SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 542

BYHouse Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Patrick, Holland, S. Wilson, Sutherland, May and Jacobsen)

Prohibiting placement of traps on private property without permission.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 31, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass as amended.

     Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; DeJarnatt, Vice Chairman; Barr, Craswell, McDonald, Peterson.

Senate Staff:Ross Antipa (786-7413)

                March 31, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, MARCH 31, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Game regulates trapping of wildlife.  A prospective trapper must obtain an annual license at a cost of $30 for residents over 15 years of age and $150 for non-residents.  The license entitles the person to trap fur bearing animals.  The Game Department determines by rule what animals are considered fur bearers.  These include beaver, muskrat, raccoon, coyote, etc.

Trappers must attach to each trap their name and address in letters at least one-eighth inch high.

In a typical year, the department issues between 1,000 to 1,200 licenses.  In the 1985-86 season, licensed individuals captured 10,004 muskrat, 5,664 beaver, 2,766 coyote, and 2,258 raccoon, to name the four most frequently trapped animals.

Trappers may trap on private property without the owner's permission and they have, on several occasions, caught pets in their traps.

SUMMARY:

A trapper must have permission of private property owners in order to trap on private property.

A landowner may remove a trap placed on his/her property without the trapper's permission, and must then notify the Game Department in a reasonable amount of time.  People who place traps on posted private property, as defined in RCW 9A.52, are guilty of trespass and subject to civil penalties.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

A trapper must have written permission from the property owner, lessee, or tenant in order to trap on private property.  Property owners, lessees, or tenants are not required to notify the Game Department if they remove unauthorized traps from their property.  Illegal trapping on private property is punishable by a minimum fine of $500 and revocation of a trapper's license.

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   Mike Thorniley, trapper; Don Torget, landowner; Ellen Wicklund, landowner; Rich Poelker, Game Department; Virginia Knouse, PAWS