Encourage education and outreach to inform the public about the role of regulated trapping in balanced wildlife management.

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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Blackwell

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 97

A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS TO 1
INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ROLE OF REGULATED TRAPPING IN BALANCED 2
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT. 3
WHEREAS, regulated trapping has long served as a vital and 4
scientifically grounded tool for wildlife conservation and 5
management, enabling state, federal, and tribal agencies to 6
maintain balanced ecosystems, control predator populations, and 7
protect critical habitats essential for biodiversity and species 8
recovery; and 9
WHEREAS, trapping plays a pivotal role in furbearer 10
management by protecting endangered and vulnerable species during 11
key life-cycle stages, such as ground-nesting birds and sea 12
turtles, while facilitating the successful reintroduction of 13
populations like river otter and beaver, thereby promoting healthy 14
wildlife communities across diverse landscapes; and 15
WHEREAS, through targeted predator management, trapping 16
significantly enhances waterfowl production in high-density 17
breeding areas where it reduces predation on duck eggs by species 18
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such as raccoons and skunks, boosting nest success rates from as 19
low at 5%-10% to the 15%-20% threshold needed for stable 20
populations, ultimately increasing duck numbers by tens of 21
thousands and restoring natural breeding potential; and 22
WHEREAS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes 23
trapping as an integral component of integrated pest management on 24
national wildlife refuges, regulated under federal laws to 25
sustainably manage wildlife populations, eradicate invasive 26
species, control pests, and safeguard refuge infrastructure while 27
ensuring compliance with state licensing and humane standards to 28
include trapping of feral wild pig populations across 35 states 29
that inflict $2.5 Billion in damages; and 30
WHEREAS, according to the 2024 Association of Fish and 31
Wildlife Agencies, trapping survey, regulated private trapping 32
subsidizes nuisance control – preventing escalated damage and 33
avoiding higher expenses for taxpayers saving, on average, $16.5 34
Million Dollars; and 35
WHEREAS, trapping provides essential benefits, including 36
disease control, economic value through fur harvesting, prevention 37
of costly damage like beaver-induced flooding, and effective 38
population regulation of overabundant species to prevent habitat 39
degradation supporting native wildlife recovery; and 40
WHEREAS, only abundant wildlife species are subject to 41
regulated trapping seasons set by Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries 42
and Parks under scientifically based laws that monitor 43
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ST: Encourage education and outreach to inform
the public about the role of regulated trapping
in balanced wildlife management.
populations, while also providing education and licensing programs 44
to foster ethical practices among participants, reflecting 45
widespread public support for trapping as a responsible 46
stewardship of natural resources; and 47
WHEREAS, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Fish 48
and Wildlife Service, on the national level trappers contribute 49
$884 Million in GDP from related spending: 50
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 51
MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize that regulated trapping 52
is an essential, humane, and effective component of modern 53
wildlife management and conservation in Mississippi. 54
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Mississippi encourages education 55
and outreach efforts to inform the public about the role of 56
regulated trapping in balanced wildlife management and sustainable 57
resource use. 58
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be 59
transmitted to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries 60
and Parks, all Mississippi Congressional delegates, and local and 61
regional media sources so that they may know and appreciate the 62
contributions from trappers to state wildlife management. 63