CouesWhitetail Report post Posted April 1, 2013 Here is an email I received recently: Late in January this past winter a trapper from Yucca Valley California (an active duty Marine) was found trapping bobcats near the boundary of Joshua Tree national monument by a few of the local community members. Completely within the law and practicing a trade that is more than two hundred years old and at the root of the settlement of America he, myself and all the trappers of California have come under attack. The community of Joshua Tree is composed of some very unique individuals. They have all congregated there as they are of like mind with regard to any sustainable use of California's resources. They are activists of the highest level and are partnered with all the groups who seek to purify and sterilize people like you and me. Immediately these residents started sending me hate mail, death threats and making U-tube videos and social network posts inciting violence against me and my family. At first I didn't even know what was going on as I had no involvement in the activities there (Joshua Tree). It didn't take long to figure out what these folks were capable of and how emotional they are. They are morally corrupt as evidence by their ability to lie, send filth to my home and even go so far as to post pictures of my children on their Facebook with one comment reading, "maybe they will start hunting each other" After a single cage trap was found near Joshua Tree the typical activist tactics of lies and misrepresentations began. The papers read "teams of trappers lined the borders of Joshua Tree". With this initial swell the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) jumped on board and convinced a freshman Democratic assemblyman from Santa Monica to introduce legislation that would ban the trapping and sale of any bobcat in the state. Legislation written by the CBD and introduced just 32 days from the time the cage trap was found! Ask yourself how responsible is this? No matter your feelings on the issue of trapping I just don't see how this could possibly be considered a responsible use of your position as an assmblymember. One would think that if you were about to change the course of wildlife management in California, effect both the economics and quality of the lives of a few hundred trapping families across the sate and set the California Fish and Wildlife department up to be the laughing stock of the nation you would do a little research first. Sadly the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is under directive from the Governor to have a "neutral" position on any issues like this. The fact is that the Bobcat is alive and well In California and across the nation. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence to support this. Several states in the last few years have added seasons and or increased their allowable harvest. The bobcat is carefully managed and the harvest monitored in California. As a California trapper we have a 68 day season and we must check our traps at least once a day. We use humane cage traps as dictated to use by the Humane Society of America in 1998 when they successfully banned the use of foot hold traps. These cage traps allow the capture and holding of animals unharmed. They also allow us to release non- target animals and young and/or female bobcats, a practice I preach to all trappers to ensure a healthy and plentiful bobcat population for all to enjoy. The real issue here is that these very vocal people are morally and ethically (some of them have none) against the killing of any animal no matter the cost to the species, economy or others freedoms and rights. The hunters, trappers, and fishermen are among California's most ardent conservationists and we are being buried a shovelful at a time by these people. The wildlife of California ultimately pays the price as we are the financiers of wildlife management and habitat improvement through our license fees, excise taxes and the work of countless non-profit conservation groups. The mission statement of the California Fish and Wildlife in part states "... responsible for the diversified use of fish and wildlife including recreational, commercial, scientific and educational uses" As a director for the California Trappers association I will be heading to Sacramento tomorrow for meetings and preparations for the bill to be read before its first committee; the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife committee. I and others will be working with our lobbyist to of course kill this thing or amend it into something that works for both sides. As this is an animal rights issue there exists a considerable amount of support from these groups. Right or wrong they must be acknowledged and some changes in the current trapping regulations will likely result if we are to continue trapping at all. I personally will be pushing for changes in the current trapping regulations that would help to avoid any further issues like the one that started all of this and have no real effect on our activities. One change would be a mandated "trappers education course" to be completed before issuance of license to first time and out of state trappers. A course designed for the modern fur trapper and not the out of touch test which currently exists. My main focus will be to push the Fish and Wildlife department and/or the Fish and Wildlife Commission to perform a modern study of the bobcat population and management plan. This plan would allow input from both sides to ensure the long term health of California’s bobcats for all to use and enjoy rather than managing our wildlife for the long term health of politicians. Calling is really very easy and only takes a minute. Just simply state your name and that you oppose AB1213. The simple statement that you would, “prefer that wildlife management issues be left in the hands of the California Fish and Wildlife” is enough to get the point across. Thank you, Mercer Lawing 940 Olive court Barstow, Ca. mdlawing@yahoo.com contact info ASSEMBLY WATER, PARKS & WILDLIFE COMMITTEE Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Chair Assembly District 63 District Address: 12132 South Garfield Avenue, South Gate 90280 District Telephone: (562) 529-3250/FAX: (562) 529-3255 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2063/FAX: (916) 319-2163 Main Cities: BELL, CUDAHY, HAWAIIAN GARDENS, LAKEWOOD, LONG BEACH, LYNWOOD, MAYWOOD, PARAMOUNT, SOUTH GATE District Zip Codes: 90201, 90262, 90270, 90280, 90711, 90712, 90713, 90714, 90715, 90716, 90723, 90805 Assemblymember Frank Bigelow (R-O’Neals) – Vice-Chair Assembly District 5 District Address: 33C Broadway, Jackson 95642 District Telephone: (209) 223-9140/FAX: Not Listed Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2005/FAX: (916) 319-2105 Main Cities: ANGELS CAMP, AHWAHNEE, AUBURN, CHOWCHILLA, IONE, JACKSON, MADERA, O’NEALS, PLACERVILLE, SAN ANDREAS, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE District Zip Codes: 93512, 93517, 93529, 93541, 93546, 93601, 93604, 93610, 93614, 93623, 93636, 93637, 93638, 93639, 93643, 93644, 93645, 93653, 93669, 95221, 95222, 95223, 95224, 95225, 95226, 95228, 95229, 95232, 95233, 95245, 95246, 95247, 95248, 95249, 95250, 95251, 95252, 95254, 95255, 95257, 95305, 95306, 95309, 95310, 95311, 95314, 95318, 95321, 95325, 95327, 95329, 95335, 95338, 95345, 95346, 95347, 95364, 95370, 95372, 95373, 95375, 95379, 95383, 95389, 95601, 95603, 95613, 95614, 95619, 95623, 95629, 95633, 95634, 95635, 95636, 95640, 95642, 95644, 95646, 95651, 95654, 95656, 95658, 95664, 95665, 95666, 95667, 95669, 95672, 95675, 95684, 95685, 95689, 95699, 95709, 95720, 95721, 95726, 95735, 96107, 96120, 96133, 96150, 96151, 96155, 96156, 96158 Assemblymember Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach) Assembly District 72 District Address: 17011 Beach Boulevard, Ste. 570, Huntington Beach 92647 District Telephone: (714) 843-4966/FAX: (714) 843-6375 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2072/FAX: (916) 319-2172 Main Cities: FOUNTAIN VALLEY, GARDEN GROVE, LOS ALAMITOS, SEAL BEACH, WESTMINSTER District Zip Codes: 90720, 90721, 90740, 90742, 90743, 92605, 92647, 92649, 92655, 92683, 92684, 92685, 92708, 92728, 92840, 92841, 92842, 92843, 92844, 92845, 92846 Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D-Woodland Hills) Assembly District 45 District Address: 6150 Van Nuys Boulevard, Ste. 305, Van Nuys 91401 District Telephone: (818) 904-3840/FAX: (818) 904-0764 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2045/FAX: (916) 319-2145 Main Cities: CALABASAS, CANOGA PARK, CHATSWORTH, ENCINO, LOS ANGELES, NORTHRIDGE, WEST HILLS, WINNETKA, WOODLAND HILLS District Zip Codes: 91302, 91303, 91304, 91305, 91306, 91307, 91308, 91309, 91311, 91316, 91324, 91325, 91327, 91328, 91329, 91330, 91335, 91337, 91356, 91357, 91364, 91365, 91367, 91371, 91372, 91385, 91396, 91416, 91426, 91436 Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-Los Angeles) Assembly District 39 District Address: 9300 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Los Angeles 91331 District Telephone: (818) 504-3911/FAX: (818) 504-3912 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2039/FAX: (916) 319-2139 Main Cities: NORTH HOLLYWOOD, PACOIMA, PANORAMA CITY, SAN FERNANADO, SUN VALLEY, SYLMAR District Zip Codes: 91040, 91041, 91042, 91043, 91331, 91333, 91340, 91341, 91342, 91345, 91346, 91352, 91353, 91392, 91395, 91601, 91605, 91606, 91609, 91610, 91611, 91612, 91614, 91615, 91616, 91617 Assemblymember Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) Assembly District 1 District Address: 280 Hemsted Dr., Rm. 110, Redding 96002 District Telephone: (530) 223-6300/FAX: (530)-23-6737 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2001/FAX: (916) 319-2101 Main Cities: Anderson, Grass Valley, Mt. Shasta, Quincy, Redding, Susanville, Truckee, Weed, Yreka District Zip Codes: 95568, 95602, 95604, 95631, 95701, 95703, 95712, 95713, 95714, 95715, 95717, 95722, 95724, 95728, 95736, 95910, 95915, 95916, 95923, 95924, 95930, 95934, 95936, 95941, 95942, 95944, 95945, 95946, 95947, 95949, 95954, 95956, 95959, 95960, 95971, 95975, 95977, 95978, 95980, 95983, 95984, 95986, 96001, 96002, 96003, 96006, 96007, 96008, 96009, 96011, 96013, 96014, 96015, 96016, 96017, 96019, 96020, 96023, 96025, 96027, 96028, 96031, 96032, 96033, 96034, 96037, 96038, 96039, 96040, 96044, 96047, 96049, 96050, 96051, 96054, 96056, 96057, 96058, 96062, 96064, 96065, 96067, 96068, 96069, 96070, 96071, 96073, 96076, 96079, 96084, 96085, 96086, 96087, 96088, 96089, 96094, 96095, 96096, 96097, 96099, 96101, 96103, 96104, 96105, 96106, 96108, 96109, 96110, 96111, 96112, 96113, 96114, 96115, 96116, 96117, 96118, 96119, 96121, 96122, 96123, 96124, 96125, 96126, 96127, 96128, 96129, 96130, 96132, 96134, 96135, 96136, 96137, 96140, 96141, 96142, 96143, 96145, 96146, 96148, 96160, 96161, 96162 Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) Assembly District 28 District Address: 2105 S. Bascom Avenue, Ste. 160, Campbell 95008 District Telephone: (408) 277-2003/FAX: (408) 277-2084 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2028/FAX: (916) 319-2128 Main Cities: CAMPBELL, CUPERTINO, LOS GATOS, SAN JOSE, SARATOGA District Zip Codes: 95008, 95009, 95011, 95014, 95015, 95026, 95030, 95031, 95032, 95044, 95070, 95071, 95117, 95118, 95124, 95125, 95126, 95128, 95129, 95130, 95191 Assemblymember Jim Frazier, Jr. (D-Oakley) Assembly District 11 District Address: 1261 Travis Boulevard, Ste. 110, Fairfield 94566 District Telephone: Not Listed Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2011/FAX: (916) 319-2111 Main Cities: ANTIOCH, BRENTWOOD, CLAYTON, FAIRFIELD, OAKLEY, PITTSBURG, VACAVILLE, WALNUT GROVE District Zip Codes: 94505, 94509, 94511, 94512, 94513, 94514, 94531, 94533, 94534, 94535, 94548, 94561, 94571, 94585, 95625, 95641, 95680, 95687, 95688, 95690, 95696 Assemblymember Beth Gaines (R-Rocklin) Assembly District 6 District Address: 1700 Eureka Road, Ste. 160, Roseville 95661 District Telephone: (916) 774-4430/FAX: (916) 774-4433 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2006/FAX: (916) 319-2106 Main Cities: CAMERON PARK, EL DORADO HILLS, FAIR OAKS, FOLSOM, GRANITE BAY, LINCOLN, LOOMIS, ORANGEVALE, ROCKLIN, ROSEVILLE District Zip Codes: 95628, 95630, 95648, 95650, 95661, 95662, 95663, 95671, 95677, 95678, 95681, 95682, 95746, 95747, 95762, 95763, 95765 Assemblymember Mike Gatto (D-Silver Lake) Assembly District 43 District Address: 300 E. Magnolia Boulevard, Ste. 504, Burbank 91502 District Telephone: (818) 558-3043/FAX: (818) 558-3042 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2043/FAX: (916) 319-2143 Main Cities: BURBANK, GLENDALE, LA CANADA, LA CRECENTA, LOS ANGELES District Zip Codes: 90027, 90029, 90039, 90068, 90072, 91011, 91012, 91020, 91021, 91046, 91201, 91202, 91203, 91204, 91205, 91206, 91207, 91208, 91209, 91210, 91214, 91221, 91222, 91224, 91225, 91226, 91334, 91393, 91501, 91502, 91503, 91504, 91505, 91506, 91507, 91508, 91510, 91521, 91522, 91523 Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) Assembly District 51 District Address: 1910 W. Sunset Boulevard, Ste. 819, Los Angeles 90026 District Telephone: (213) 483-5151/FAX: (213) 483-5466 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2043/FAX: (916) 319-2143 Main Cities: ALHAMBRA, GLENDALE, LOS ANGELES, MONTEBELLO District Zip Codes: 90012, 90022, 90026, 90031, 90032, 90041, 90042, 90050, 90063, 90065, 90090, 90096 Assembly Adam Gray (D-Merced) Assembly District 21 District Address: 806 W. 18th Street, Merced 95340 District Telephone: (209) 726-5465/FAX: (209) 726-5469 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2021/FAX: (916) 319-2121 Main Cities: ATWATER, CHOWCHILLA, DOS PALOS, IRWIN, LIVINGSTON, LOS BANOS, MERCED, NEWMAN, PATTERSON, TURLOCK, VOLTA District Zip Codes: 93620, 93635, 93661, 93665, 95301, 95303, 95307, 95312, 95313, 95315, 95317, 95322, 95324, 95333, 95334, 95340, 95341, 95343, 95344, 95348, 95351, 95352, 95353, 95354, 95358, 95360, 95363, 95365, 95369, 95374, 95385, 95387, 95388 Assemblymember Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) Assembly District 23 District Address: 6245 N. Fresno Street, Ste. 106, Fresno 93710 District Telephone: (559) 446-2028/FAX: (559) 446-2029 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2023/FAX: (916) 319-2123 Main Cities: CLOVIS, FRESNO District Zip Codes: 93237, 93262, 93271, 93602, 93603, 93605, 93611, 93612, 93613, 93619, 93621, 93626, 93628, 93633, 93634, 93641, 93642, 93649, 93650, 93651, 93664, 93667, 93675, 93704, 93705, 93710, 93711, 93720, 93722, 93723, 93726, 93730, 93737, 93765 Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) Assembly District 4 District Address: 725 Main Street, Ste. 206, Woodland 95695 District Telephone: (530) 662-7867/FAX: (530) 662-6370 Capitol Address: California Legislature, Sacramento, CA 95814 Capitol Telephone: (916) 319-2004/FAX: (916) 319-2104 Main Cities: CLEARLAKE, DAVIS, DIXON, LAKEPORT, NAPA, ST. HELENA, WINTERS, WOODLAND, YOUNTVILLE District Zip Codes: 94503, 94508, 94515, 94558, 94559, 94562, 94567, 94573, 94574, 94576, 94581, 94599, 94928, 95416, 95422, 95423, 95424, 95426, 95431, 95435, 95442, 95443, 95451, 95452, 95453, 95457, 95458, 95461, 95464, 95467, 95485, 95493, 95606, 95607, 95612, 95616, 95617, 95618, 95620, 95627, 95637, 95645, 95653, 95679, 95694, 95695, 95697, 95698, 95776, 95912, 95937, 95950, 95987 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted April 1, 2013 an article about the proposed ban: http://www.kcet.org/news/the_back_forty/commentary/the-hidden-desert/bill-would-ban-bobcat-trapping-in-california.html http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bobcats-20130211,0,1532424.story Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
