BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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| SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER |
| Senator Fran Pavley, Chair |
| 2013-2014 Regular Session |
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BILL NO: AB 1213 HEARING DATE: June 25, 2013
AUTHOR: Bloom URGENCY: No
VERSION: June 20, 2013 CONSULTANT: Leonardo Scherer
Alves
DUAL REFERRAL: No FISCAL: Yes
SUBJECT: Bobcat Protection Act of 2013.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
Current statute establishes that bobcats are not game mammals.
No person is allowed to pursue, take or possess any bobcat
without a trapping or a hunting license and bobcat hunting tags.
The hunting season of bobcats is from October 15 through
February 28, and the bag limit is five bobcats per season. The
trapping season of bobcats is from November 24 through January
31. There is no bag limit under a trapping license.
PROPOSED LAW
This bill would enact the Bobcat Protection Act of 2013.
Specifically, this bill would:
Beginning in January 2014, make it unlawful to trap any
bobcat in the area surrounding Joshua Tree National Park.
Require the Fish and Game Commission (commission), after
January 2014, to prohibit the trapping of bobcats adjacent
to the boundaries of each national or state park and
national monument or national wildlife refuge in which
bobcat trapping is currently prohibited, and within and/or
adjacent to any other public or private conservation areas
identified by the commission for protection.
Requests the commission to use readily identifiable
features to delineate the area where bobcat trapping is
prohibited.
Exempts employees of the Department of Fish and
Wildlife, acting in an official capacity, to a taking in
accordance with specific criteria, or lawful taking of
bobcats found to be causing damage to crops or property.
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Makes it unlawful to trap bobcats, after January 2014,
on any private property not belonging to the trapper or
without written consent by the owner of the property.
Allows the commission to set trapping licenses for the
2014-2015 season, and subsequent seasons, at the level
necessary to recover all reasonable administrative and
implementation costs of the department and the commission
associated with the trapping of bobcats in the state.
Does not set a limit on the ability of the department or
the commission to further impose requirements,
restrictions, or prohibitions related to the taking of
bobcats, including a complete prohibition on the trapping
of bobcats.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
A Joshua Tree resident writes "as of January of this year, all
the bobcats that I had kept detailed filed notes on for over a
decade have disappeared. When traps were found on private
properties throughout our community I realized that my bobcats
had likely been trapped and killed. Many other Joshua Tree
residents have had similar experiences, with the bobcats they
had observed and appreciated for years disappearing during the
trapping season."
A broadband coalition of environmentalist and others says
"current law places no limits on how many bobcats an individual
trapper can kill ? such unregulated trapping can deplete local
bobcat populations, and if the increase in trapping continues
unabated, could lead to viability concerns for the species in
parts of California."
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION
A number of opponents argue the bill should be narrowed to
apply only to Joshua Tree National Park since this is the
genesis of the bill and the complaints are a local district
issue.
The California Trappers Association believes " if AB 1213
is enacted, it will have a negative economic impact on the
income of those who trap fur bearing mammals, trapping
supply businesses, and on the fur industry itself. It would
adversely affect the economy of local businesses in areas
where trapping occurs."
The Inyo County Board of Supervisors states " it is
imperative to our small rural county to protect and support
those industries, like hunting and trapping, that help to
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promote our tourist based economy for the benefit of your
constituency in Inyo County."
COMMENTS
Bobcat Factoids. Bobcats and other predators have an important
role to play in the ecosystem. These animals are greatly
involved in maintaining in balance a number of small animal
populations. Without these predators an increase in the number
of rodents is expected. Without their natural predator these
pests will possibly cause serious problems to farmers.
Additionally, two of the ten geographic regions of California
account for 60% of the commercial bobcat harvest in the state.
Such large geographical differences could pose a significant
localized decrease in population genetic variability, which
ultimately would cause an overall decrease in the ability of the
species to cope with various diseases. Genetic variability is
fundamental to ensure long-term survival of any species.
Big demand for pelts. The driver for the increase in the number
of trappers, and in the number of animals harvest is the demand
for bobcat pelt. Annual bobcat take increased 57% from 2009-2010
to 2010-2011. The increase from 2010-2011 to 2011-2012 was 51%,
statewide. The rise in the demand for bobcat pelt abroad has
the potential of substantially increasing the price of the pelt.
A trend observed in the past shows that as result of increasing
in pelt price, there is an increase the number of trappers and
bobcat taking for commercial purposes. In 2011, according to the
Western States Fur Auction, all bobcats' pelts available for
auction were sold, at an average of $572.21. According to the
trappers the prices are back to the high levels of a couple
years ago. The most current data reported on the bobcat harvest
assessment shows the average price of bobcat pelt to be $78 for
the 2008-2009 season. This is over 700% increase in price over
the past few years.
Data . There is no trustworthy assessment of the numbers of
bobcats in the state of California. Without that information it
is impossible to determine an ecologically sound harvest limit
for bobcats.
Not a statewide ban. This bill establishes a series of
prohibitions to bobcat trappings such as adjacent to state park
where bobcat trapping is currently prohibited and on private
property without consent by the owner. However the commission is
allowed to continue to sell trapping licenses for any subsequent
season in which bobcat trapping is allowed.
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Survey. This bill was amended in Assembly Committee on
Appropriations and all the reporting and management requirements
have been stripped due to costs. However, the author's office
believes the department and the commission will study bobcats on
its statewide predator management study. This data will provide
greater level of certainty to know if these regulations are
sufficient or unnecessary.
SUPPORT
Alameda Creek Alliance
Animal Welfare Institute
Battle Creek Alliance
Born Free USA
California Chaparral Institute
Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation
Christians Caring for Creation
Conservation Congress
Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch
Endangered Habitats League
Environmental Protection Information Center
Foothills Conservancy
Friends of the Santa Clara River
Helping Our Peninsula's Environment
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Los Padres ForestWatch
Moms Advocating Sustainability
Morongo Basin Conservation Association
North County Watch
Ojai Wildlife League
PawPAC
Project Coyote
Raptors Are the Solution
San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper
Save the Frogs
Sequoia ForestKeeper
Sierra Club, California
Tehama Wild Care
Terra Foundation
Turtle Island Restoration Network
West Marin Environmental Action Committee
Wild Equity Institute
Wild Heritage Planners
WildCare
Wildlife Alive
1 Individual
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OPPOSITION
3G's Hay and Grain
Aiton Fur Company
Alcalde Ranch
Animal Pest Management Services
Arizona Trappers Association
Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce
California Cattlemen's Association
California Chamber of Commerce
California Farm Bureau Federation
California Houndsmen for Conservation
California Rifle and Pistol Association
California Sportsman's Lobby
California Trappers Association
County of Inyo Board of Supervisors
Crit'R Call
Custom Stump Grinders
Gun Owners of California
Intentional Contracting, Inc.
National Trappers Association
National Wild Turkey Federation
Outdoor Sportsmen's Coalition of California
Safari Club International
Society for the Protection and Care of Wildlife
Many Individuals
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