BILL ANALYSIS THIRD READING SB 380 Hayden (D) 1/24/94 21 SUBJECT: Bobcats: special protection SOURCE: Author ____________________________________________________________________________ DIGEST: This bill bans killing of bobcats for commercial purposes. ANALYSIS: Under existing law and regulations, bobcats are considered a šnongame mammal that can only be hunted in accordance with regulations šadopted by the Fish and Game Commission. (Fish & G.C. 4150.) Under šthese regulations bobcats can be hunted provided that a trapper's license šor hunting license and bobcat hunting tags are obtained. Hunters are šallowed to purchase one book of five tags for a purchase price of $8. šBobcats that are injuring crops or other property may be hunted at any time šwith notice to DFG within 30 days of taking a bobcat. (Cal. Code Regs. štit. 14, 478 et seq.) This bill bans the killing of bobcats for purposes of deriving a profit. Comment According to information provided by the author, bobcats (Lynx Rufus) are šthe most common wild cats in North America. At 23-27 inches long and 10-25 špounds, they are twice the size of an average domestic cat. Bobcats štypically live 10-14 years in the wild and bear an average of 2-3 young per šyear. According to DFG, the current population is about 70,000 statewide with šabout 50,000 kittens born annually. The average annual take for the past š10 years has been about 5,600 with a sharp decline for the past five years. In 1991-92, 1,502 šbobcats were taken. According to information provided by DFG, bobcat management guidelines are šapproved under the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in šEndangered Species (CITES). Under CITES, no more than 14,400 bobcats may šbe taken in California annually from hunting, trapping, and damage control šprograms. FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Committee: Yes Local: Yes SUPPORT: (Verified 1/26/94) Mountain Lion Foundation Sierra Club Friends of Tehachapi Fund for Animals Fur-Bearer Defenders Humane Legislative Network Humane Society of Napa County California Federation for Animal Legislation Center for Animal Protection and Education Contra Costa Humane Society Ecology Center of Southern California MCA Incorporated Matilija Morgans Ranch McPhail Williams Group Northern Coast Range Biodiversity Project Placer Conservation Force SM Ranch Sea Wolf Alliance California Federation for Animal Legislation Numerous Private Citizens OPPOSITION: (Verified 1/26/94) Michaels Furs Park-Sherbo & Ramsey Fur Co. Furs by Graf Fur Workers' Association, Los Angeles Local 87-F, Fur Workers' Union of Los Angeles California Cattlemen's Association California Forestry Association Humboldt County Fish and Game Advisory Commission Simpson Timber Company California Conservation Alliance Breeco Constructors California Farm Bureau Federation California Sportsman's Lobby, Incorporated County of Lassen, Board of Supervisors Department of Fish and Game Modoc County Fish, Game, and Recreation Commission National Rifle Association CONTINUED SB 380 Page 3 Safari Club International Siskiyou Bowmen Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors Sportsmen's Council of Central California California Bowmen Hunters California Sportsmen's Task Force California Houndsmen for Conservation Mendocino County Woolgrowers Association Outdoor Sportsmen's Coalition of California California Wildlife Federation California Trappers Association Henmar Corporation, Hermann's Metal Spinning Co. Safari Club International Numerous Private Citizens ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to proponents, this bill would end the šanachronistic practice of killing wild cats for their pelts by banning šcommercial trapping, but still allow for sport hunting and depredation špermits in cases of threats to livestock. According to the author's office, about 63,000 bobcats have been trapped šfor their fur in the past 10 years with the kill rate set by pelt market šprices. ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: Opponents generally contend that existing law šand DFG already manage and protect the state's bobcat resources and that šthere is no biological need to prohibit the take of bobcats. Opponents šfurther argue that this ban will result in loss of jobs and income. CP:lm 1/26/94 Senate Floor Analyses CONTINUED