Oppose House Bill 6014 - Call to ACTION!

View this email in your browser HB-6014 AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF LEGHOLD AND BODY-CRUSHING TRAPS HB-6014 is now being DRAFTED in the Environment Committee and has a Public Hearing scheduled for Friday 03/01 at 1030 AM at the Legislative Office Building, Room 2B of the in Hartford. Directions We need all Licensed Trappers to send in written testimony OPPOSING this Bill and/or show up on Friday 03/01 and give verbal testimony OPPOSING this Bill. Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies ( AFWA ) Best Management Practices. Fur Takers of America - Is Mother Nature Humane? You can click on the above images to view the details of the BMPs and/or the FTA brochure on diseases. These are both examples of points we can use as FACTS to support: Approved, tested, and humane traps we use in Connecticut that are BMP approved. Diseases we manage by fur trapping with the use of the foothold and conibear traps You can also use the FACTS of the benefits of trapping beaver (as an example) from the September/October 2018 Connecticut Wildlife magazine. Article: Furbearer Management Relies on Trapping or The FACTS of the immediate impacts to Massachusetts from the Wildlife Protection Act (passed in Massachusetts in 1996), that outlawed the use of leg hold traps and conibear (body gripping) traps in the state. Example - Article: Sterling Massachusetts, River Contaminates Town's Water Supply When State Leaves It to Beavers or the FACT that there were 356 licensed trappers in 2017. At $34 per license, that was $12,104.00 accrued by the state. Not to mention how many State Land Permits were purchased ay $120 each. or You can refer to the (OFA) Office of Fiscal Analysis's report from the 2009 (Senate Bill 994) legislative attempt to ban the use of the foothold and conibear traps. This report stated, that in 2009 the impact to the State of Connecticut would be close to $500,000 yearly. Read: AN ACT CONCERNING LEGHOLD TRAPS - OFA Report Written Testimony Here is a sample of the format you can use to submit your written testimony: Dear members of the Environment Committee, I urge you to oppose HB #6014 (An Act Prohibiting The Use Of Leghold and Body-Crushing Traps) for a number of reasons. Massachusetts has passed identical legislation back in 1996. There is documented proof that this type of legislation passage would increase property damage, block culverts, and flood roads. It would also increase the public health risk of diseases such as mange, rabies, and giardia. This Bill will ban the use of both the foothold and Conibear type traps. This Bill will only allow the use of cage and "suit-case" type traps for live trapping. Coyotes cannot be caught in cage traps. "Suit-case" type traps (used to capture beaver alive) that is mentioned within this Bill is not a recognized, approved, and effective device to manage beaver. The capturing and relocation of beaver in Connecticut is not sanctioned nor supported by the CT DEEP. In fact, the DEEP has documented the impact and deficiencies that beaver relocation accrue. Regulated trapping within the State of Connecticut is a proven, effective means of managing all mandated furbearers regulated by the DEEP.  What we do is safe, effective, and for the greater good of the animal, ecosystem and public. I hope I can count on you to do the right thing for Connecticut citizens and wildlife by opposing HB #6014 Sincerely,             Your Name and Town you live in Write your email and send it to envtestimony@cga.ct.gov     Public Testimony When you are called, sit at the speaker's desk. You may begin with "Madam Chair, Mr. Chairman" (as appropriate) "and members of the committee." Introduce yourself very distinctly so the transcriber can understand, and mention your town and the number and title of the bill you'll be speaking on. Indicate right away whether you support the bill, oppose it, or are offering suggestions to improve it. Then explain your reasoning. Follow this procedure for each bill you discuss. Keep your remarks short; 3-5 minutes is usually enough, but be sure not to exceed any announced time limits. If other speakers have already made your point, you can say that you agree with, or want to associate yourself with the remarks of one or more previous speakers. Your views and your name will then be clearly on record. When you finish, remain at the microphone for a moment, in case committee members want to ask questions. Then return to your seat or leave the hearing, as you wish. For more details about Public Hearings, please visit the CGA web site link below: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/Content/YourVoice.asp   Copyright © 2019 Connecticut Fur Harvesters Association, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are listed as being a Connecticut licensed trapper. Our mailing address is: Connecticut Fur Harvesters Association PO Box 422 Enfield, CT 06083-0422 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.