Trap legislation advances from committee

Legislation advanced out of the House Resources Committee last week, which would allow municipalities to set their own rules to control trapping.

House Bill 201 was proposed last month by Anchorage Democrat Rep. Andy Josephson. Under the bill’s language, municipal actions would be limited to preventing injuries to people and domestic animals. Municipalities could not limit reasonable opportunities for subsistence trapping activities, and could choose to exempt trappers from any trapping ordinances.

In the sponsor statement, Josephson explains the piece of legislation is the result of public input during deliberations over H.B. 40, a bill he cosponsored which proposed barring trapping within 200 feet of certain public areas.

“Public testimony indicated that municipalities may be better able to tailor specific regulations to promote safe trapping, given the vast lands and diversity of uses in Alaska,” he explained. “However, it was also argued that municipalities do not have authorization under state law or the state Constitution to regulate trapping.”

Citing a decision by the Attorney General in 1982, he argued municipalities can still indirectly regulate game when dealing with incidental effects such as public safety concerns. Fifteen municipalities already regulate trapping in some way, Josephson explained, spanning from prohibitions on trapping domestic animals to that on trapping within the entire jurisdiction.

If passed, the bill could potentially see some application in Wrangell. Resident Steve Prysunka had a run-in with a leg-hold trap two years ago while running a search and rescue training exercise for his dog by the airport. He estimated the trap was about 250 yards from the roadway, well within state limits, but had not been marked or identifiable.

“They had stuck a duck in the crook of a tree,” he recalled, which drew the attention – and caught the leg – of his dog. “It was horrible. You can quote me. The dog was biting me as I was trying to release him from the trap.”

He had some help, and was able to free the dog without serious injury to either party. Prysunka noted that most trappers in the area are helpful, posting signage and such to warn off passersby. A member of the Assembly, he said he could see the value in setting up some additional regulations to prevent future such mishaps from occurring.

A committee substitute for H.B. 201 advanced out of the House Resources Committee on Monday, and awaits referral.