Provides that snapping turtles may be taken with the hands or by trapping

BILL NUMBER:S2170B

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to snapping turtles; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to provide for the regulated trapping, netting, poling or catching of snapping turtles, which can currently only be taken by gun or longbow.

Summary of provisions

Section one amends Subdivision 10 of section 11-0701 of the Environmental Conservation Law to include snapping turtles among the small game animals permitted to be taken by an appropriately licensed trapper.

Section two clarifies that snapping turtles, in addition to other specified game, can be taken by specified means other than the use of a gun or longbow.

Section three establishes Department of Environmental Conservation authority to regulate the taking of snapping turtles, and set seasons, bag limits and areas.

Section four amends subdivision 1 of section 11-1103 the Environmental Conservation Law to include snapping turtles among the small game animals permitted to be taken by an appropriately licensed trapper

Justification

Snapping turtles were historically harvested for food in the absence of any regulatory measures to limit harvest. Several commercial collectors reportedly harvested thousands of turtles using a variety of methods, including taking of turtles prior to the females having nested for the year. Several years ago, snapping turtles were designated as small game in the Fish and Wildlife Law, allowing for their regulatory protection. Measures are in place to limit the daily and seasonal take of snapping turtles and to protect egg-bearing females prior to nesting, and young turtles that have not reached reproductive size, helping to ensure self-sustaining populations of snapping turtles for the future. Most individuals who harvested snapping turtles before they became "small game" did so primarily by hand, net, pole or turtle trap. Currently, however, the only legal method to take snapping turtles is by shooting by longbow or gun. This bill would authorize snapping turtles to be taken by hand, net or trap. Furthermore, this legislation would provide a mechanism whereby nuisance snapping turtles can be trapped live and relocated. Under existing law snapping turtles can only be taken by gun or longbow.

Legislative history

S.2170 (Passed Senate) / A2490 of 2013; S.7003A/A.3784 of 2012; A.3784 of 2011 A.11341 of 2010.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed on and after September 30, 2015.