Washington Governor Vetoes Trapping Bill

[PeterMuller]

Washington Governor Vetoes Trapping Bill
 

(Columbus) - Governor Gary Locke has disregarded the sportsmen's voice
and vetoed a bill to allow trapping in Washington.  Trapping was banned
at the ballot in 2000.

 

Governor Locke apparently caved to pressure from out of state animal
rights groups and vetoed SB 5179, a bill to allow the use of traps for
population control, scientific research and nuisance wildlife.  The
bill, sponsored by Senator Bob Oke (R-Port Orchard), had passed the
Senate by a vote of 37 to 12 and the House by a vote of 52 to 46.

 

Washington sportsmen have been working to reinstate trapping since
Initiative 713 passed in 2000.  In the general election that year,
voters were misled by the campaign of anti-hunting organizations and
banned the activity by a vote of 55 to 45 percent.  Once the initiative
passed, the state attorney general ruled that traps could not be used to
control nuisance wildlife.  As a result, private property damage from
moles, gophers and coyotes has skyrocketed.

 

"It's important to remember that Governor Locke was a supporter of I-713
in the first place," said Rob Sexton, vice president for government
affairs for the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance.  "Clearly, he is sympathetic
to the animal rights philosophy and his refusal to help the sportsmen,
homeowners and agricultural interests is proof.  We can only hope that
Washington voters remember where Governor Locke's loyalties are and how
he failed to help them when he had the chance."  

 

The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance protects the rights of hunters, anglers
and trappers nationally in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in
Congress and through public education programs.  For more information
about the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or
visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.