Earlier this week, the New York Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation advanced legislation that would allow the use of live restraint cable traps in the northern zone of the state.
The bill, SB 548 sponsored by Senator Mark Grisanti (R-North Buffalo), passed the committee by a unanimous vote of 13-0.
“Trappers in New York are currently limited in options for pursuing their sport and this legislation could expand opportunities for them in the state,” said Tony Celebrezze, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance director of state services. “This bill is a step in the right direction toward allowing trappers the freedom to use all available technology.”
The same bill cleared the full Senate in 2013, but failed to pass the Assembly and was returned to the Senate at the end of the year.
A companion bill in the Assembly, AB 9137 sponsored Thomas Abinanti (D-Greenburgh/Mt. Pleasant) is currently assigned to the Assembly Environmental Conservation committee.