AR-News: (CA) State weighs fox trapping, hunting

[Jill Kiesow]

><http://www.latimes.com/features/outdoors/la-os-briefs29.1jun29,1,4963748.story>http://www.latimes.com/features/outdoors/la-os-briefs29.1jun29,1,4963748.story 
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>BRIEFS
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>State weighs fox trapping, hunting
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>Los Angeles Times
>Charles Duhigg
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>June 29, 2004
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>STATE wildlife officials are proposing new rules to legalize hunting and 
>trapping of red foxes and nearly double the trapping days for bobcats to 
>satisfy farmers and hunters.
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>But environmental advocates charge that the California Department of Fish 
>and Game plan imperils other species and kowtows to a handful of 
>recreational trappers.
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>There are two types of red fox in California. One is the Sierra Nevada 
>fox, a protected species; the other is nonnative.
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>It is illegal to sport hunt or trap either species in California, but Fish 
>and Game officials say they want to change the rules because hunters and 
>farmers are complaining.
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>"Landowners say poultry and pheasants are getting eaten by red foxes," 
>state biologist Jesse Garcia said.
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>State officials say they can limit where foxes can be hunted to ensure 
>that the protected species is not killed.
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>But animal-rights groups say the rules are inhumane and will result in 
>deaths of other animals.
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>"The use of traps, bows and arrows and hunting hounds is not the way to 
>resolve this," said Camille Fox of the Animal Protection Institute. "Right 
>now the law allows the use of padded leg traps or guns if a fox is 
>perceived to be a threat to an endangered bird. The only reason for this 
>proposal is to appease people who like to hunt."
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>A public hearing before the Fish and Game Commission is scheduled Aug. 27.
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>­ Charles Duhigg
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Posted by:
Animal Protection Institute
PO Box 22505
Sacramento, CA 95822
916-447-3085
www.api4animals.org
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