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Summary of Question 1

This proposed law would prohibit the use of certain traps for fur-bearing mammals, prohibit certain methods of hunting bear or bobcat, and eliminates some restrictions on who may serve on the state Fisheries and Wildlife Board.

The proposed law would prohibit the use, setting, manufacture, or possession of any trap to capture fur-bearing mammals, except common mouse and rat traps, nets, and box or cage traps that confine a whole animal without grasping any part of it. Traps designed to grip an animal's body or body part, crush as steel jaw leghold traps, padded leghold traps, and snares, would be prohibited. Federal and state health officials could use such traps in case of a threat to human health or safety. Where a property owner had reasonably tried but failed to correct an animal problem on the property using a legal trap, the owner could apply for and the state Director of Fisheries and Wildlife could issue a permit to use a prohibited type of trap, except a leghold trap, for up to 30 days to correct the problem.

A person violating any of these requirements could be punished by a fine of between $300 and $1000, or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both, for each prohibited trap and each day of violation. A person convicted for a second violation would be required to surrender, and could never again obtain, any trapping license or problem animal control permit.

The proposed law would also prohibit the pursuit or hunting of bear or bobcat with the aid of a dog or dogs. Hunting bear using any type of bait, lure, or attraction, or knowingly hunting bear in a baited area, would also be prohibited. The Director could allow the use of dogs or bait in legitimate scientific research projects and in order to control particular animals that posed a threat to human safety or that destroyed livestock, property, or crops.

Violators could be punished by a fine of between $300 and $1000, or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both, for each violation. A person convicted for a second violation would be required to surrender, and could never again obtain, any hunting and dog training licenses and permits.

The proposed law would eliminate the requirement that five members of the state Fisheries and Wildlife Board have held sporting licenses in the state for five consecutive years and that four members represent fishing, hunting, and trapping interests.

The proposed law states that if any of its provisions were declared invalid, the other provisions would remain in effect.

1996 - Berkshire County - Question 1Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 1, 1996?

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Berkshire County Results
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City/Town Ward Pct Blanks Total Votes Cast
Totals
26,717
26,588
8,492 61,797
Adams
 
1,743
2,061
470
4,274
Alford
 
129
102
12
243
Becket
 
234
317
150
701
Cheshire
 
667
975
86
1,728
Clarksburg
 
355
409
49
813
Dalton
 
1,386
1,607
382
3,375
Egremont
 
369
304
40
713
Florida
 
118
225
12
355
Great Barrington
 
1,463
1,186
627
3,276
Hancock
 
141
184
18
343
Hinsdale
 
363
451
72
886
Lanesborough
 
496
676
257
1,429
Lee
 
1,038
1,254
440
2,732
Lenox
 
1,295
1,136
346
2,777
Monterey
 
254
199
19
472
Mount Washington
 
41
32
1
74
New Ashford
 
56
58
4
118
New Marlborough
 
278
303
41
622
N. Adams
 
2,777
2,266
663
5,706
Otis
 
356
190
82
628
Peru
 
121
215
18
354
Pittsfield
 
7,952
8,251
4,013
20,216
Richmond
 
487
427
41
955
Sandisfield
 
141
163
26
330
Savoy
 
125
179
14
318
Sheffield
 
737
731
95
1,563
Stockbridge
 
734
467
73
1,274
Tyringham
 
67
138
14
219
Washington
 
118
188
12
318
W. Stockbridge
 
352
395
38
785
Williamstown
 
2,145
1,249
358
3,752
Windsor
 
179
250
19
448
County Totals
26,717
26,588
8,492 61,797