A RESOLUTION recognizing regulated trapping as an essential, humane, and effective component of modern wildlife management and conservation.

UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2595
Page 1 of 2
XXXX 3/25/2026 2:32 PM Jacketed
A RESOLUTION recognizing regulated trapping as an essential, humane, and 1
effective component of modern wildlife management and conservation. 2
WHEREAS, regulated tra pping has long served as a vital and scientifically 3
grounded tool for wildlife conservation and management, enabling state, federal, and 4
tribal agencies to maintain balanced ecosystems, control predator populations, and protect 5
critical habitats essential for biodiversity and species recovery; and 6
WHEREAS, trapping plays a pivotal role in furbearer management by protecting 7
endangered and vulnerable species, such as ground -nesting birds or sea turtles, during 8
key life cycle stages, while facilitating the suc cessful reintroduction of populations like 9
river otter and beaver, thereby promoting healthy wildlife communities across diverse 10
landscapes; and 11
WHEREAS, through targeted predator management, trapping significantly 12
enhances waterfowl production in high -density breeding areas by reducing predation on 13
duck eggs from species such as raccoons and skunks, which boosts nest success rates 14
from as low as 5 to 10 percent to the threshold of 15 to 20 percent needed for stable 15
populations and ultimately increases duck numbers by tens of thousands and restores 16
natural breeding potential; and 17
WHEREAS, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes trapping as an 18
important component of integrated pest management on national wildlife refuges. 19
Through trapping that is regulated under federal laws to sustainably manage wildlife 20
populations, trappers can eradicate invasive species, control pests, and safeguard refuge 21
infrastructure while ensuring compliance with state licensing and humane standards. For 22
example, trappi ng of feral wild pig populations on national wildlife refuges across 35 23
states has been an important tool to mitigate the 2.5 billion dollars in damages that they 24
have caused; and 25
WHEREAS, according to the 2024 Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 26
trapping survey, regulated private trapping subsidizes nuisance control, preventing 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2595
Page 2 of 2
XXXX 3/25/2026 2:32 PM Jacketed
escalated damage and avoiding higher expenses for taxpayers, saving an average of 16.5 1
million dollars annually; and 2
WHEREAS, trapping provides essential benefits, including d isease control, 3
economic value through fur harvesting, prevention of costly damage like beaver -induced 4
flooding, and effective population regulation of overabundant species to prevent habitat 5
degradation, which supports native wildlife recovery; and 6
WHEREAS, only abundant wildlife species are subject to regulated trapping 7
seasons set by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources under scientifically based 8
laws that monitor populations, reflecting widespread public support for trapping as a 9
responsible stewardship of the Commonwealth's natural resources; and 10
WHEREAS, according to the most recent data from the United States Fish and 11
Wildlife Service, trappers contribute 884 million dollars annually to the United States' 12
gross domestic product on the national level from related spending; 13
NOW, THEREFORE, 14
Be it re solved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 15
Kentucky: 16
Section 1. The Senate recognizes regulated trapping as an essential, humane, 17
and effective component of modern wildlife management and conservation in the 18
Commonwealth. 19
Section 2. The Senate encourages education and outreach ef forts to inform the 20
public about the role of regulated trapping in balanced wildlife management and 21
sustainable resource use. 22
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 23
Resolution and notif ication of its adoption to Rich Storm, commissioner, Department of 24
Fish and Wildlife Resources, #1 Sportsman's Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601, and the 25
Kentucky congressional delegation, so that they may know and appreciate the 26
contributions from trappers to state wildlife management. 27