As expected, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation this week banning all recreational trapping. California already had some of the most restrictive trapping regulations in the country following a 1998 ballot initiative that banned the most commonly used traps, such as conibear, foot hold traps and snares.

By eliminating all trapping, Gov. Newsome and the California legislature have removed an important wildlife management tool, and it is highly likely that residents of California will see an increase in unwanted encounters with wildlife, the possibility of increased rabies outbreaks and increased budget issues as the state will require more resources to deal with the fallout.

Additionally, farmers and ranchers now stand to lose more of their livestock to predation, particularly from coyotes, who accounted for 59 percent of calf deaths in 2015, according to the USDA.

“It’s no secret that neither the California legislature, nor their governor, care about the ramifications of this action on citizens, nor the rights of sportsmen,” said Luke Houghton, associate state director state services for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “It’s disappointing that they continually downplay the impact this ban will have on livestock and public safety. Just a few short weeks ago a coyote attacked a pet in the Palm Spring area and in June a coyote killed a family dog inside their home in San Dimas. Ignoring all science and advice from wildlife experts, Gov. Newsom and the California legislature continue to make sure that their state is the most anti-hunting state in America.”

About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research.  Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.