H-0458.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1057

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representative Romero

Read first time 01/13/1999.  Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.

Trapping animals.

    AN ACT Relating to animal trapping; amending RCW 77.12.040, 77.32.191, and 77.32.197; and adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Trappers licensed under RCW 77.32.010 shall not use leghold traps.  The director shall adopt rules to implement this section.

    (2) For purposes of this section, "leghold trap" means a spring-powered trap, featuring two metal jaws that clap shut on an animal's leg when the animal steps on a weight-sensitive trigger.  These traps are known as:  Steel leghold traps; steel-jawed traps; leghold traps; foothold traps; long-spring traps; coilspring traps; underspring or jump traps; and guarded or stop-loss traps.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 77.12.040 and 1987 c 506 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

Except as provided in section 1 of this act, the commission shall adopt, amend, or repeal, and enforce reasonable rules prohibiting or governing the time, place, and manner of taking or possessing game animals, game birds, or game fish.  The commission may specify the quantities, species, sex, and size of game animals, game birds, or game fish that may be taken or possessed.  The commission shall regulate the taking, sale, possession, and distribution of wildlife and deleterious exotic wildlife.  The director may adopt emergency rules under RCW 77.12.150.

    The commission may establish by rule game reserves and closed areas where hunting for wild animals or wild birds may be prohibited and closed waters where fishing for game fish may be prohibited.

    Sec. 3.  RCW 77.32.191 and 1991 sp.s. c 7 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

    A state trapping license allows the holder to trap fur-bearing animals throughout the state; however, a trapper may not place traps on private property without written permission of the owner, lessee, or tenant ((where the land is improved and apparently used, or where the land is fenced or enclosed in a manner designed to exclude intruders or to indicate a property boundary line, or where notice is given by posting in a conspicuous manner)).  A state trapping license is void on April 1st following the date of issuance.  The fee for this license is thirty-six dollars for residents sixteen years of age or older, fifteen dollars for residents under sixteen years of age, and one hundred eighty dollars for nonresidents.

    Sec. 4.  RCW 77.32.197 and 1987 c 506 s 82 are each amended to read as follows:

    Persons purchasing a state trapping license for the first time shall present certification of completion of a course of instruction in safe, humane, and proper trapping techniques or pass an examination to establish that the applicant has the requisite knowledge.

    The director shall establish a program for training persons in trapping techniques and responsibilities, ((including)) emphasizing the use of trapping devices designed to painlessly capture or instantly kill.  The director shall cooperate with national and state animal, humane, hunter education, and trapping organizations in the development of a curriculum.  Upon successful completion of the course, trainees shall receive a trapper's training certificate signed by an authorized instructor.  This certificate is evidence of compliance with this section.

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