PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE….June 30, 2016
CONTACT
TIM PROVOW,tprovow@gmail.com;406-360-6332
CONNIE POTEN,406-274-4791,rattlefarm@gmail.com
The Montana Trap-Free Public Lands Initiative, I-177, has qualified for the November 8, 2016 ballot. Montana Trap-Free Public Lands is a ballot initiative committee based in Missoula and supported by volunteer coordinators statewide. Volunteer and hired signature gatherers gathered more than 24,175 qualified signatures required for the ballot.
Members of Footloose Montana, a non-profit corporation supporting trap-free public lands, formed the ballot initiative committee.
Montana Trap-Free Public Lands missed qualifying a similar initiative in 2010 by about 1,500 signatures. I-177 will end commercial and recreational trapping on public lands. People, pets and wildlife will be free of indiscriminate, hidden and baited traps.
Trapping to protect livestock and property, for health and safety will continue if non-lethal methods have tried and failed. Trapping for wildlife management such as reintroduction and medical needs are allowed in I-177.
The Attorney General’s summary of I-177:
I-177 generally prohibits the use of traps and snares for animals on any public lands within Montana and establishes misdemeanor criminal penalties for violations of the trapping prohibitions. I-177 allows the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to use certain traps on public land when necessary if nonlethal methods have been tried and found ineffective. I-177 allows trapping by public employees and their agents to protect public health and safety, protect livestock and property, or conduct specified scientific and wildlife management activities. I-177, if passed by the electorate, will become effective immediately.
Exposing the Big Game 
Wow! Congrats to the heroes & supporters of Footloose Montana for bringing the Initiative this far! I hope it passes this time around, but I am very inspired even if it has to be revisited. This is a gigantic, empowering milestone. I bow to all who worked tirelessly to make this happen. I am beyond thrilled!
Reblogged this on Council for all wildlife.
Reblogged this on Howling For Justice and commented:
Reblogged on Howling for Justice
This is great news.
I hope this starts an end to trapping we need this to stop hunting is one thing trapping is inhumane and does great suffering to any animal trapped , also how could people walk their dogs knowing traps are out their. This restricts the freedom of people who like to walk in the wild. Montana is a great open place , it is outright stupid to lay traps where people like to walk, this is one great thing about the state is it’s open land. Now you make people afraid to walk their animals, it should be a crime if any pet gets caught in a trap. This sate like some western states went backwards went allowing trapping in their states. I live in a much smaller state and I do not have to worry about trapping , this is so stupid , I believe this is all for the ranchers and hunters.