What's happening
This bill allows regulated use of live restraint cable devices to trap certain wildlife, with safety requirements and mandatory training.
Why it matters
Enables regulated trapping of certain wildlife (like coyotes) using live restraint cable devices. , which could affect wildlife management, population control, and potentially reduce property/livestock conflicts for landowners.
Mandates specific safety features (swivel, relaxing lock, deer stop, and break away device) on all such traps. , aiming to minimize injury to captured animals and reduce accidental harm to non-target species such as deer.
Requires trappers to check devices at least once every 24 hours and complete department-approved training. , which introduces oversight and accountability, potentially reducing animal suffering and promoting responsible use.
Authorizes the Department of Environmental Conservation to set additional regulations and timeframes for use. , providing flexibility to adjust rules based on ecological needs or public concerns, and making the policy adaptive rather than fixed.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Regulated Wildlife Cable Traps
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
260
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. ORTT -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the regulation of live restraint cable devices to take wildlife; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 5 of section 11-1101 of the environmental conservation law is amended to read as follows:
5. a. Except as provided in subdivision 1 or 2 of section 11-0523 of this article with respect to destructive and menacing wildlife, no person shall (a) set or use a trap of the leg-gripping type having teeth in the jaws; (b) set a leg hold trap so that wildlife when caught is suspended; (c) use, locate or set a snare or a device consisting of a noose of any material whereby an animal may be taken.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph a of this subdivision, the department may, by regulation, authorize the use of live restraint cable devices to take coyote and other species as allowed by the department in the state. The use of live restraint cable devices shall only be permitted for a period of time specified by the department beginning no earlier than December first. Such regulations shall include live cable restraint devices consisting of at least one swivel, a relaxing lock, a deer stop, and a break away device. Such regulations shall also require that any person using a live restraint cable shall check such device at least once every twenty-four hours. For the purposes of this provision:
(a) a swivel is a device incorporated at the end of the cable restraint which allows the captured animal to freely rotate;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02198-01-9
S. 260 2
(b) a relaxing lock is a device that allows the cable loop to stop restricting when the captured animal stops pulling;
(c) a deer stop is a device incorporated into the loop of the cable restraint that keeps the cable restraint from closing beyond a specified circumference to allow deer that may encounter the restraint to escape; and
(d) a break away device allows the loop of the cable restraint to break open when a specified amount of force is applied.
Trappers using live cable restraint devices must complete a training course in their construction and use offered by the department.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed February 16, 2022.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the regulation of live restraint cable devices to take wildlife; and provid- ing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
Purpose or general idea of bill
To authorize the department of environmental conservation to authorize the use of and to regulate live restraint cable devices in certain areas of the State.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends the environmental conservation law section 11-1101 (5) to authorize the department of environmental conservation, by regulation, to permit the use of live cable restraint devices to take coyote and other species as allowed by the department. These regulations shall include live cable restraint devices consisting of at least (1) one swivel (a device incorporated at the end of the cable restraint which allows the captured animal to freely rotate); (2) a relaxing lock (a device that allows the cable loop to stop restricting when the captured animal stops pulling); (3) a deer stop (a device incorporated into the loop of the cable restraint that keeps the cable restraint from closing beyond a specified circumference to allow deer that may encount- er the restraint to escape); and (4) a break away device (allows the loop of the cable restraint to break open when a specified amount of force is applied). Also requires traps to be checked a minimum of once every 24 hours and that the season shall start no sooner than December 1.
Read the full memo (625 words)
Section 1 also provides that trappers using live cable restraint devices must complete a training course in their construction and use offered by the department.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Live cable restraints are an effective tool for the live capture of many furbearer species including coyotes and meet international humane stand- ards. The association of Fish and Wildlife agencies has approved them as a best management practice for coyotes, red fox, grey fox, raccoon, beaver and bobcat.
The October 2012 management plan for bobcat in New York State talks about cable restraints as a best management practice approved device. Trappers use cable restraints as they are an inexpensive, efficient safe and easy to use tool. Cable restraints are effective in all weather conditions and are not as susceptible to the freeze-thaw conditions of the State.
Live restraint devices operate on the same principle as a "linked" relaxing dog collar: when the animal pulls on the cable, the loop closes down: when the animal stops pulling, the loop relaxes. Consequently, animals captured in these devices typically show little or no injury. Live cable restraints are currently used in 38 states and most Canadian provinces. Missouri (2004), Wisconsin (2004), Michigan (2005), and Penn- sylvania (2005) changed their trapping regulations to allow the use of live cable restraints. All of these states have habitats, trapping conditions, and furbearer species that are comparable to those of New York.
The design features that are essential to the proper and humane func- tioning of live restraint cables are required to be included in the regulations to be established by Department of Environmental Conserva- tion. The use of live cable restraints is a humane way of trapping animals.
Prior legislative history
S. 372C/ referred to Senate Environmental Conservation Committee 2015/2016 S. 2953C/A. 9462A Passed Senate 2014: A9137-A referred to environmental conservations; same as S548-C (Grisanti) passed Senate; 2013: A4023A (Gabryszak) referred to environmental conservation; 2012: A6203 (Gabryszak) referred to environmental conservations; same as S4213 (Grisanti) passed Senate; 2010: A6089 (DelMonte) referred to environmental conservation; same as S3542 (Aubertine) referred to environmental conservation
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed February 16, 2020.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.