AR-News: More red foxes, bobcats could be killed under rules

[Animalara2003 at aol.com]

Saturday, June 26, 2004
 (http://sfgate.com/chronicle/) 
_Jane Kay, Chronicle Environment Writer_ (mailto:jkay at sfchronicle.com)  
 
(http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object.cgi?object=/chronicle/pictures/2004/06/26/ba_ba_b9_bobcat_kay.jpg&paper=chronicle&file=BAG087C4701.DTL&directory=/c/a/200
4/06/26&type=news)  
(http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object.cgi?object=/chronicle/pictures/2004/06/26/ba_ba_b9_.jpg&paper=chronicle&file=BAG087C4701.DTL&directory
=/c/a/2004/06/26&type=news)  
The state Department of Fish and Game has proposed new rules that would  
legalize the hunting and trapping of red foxes and nearly double the number of  
trapping days for bobcats, whose pelt prices have jumped to $186 apiece.  
The rules also would exempt thousands of backyard wildlife trappers from the  
licensing provisions of a law passed two years ago to regulate their 
burgeoning  businesses.  
The state agency presented draft regulations to the Fish and Game Commission  
in Crescent City on Thursday. The commission will vote on the proposals on 
Aug.  27 after public hearings that are expected to bring out animal protection  
advocates, hunters, backyard wildlife trappers and commercial fur trappers  
spurred by rising bobcat, beaver and badger pelt prices.  
In March, the California Trappers' Association in Elk Creek asked Fish and  
Game for a four-month hunting season, allowing an unlimited kill of red fox.  
Dogs, bows and arrows, traps and guns could be used. The group also requested  
the extension of the bobcat trapping season to 120 days.  
Red fox hunting would be allowed statewide, except in a special zone in the  
territory of the native Sierra Nevada red fox.  
The Animal Protection Institute, a Sacramento animal advocacy group, opposed  
the proposal, charging that Fish and Game "is catering to a minority of  
Californians who like to kill red foxes and bobcats for fun or profit.''  
Camille Fox, director of wildlife programs with the institute, said, "The  
vast majority of Californians neither hunt nor trap, and value the state's  
wildlife. Most citizens would love to see a red fox in the wild, and would be  
sickened to see one either chased and pursued by hounds or shot by bow and arrow  
or trapped.''  
Red foxes were brought to California in the late 1800s to use as prey in fox  
hunts, then farmed for fur through the early 1900s. 
 
full  story:
_http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/06/26/BAG087C4701.DTL_ 
(http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/06/26/BAG087C4701.DTL)  

 
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"I ask for the privilege of not being born ...not  to be born until you can 
assure me of a home and a master (caregiver) to protect  me, and a right to 
live as long as I am physically able to enjoy life...not to  be born until my 
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