AR-News: US (OR) Trap Check Time Requirements

[Jill Kiesow]

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to Address Trap Check Time Requirements

Your Comments Needed by Friday, February 6, 2004

The Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC) is considering rule changes to 
its regulations on trap check time requirements for predatory animals in 
Oregon.

While Oregon currently has a 48-hour trap check requirement for furbearers 
(raccoons, beavers, and other furbearing mammals trapped for their fur), 
there are no trap check requirements for coyotes or other predatory 
animals. Predators can suffer for days or weeks because trappers are not 
required to check their traps in a "timely" manner -- the law says that 
traps must be checked "on a regular basis" but does not define what "on a 
regular basis" means. Thus certain types of animals suffer longer in traps 
than others. And having different trap check time requirements for 
different species creates an enforcement nightmare.

More than half of all states require that traps be checked at least once 
every 24 hours (or "daily"). Studies show that injuries and trauma of 
trapped animals are directly correlated to the time animals are left in 
traps. Along with trauma and injuries caused by snares and other primitive 
devices, trapped animals suffer from predation by other animals, inclement 
weather, dehydration, and starvation. If a lactating female is trapped, the 
orphaned young also become victims of such cruelty.

A number of proposals have been presented to the FWC. One proposal would 
continue to allow coyotes and other predators to suffer in killing traps or 
snares interminably with no required trap check time. Another would allow 
predators to suffer for up to 14 days in kill traps and snares. While the 
FWC will be voting only on whether to change the trap check time 
requirement for predators, it is important that concerned citizens express 
their desire to see trap check time requirement changed to 24 hours for all 
species and all trap types. Trapping proponents are lobbying hard for 
minimal (or no) trap check time requirements, arguing that it will mean 
economic hardship for them to have to check their traps on a regular basis.

Please speak out against these unconscionable proposals. The FWC needs to 
hear from all Oregon residents by February 6 -- not just trappers and other 
pro-consumptive wildlife users.

What You Can Do

1. Please immediately contact the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and 
ask it to implement a 24-hour trap check requirement for all animals and 
all types of traps. Comments are due by February 6.

Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission
Attention: Liz Bueffel
3406 Cherry Avenue NE
Salem, OR 97303
503-947-6330 fax
Liz.A.Bueffel at state.or.us

2. Please also immediately contact Governor Kulongoski and ask him to use 
his power to call for a 24-hour trap check time for all animals and all 
types of traps.
Governor Kulongoski
c/o Jim Myron
Public Service Building, Suite 126
255 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-378-3225 fax
jim.myron at state.or.us

3.Attend the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission Meeting on February 6, 2004. 
Please show your support for the animals by attending and testifying at the 
hearing where the Commission will vote on this issue. The trappers have 
attended every meeting in full force -- making a big impression on the 
Commission. We must make sure the Commission hears from all of the 
constituents it is supposed to represent, especially those who are a humane 
voice for Oregon's wildlife.

The meeting will be held on February 6, 2004, 8:00am at

Portland Expo Center
2060 North Marine Drive
Portland, OR
Visit www.dfw.state.or.us/ for directions and updates on time and meeting 
room, or call 503-947-6301.

Information for Talking Points and Letters:

·       It is archaic and unconscionable for Oregon to seriously consider 
anything less than a 24-hour trap check time for all animals and all trap 
types when more than half of all other states already have a 24-hour or 
daily trap check requirement. To be ethically consistent and to avoid 
unnecessary and unintentional maiming and killing of both target and 
non-target animals, a 24-hour trap check time requirement should be 
implemented for all legally trapped animals in Oregon, regardless of trap 
type used, purpose for trapping (whether for recreation or damage control), 
and species targeted.

·       Having different trap check times for different animals and 
different trap types makes no sense, ethically or practically. A consistent 
trap-check requirement for both furbearers and predators would allow law 
enforcement to work more efficiently and effectively.

·       Studies show that the longer animals are left to struggle in traps, 
the more likely they will incur injuries and trap related trauma including 
hemorrhaging, fractured bones, broken jaws and teeth, and dislocated (or 
severed) joints and ligaments. Minimizing the time spent in traps will 
minimize the suffering and extent of injury sustained by trap victims.

·       Implementing a 24-hour trap check time will allow non-target 
animals, including endangered species and domestic dogs and cats, to have a 
better chance at being released alive, with fewer injuries.

For more information, please contact Camilla Fox at chfox at earthlink.net or 
916-447-3085 x215.

Posted 01/06/04 - Okay to Forward/Crosspost


Posted by:
Animal Protection Institute
PO Box 22505
Sacramento, CA 95822
916-447-3085
www.api4animals.org



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