State lawmakers reached a close compromise between rural and urban interests Tuesday, allowing certain people to lawfully kill a gray fox.
Under legislation passed in the senate, it would have to be accidental during the red fox trapping season from December to mid-March.
It would also have to take place south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, but would continue to be illegal anywhere above the canal.
It’s a compromise that’s been weeks in the making.
A few years ago, Paul Sedacca’s4th grade class backed legislation to designate the gray fox as Delaware’s official wildlife animal, which passed easily.
Sedacca’s current class has lobbied against this bill opening the gray fox to harvesting since it was introduced in January.
“I’m satisfied that there’s no hunting and trapping season. That was our number one goal and we’ve accomplished that goal," said Sedacca. "We’re still going to pursue this and just see how it plays out.”
Several Democrats railed against bill after the amendment creating the limitations passed, saying it needs to go further.
Sen. Karen Peterson (D-Stanton) tried to tack on another amendment that would’ve outlawed the sale of gray fox pelts, but it was narrowly defeated by one vote.
“I recognize that farmers should have a right to protect their own livestock and their chickens and such, but we shouldn’t be encouraging people to make a business out of killing gray fox with as few as there are in Delaware,” Peterson said.
Tuesday’s vote was the culmination of months of controversy.
After House lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the measure in March, Senate Majority Leader David McBride held three hearings across the state to get public feedback.
A torrent of pint-sized lobbyists testified in Newark, outnumbering opponents, while farmers worried about their poultry and trappers concerned about potential legal action flooded Georgetown.
Most of the kids and some legislators say Delaware’s wildlife animal shouldn’t be hunted under any circumstances, saying the animal is placid.
But Senate Minority Leader Gary Simpson (R-Milford) says there are plenty exceptions in state hunting and fishing regulations regarding harmless animals.
“The little rabbits haven’t hurt anyone, but yet we still hunt rabbits and we eat rabbits and we sell their pelts, their hides. Certainly, the little birds haven’t harmed anyone, but yet we allow quail hunting and turkey hunting,” Simpson said.
The House must now pass the amended bill again before it heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.
