Do you have more to add. I read this as Fl folks will have a real trapping season. Theres not a lot of details.
Subject: Proposed Rule – Regulated Trapping of Wildlife in Florida Purpose: Obtain approval to advertise proposed rule amendments to update current wildlife trapping regulations. Why: Updates to Florida’s trapping rules will incorporate current methods, supported by research, to improve effective, species-specific, and humane trapping. Top Points: 1) Wildlife trapping is an important tool for wildlife management. 2) Florida’s current limited trapping rules have led to non-target wildlife captures. 3) Staff have worked with stakeholders and a Technical Assistance Group (TAG) to develop rule amendments that better align with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (AFWA) best management practices (BMPs) in support of effective, species-specific, and humane wildlife trapping methods. Interested Parties: Nuisance wildlife trappers, recreational trappers, private landowners, humane interest groups, conservation organizations, universities, governmental agencies, and members of the public. Summary: Wildlife trapping is an important tool for wildlife management. Trapping is used to remove nonnative and invasive species, protect threatened and endangered species, minimize threats to human and pet safety, manage wildlife for airport safety, reduce damage to crops and property, provide data about wildlife, support harvest of wildlife for food and other uses, and relocate and restore wildlife. Trapping has a long history in Florida, with regulations beginning in 1941. FWC’s current rules, developed in the 1970s, prohibit the use of steel traps without a permit and allow the use of snares, cage traps, and corral traps with minimal restrictions. These limited rules on trapping are not in alignment with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Best Management Practices for Trapping in the United States or with other states throughout the southeast. Since 2021, FWC staff have worked with stakeholders and a Technical Assistance Group to seek input on a suite of changes, including newly required registration, training, and reporting for trappers, as well as updates to the allowed trap types, specifications, and placement of traps. Staff will provide an update on feedback to date and present draft rule amendments. Staff Recommendation: Approve the proposed rule for advertising and direct staff to return to a future Commission Meeting for final approval. Staff Contact and/or Presenter: Melissa Tucker, Director, Habitat and Species Conservation; George Warthen, Chief Conservation Officer, Office of the Executive Director (Presenter)
