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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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Opportunities abound with Solid legislation and changes in the Massachusetts House and Senate

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Representative William Straus was a positive force as House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture in 2009 - 2010 and we will continue to work with him on natural resource issues.  Speaker of the House DeLeo recently assigned Spencer resident, Representative Anne Gobi to that post.  Representative Gobi is a longtime advocate for reasonable, responsible and balanced laws regarding the management of our natural resources.  She is a great choice for chairperson and look forward to continuing the positive relationship we already have established.  

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Senator Stephen Brewer of Barre was appointed as new chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee for the 2011 -12 session.  Senator Brewer has also be a long time advocate for conservation and reasonable, balanced laws.  He will no doubt continue to be that advocate for citizens who are looking for a positive voice for common sense laws.  We welcome his appointment and continued support!

Current legislation in need of co-sponsors: Deadline February 4, 2011

Contact your Representative and Senator asking him to support these bills!

An Act Valuing our Natural Resources  (follow this link - modifications in RED)
Chairperson Anne Gobi - Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture has filed this bill... Docket 2671

"An Act Valuing our Natural Resources" is a proactive approach to addressing the revolving, costly conflicts that many communities throughout Massachusetts are grappling with today.  Landowners, farmers, towns and municipalities have shouldered both the responsibility and rising costs resulting from a trapping law that fails to allow for a proactive, balanced and flexible approach to wildlife management.  This bill will modify the existing law, allowing for our "best and brightest" in the wildlife management profession to focus their efforts on ensuring healthy wildlife populations using the most extensively tested and internationally approved devices available.  It will allow for a balanced approach that encourages both regulated non-lethal and lethal management methods resulting in lower and healthier population levels where conflicts with society become uncommon.  It's important to note that the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife support the components of this legislation and are fully willing and able to implement it.

bulletAllows for the use of prohibited trapping devices by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) and their authorized agents during the established trapping seasons.  Authorized agents would include citizens who have successfully completed the MA DFW trapping training course and acquired a valid trapping license
bulletThe current, reactive "beaver/muskrat permit system" would not apply or be required during the "proactive" regulated season that runs between the months of November and April for beaver or muskrat.  The permit system would however, still apply and be available outside the season dates
bulletThe existing language in the current trapping law for health & safety and crop damage (regarding use of prohibited devices) would remain and apply only outside the regulated trapping season
bulletThe uses of prohibited trapping devices would be subject to the regulations and restrictions promulgated by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, were animal welfare is a top priority
bulletThe Division of Fisheries and Wildlife fully support this legislation

 An Act Assessing our Natural Resources (follow this link - modifications in RED)
Representative Steve Kulik has filed this bill... DOCKET 1074

bulletAllows for the use of prohibited restraint devices by the DFW and their authorized agents for research activities to better manage and understand wildlife
bullet The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife fully support this legislation
Prior to the trapping ban, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife used successfully, "non-lethal cable restraints" to capture black bears for their "Bear Management Program".  The non-lethal cable restraints held the bear by the paw, causing little to no harm or pain to the animal.  This was a extremely successful program, but ceased to effectively function after the ban. 

Devices currently banned for use in Massachusetts are used consistently and successfully throughout North America to help endangered species populations and to better understand resident wildlife through radio collaring and tracking animal movements.  This bill underscores the importance of trapping, using modern restraint devices and the role in plays in proper wildlife management activities.

 

 

  

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Last modified: July 07, 2010