been incorporated
into the law to further address animal welfare and other concerns. For example,
a shock absorbing spring must be attached between the device itself and the
anchor point which reduces the chance of injury to the captured animal. The
distance between the device and the fixed anchor point must not exceed 2 feet,
leaving little distance for the animal to travel.
Also, a “pan tension device”
must be used on foothold restraints set on land, to reduce the potential of
capturing smaller and lighter, non-target animals.
Significantly
Reduces Need for Municipal Permitting Approval Process After this bill
passes, local Board of Health (BOH) permits will not be required to trap beavers
or other furbearers
using the approved devices during the regulated
season. Outside of MDFW designated seasons, local permits will
need to be obtained.
Citizens who have attended and passed the AFWA & MDFW approved trapper
education course and have obtained a
Responsible
Management This bill allows
responsible public participation in the proactive, highly regulated management
of furbearers in
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