Washington House approves bill to allow trapping (4/24/2003)

A bill has passed the Washington House of Representatives that will again allow trapping in the state. Trapping was banned by ballot initiative in 2000.

Animal rights groups misled voters to believe that Initiative 713 would still permit them to control nuisance wildlife such as moles and gophers. Once the issue passed, however, the Washington attorney general revealed the truth. Public outcry and media attention laid the groundwork for sportsmen's groups and other affected parties.

"You have to really credit Washington sportsmen for their perseverance in seeing this issue through," said Rob Sexton, vice president for government affairs for the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance. "We are pleased to have been able to help them win what could be a precedent-setting victory over animal rights forces."

Senate Bill 5179, sponsored by Senator Bob Oke (R-Port Orchard), passed the House yesterday by a vote of 52 to 46. The Senate took the first steps to reinstate trapping in Washington when it passed SB 5179 by a vote of 37 to 12.

The bill now goes back to the Senate, which is expected to approve the minor changes made by the House. The bill will then be sent to Governor Gary Locke.

But the battle is not over.

Anti-hunting groups, led by the Washington, D.C.-based Humane Society of the United States, have called on their members to pressure the governor to veto the bill. To prevent this from happening, Washington sportsmen must contact Governor Locke and ask him to sign Senate Bill 5179.

Take Action! Remind the governor of the problems that have arisen since the ban has been in place and ask him to provide a solution. To contact Governor Locke, call (360) 902-4111.

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