Our trapping rights threatened......Help needed !

[gooser]

 There is a bill right now in the House that will threaten our rights as sportsman to trapping.I think if this should pass,our hunting rights will be attacked as well. Please help by sending an email or letter or by calling saying you don't support this.

 This is what I received.


Jeff
you should write a email protesting this house bill, if it passes the next thing to go will be hunting.

Michigan Representative Introduces Anti-trapping Legislation

 

Michigan Representative Lorence Wenke (R, Richland) has introduced legislation which threatens Michigan’s trapping and outdoor recreation heritage.  If passed, House Bill 4497 (Wenke) will eliminate the use of leghold traps in Michigan.

 

The Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) fully supports trapping as a means of both recreation and predator management in Michigan.  Raccoons, coyotes, opossum, and many other species which can easily become overpopulated in areas where hunting and other population control measures are either not feasible or cost prohibitive.  In these instances trapping is an essential mechanism to keep local populations in check and prevent them from becoming overly abundant.

 

Without proper population management raccoons and other small predator species have the ability to wreak havoc on reptile and amphibian populations, produce severe disease concerns (such as rabies and distemper), and have an immense negative impact on farmers and their livestock.  By prohibiting the use of “leghold” traps the proposed legislation takes away a vital tool in the continued management of these potentially nuisance species.

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP.  Your calls, e-mails, and letters are needed to be certain that this bill doesn’t see the light of day.  HB 4497 has been referred to Representative Joe Sheltrown’s (D, West Branch) committee on Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, and Natural Resources.  Call Representative Sheltrown and tell him that HB 4497 is dangerous and should not be brought forward in Committee.  Representative Sheltrown’s phone number is 888/347-8103.  Contact information for Representative Sheltrown’s fellow committee members can also be found attached to the bottom of this alert.

 

Also, contact Representative Wenke and ask him why he would support legislation that eliminates effective predator control in some parts of Michigan.  The Representative’s contact information is:


Representative Lorence Wenke

District 63

9180 West Gull Lake Drive

Richland, MI  49083

lorencewenke@house.mi.gov







--

[Chris Potts]

I emailed him about this bill.  I am going to copy in his response below.

Chris


Dear Chris:
 
Thank you for contacting my office regarding House Bill 4497.  I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns about the outcomes of this proposed bill.
 
HB 4497 has been referred to the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee.  The chairmen, Rep. Joel Sheltrown has informed me under no uncertain terms that he will not consider or move HB 4497.  I have also agreed not to push for it or request any further consideration.  This bill will die at the end of 2008 when the current legislative session ends.
 
Please know that I have also forwarded your e-mail to your State Representative Frank Accavitti.  I am sure that his office will also represent your concerns should this bill ever be discussed.

Again, thank you for contacting my office.  If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Lorence Wenke
State Representative
63rd District

P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI  48909-7514

[gooser]

Again, thanks chris,I responded to your post in the trapping forum.This is what I to like to see,sportsmen/women sticking together for our rights and heritage.
Thanks agian
gooser

[Cap'n Jon]

It's always something!  Same w/ the farmer in the U.P. and their rights to KILL the problem wolves.  Guess that bill is also dead!?  Holy Wah!