Nebraska Alert
Don Miller called today with information on the current Right of Way (ROW) trapping issue. Don called Sam Wilson, NG&P fur bearer biologist today to see where the ROW subject was. Sam referred Don to Jim Douglas; of NG&P. Jim is Wildlife Division Administrator.
Jim spent time with Don on the phone to go back to the first stages of this problem. He explained the bill in question is LB 299. This bill is sponsored by Senator Carol Hudkins. The basic language pertains to setting some fees for the NG&P and also lowering the age of youth who apply for certain permits. The original bill contains no language on trapping. No mention of trapping was announced before the hearing with the Natural Resources Committee (NRC) comment & hearing.
During the NRC hearing the lady who regretfully lost the dog to a illegally
set 220 in a ditch showed up with a plea for the NG&P or NRC to stop ROW trapping. In addition she also had pictures of the scene and dog as evidence to back her statements. At that time Senator Hudkins stated she wanted to attach language to LB 299 to restrict or ban ROW trapping.
After this hearing Jim Douglas encouraged her to reconsider any attachments for no person had been given an opportunity to speak on behalf of road side trapping. NG&P had testified for the bill before the dog issue came up. When you have finished speaking and another person has the floor you are not able to testify a second time. The bill was at that time put off until another meeting or hearing.
Since that time senator Hudkins intends to attach language to LB 299 that would ban roadside trapping. The bill had been held up waiting for this language. Since that time another Senator has jumped on the band wagon wanting to attach an amendment that would allow ROW trapping in counties which allowed it. The stipulation would be the county would issue a permit to the trapper for a fee.
The Nebraska Fur Harvesters want NO amendments attached to LB 299!
Since trapping had not been on the original bill the amendments will be heard on the Legislature floor. It is the full Legislature that will have to approve the language being added to LB 299.
After you are finished contacting your Senator call every NFH member you know, call every trapper you know and tell them to call their Senator and urge them to vote NO for attachments being added to LB 299.
This is the way we were blessed with trap tags! Now it could be ROW trapping! What would be next???
Give Don Miller a call for the latest updates on this subject. (308) 440-2951
Don does not have Email!
Roy Greenfield
