Bobcat Trapping Banned in California Today

[Hyperwrx]

In a sad turn of events, the vote was 3-2 to ban trapping bobcats in California. Mercer and a number of others really worked hard on educating the panel. Hats off to him. TAKE NOTE ARIZONA.

 

An article covering the event today.

 

 

 

Joshua Tree residents rejoiced following the California Fish and Game Commission’s decision to ban bobcat trapping across the state Wednesday.

During the two-day meeting, the commission voted 3-2 to ban bobcat trapping across the state of California, the Department of California Fish and Wildlife announced in a statement.

“I feel a tremendous burden lifted after what happened today,” Joshua Tree resident Tom O’Key said.

For two-and-a-half years, O’Key has been working alongside community members and wildlife advocates toward a statewide ban on bobcat trapping.

On Tuesday, O’Key and other Joshua Tree residents traveled 750 miles to Fortuna for the meeting, where O’Key was among more than 100 public speakers presenting testimony before the commission’s ruling.

The regulation will prohibit bobcat trapping in the state with the exception of depredation trapping, said Jordan Traverso, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Officials said the regulation would be enforced once approved by the state Office of Administrative Law and submission to the Secretary of State. The regulations could begin before the 2015-2016 bobcat trapping season begins, officials said.

The ban makes California the 10th state to have a statewide ban against bobcat trapping. Other states include Hawaii, Indiana, Delaware, and Ohio.

Ahead of the decision, the commission deliberated between a statewide ban on bobcat trapping, or creating buffer zones prohibiting trapping near national parks and state parks.

Opponents against the buffer zones argued the partial ban would need more regulation to prevent poachers from luring bobcats out of protected areas.

The California Fish and Game Commission’s decision was part of the Bobcat Protection Act of 2013, or AB 1213, which grew out of a controversy after O’Key stumbled upon an empty bobcat trap on his property in January 2013, sparking an outrage among Joshua Tree residents.

In October 2013, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill prohibiting fur trappers from catching bobcats near national and state parks, and other wildlife refuges in California. The bill, proposed by Democratic Assemblyman Richard Bloom of Santa Monica, also prohibited trapping of bobcats on private land without the written consent of the owner.

As part of the bill, Brown requested the Legislature to work with his office to “secure funding to survey our bobcat population.”

Following the commission’s ruling Wednesday, Mercer Lawing, president of the California Trappers Association, criticized the panel’s ruling in a statement, saying: “the commission rejected Governor Jerry Brown and the California State Legislature’s recommendation for science and more information before they developed further regulations.”

Despite frustration from opposition, supporters of the ban were elated with the commission’s decision. Brendan Cummings, senior counsel for the Center for the Biological Diversity, said the ruling was significant for California wildlife.

“It’s an important step from antiquated wildlife laws into the 21st Century,” Cummings said. “The ruling affirmed the values of the majority of Californians.”

Nicole Paquette, vice president of the Wildlife Protection for the Human Society of the United States, echoed Cummings thoughts.

“Shy and elusive creatures, bobcats are solely killed for their fur, which is sold to overseas markets in Russia and China,” Paquette said in a statement.

“In the wake of the tragic death of Cecil the lion (in Zimbabwe), the public has never been more aware that killing an animal for its pelt is no worse than for a head and hide to decorate a trophy room. This decision is a much-needed step in the right direction, and we thank Assemblymember Bloom for his ongoing leadership to protect California’s bobcats from this cruel and unnecessary practice,” Paquette added.

For O’Key, the battle that started in his backyard more than two years ago has finally come to a close.

“I feel liberated,” O’Key said. “Everyone who came out in support of the ban … made a change in the most significant way.”

Mauricio Peña is the Immigration and Equality reporter at the Desert Sun. Mauricio can be reached by phone at (760) 778-4643, or by email at mauricio.pena@desertsun.com.

Read more: http://lynxcat.proboards.com/thread/6807/california#ixzz3i0DlsAme

[AverageJoe]

Wait there's bobcats in Hawaii??

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

I've never seen a bobcat in the wild.

[Guest akaspecials]

That's scary. Everyone needs to pay attention to this because the next step will be banning hunting next to national parks and monuments.

[WampusCat]

It's scary to think what that many emotional hippies can accomplish together. Never mind the drought issues, drug problems, or homeless, the important thing is emotional rulings on wildcats without any scientific research. The only good thing about that state is it draws all those hippies to one place and the can be corralled a little easier. Heres hoping they all stay over there. What will they focus their weak minds and strong hearts on next?

 

I remember when the professional activist Tom O'key found that trap. So sad it ended this way. That dang cecil didn't help this case at all.

 

I believe that O'Key goofball was the same guy calling the police on his neighbors for "light pollution". Said he couldn't see the stars well enough when they left their lights on.

[nateNAU]

What a shame. It is just a reminder to me that one bad set and the same could happen here in Arizona.

[DCS]

They are not that far from us,don't even think that it couldn't happen here.People in Phoenix and Tucson will dictate how we will live,you only have to go back as far as banning trapping on state-forrest land for an example.

[twowindy]

I wonder if they can still call them in and shoot them.This is going to bring a lot more trappers into our state.

[Guest 300ultramag.]

good for the hippies. and good for the bobcats. bad for trappers.

 

 

I wish i could make myself get upset over this but I wouldnt doubt for one second that the department would walk all over hunters to please some squeeky wheels THAT NEVER contributed to conservation.

 

 

this is the era of no back bone. I have seen 1st hand that our voice to the department falls on deaf ears. Until we talk with our pocket books and wallets they wont listen.

[ivhunter]

bobcat is on my bucket list, I need to shoot one before they put them on the protected list like the lions... once the season start I'm calling everyday!!

[Guest 300ultramag.]

I hear if you scream ceeeciiiillll into a hand call this works best for cats. Particularly big toms

[rageinthesage]

I've never seen a bobcat in the wild.

 

You must not spend very much time in the wild...

[Edge]

 

I've never seen a bobcat in the wild.

You must not spend very much time in the wild...

bs, he's not been in the right place at the right time. Ask him how many bears he's seen, its an inordinate number.

I encountered a lynx in northern WA. but no bobcats to that date. Then one day in UT saw 5 bobcats including 2 kittens.

[rageinthesage]

 

 

I've never seen a bobcat in the wild.

You must not spend very much time in the wild...

bs, he's not been in the right place at the right time. Ask him how many bears he's seen, its an inordinate number.

I encountered a lynx in northern WA. but no bobcats to that date. Then one day in UT saw 5 bobcats including 2 kittens.

Lol, I was being sarcastic Mphunter is a dedicated outdoorsman from what I can tell, those kitties can be elusive. I've only seen a handful but yet to kill one.

[Edge]

 

 

 

I've never seen a bobcat in the wild.

You must not spend very much time in the wild...

bs, he's not been in the right place at the right time. Ask him how many bears he's seen, its an inordinate number.

I encountered a lynx in northern WA. but no bobcats to that date. Then one day in UT saw 5 bobcats including 2 kittens.

Lol, I was being sarcastic Mphunter is a dedicated outdoorsman from what I can tell, those kitties can be elusive. I've only seen a handful but yet to kill one.

gotcha.

I know folks spending decades up on the rim and still ain't got a glimpse of Mogollon Man.