California Bans Fur Trapping For Recreation, Commerce

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — It is now illegal to trap animals in California for recreation or to sell their fur.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he's signed a bill by Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez into law. She says it makes California the first state to ban people from trapping animals for recreation or commerce. But it is still legal to trap animals for other purposes, including pest control and public health.

A legislative analysis of the bill notes fur trapping licenses for recreation and commerce have declined in recent years, with 133 licenses issued last year that resulted in 1,568 animals harvested and 1,241 pelts sold. Meanwhile, the state averages about 500 trapping licenses per year for pest control.

A separate, pending bill would enact a broader ban on fur sales.