Bill Text: MS SR97 | 2026 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Encourage education and outreach to inform the public about the role of regulated trapping in balanced wildlife management.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Failed) 2026-04-15 - Died In Committee [SR97 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-SR97-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blackwell
Senate Resolution 97
A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ROLE OF REGULATED TRAPPING IN BALANCED WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.
WHEREAS, regulated trapping has long served as a vital and scientifically grounded tool for wildlife conservation and management, enabling state, federal, and tribal agencies to maintain balanced ecosystems, control predator populations, and protect critical habitats essential for biodiversity and species recovery; and
WHEREAS, trapping plays a pivotal role in furbearer management by protecting endangered and vulnerable species during key life-cycle stages, such as ground-nesting birds and sea turtles, while facilitating the successful reintroduction of populations like river otter and beaver, thereby promoting healthy wildlife communities across diverse landscapes; and
WHEREAS, through targeted predator management, trapping significantly enhances waterfowl production in high-density breeding areas where it reduces predation on duck eggs by species such as raccoons and skunks, boosting nest success rates from as low at 5%-10% to the 15%-20% threshold needed for stable populations, ultimately increasing duck numbers by tens of thousands and restoring natural breeding potential; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes trapping as an integral component of integrated pest management on national wildlife refuges, regulated under federal laws to sustainably manage wildlife populations, eradicate invasive species, control pests, and safeguard refuge infrastructure while ensuring compliance with state licensing and humane standards to include trapping of feral wild pig populations across 35 states that inflict $2.5 Billion in damages; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2024 Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, trapping survey, regulated private trapping subsidizes nuisance control � preventing escalated damage and avoiding higher expenses for taxpayers saving, on average, $16.5 Million Dollars; and
WHEREAS, trapping provides essential benefits, including disease control, economic value through fur harvesting, prevention of costly damage like beaver-induced flooding, and effective population regulation of overabundant species to prevent habitat degradation supporting native wildlife recovery; and
WHEREAS, only abundant wildlife species are subject to regulated trapping seasons set by Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks under scientifically based laws that monitor populations, while also providing education and licensing programs to foster ethical practices among participants, reflecting widespread public support for trapping as a responsible stewardship of natural resources; and
WHEREAS, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on the national level trappers contribute $884 Million in GDP from related spending:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize that regulated trapping is an essential, humane, and effective component of modern wildlife management and conservation in Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Mississippi encourages education and outreach efforts to inform the public about the role of regulated trapping in balanced wildlife management and sustainable resource use.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, all Mississippi Congressional delegates, and local and regional media sources so that they may know and appreciate the contributions from trappers to state wildlife management.
