Wildlife

Wild animals are routinely excluded from the protections most people assume exist. Steel-jaw leghold traps, bear-baiting operations, and organized wildlife killing contests operate legally in many states — often backed by powerful lobbying interests. The League of Humane Voters organizes the humane vote to change that, state by state.

What We Are Working On

• Leghold Trap Bans: Steel-jaw leghold traps cause immense suffering to target and non-target animals alike — including family pets. LOHV supports state-by-state bans, mandatory trap-check intervals, and outright prohibition near residential areas and public lands.
• Ending Bear Baiting: Several states still permit hunters to lure bears with food piles (baiting), eliminating any semblance of fair chase. LOHV works through each state chapter to ban this practice and replace it with ethical wildlife management.
• Wildlife Killing Contests: Events that award cash prizes for the most coyotes, foxes, or rabbits killed in a set period are spreading. These contests serve no wildlife management purpose. LOHV supports legislation to ban them in every chapter state.
• Commercial Trapping & Fur: LOHV supports legislation to phase out commercial fur farming and the inhumane trapping that supplies the fur trade, following the lead of California, Hawaii, and the European Union.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are leghold traps legal in the United States?

Yes, steel-jaw leghold traps are legal in most U.S. states, though a handful — including California, Arizona, Colorado, and Massachusetts — have significantly restricted or banned them. LOHV works to extend these protections to additional states.

What is bear baiting and why does LOHV oppose it?

Bear baiting involves placing piles of food attractants in the woods to lure bears before hunting season. It removes the element of fair chase, habituates bears to human-sourced food, and is opposed by wildlife management experts and humane voters alike. LOHV supports banning it in every state where it remains legal.

How can I help protect wildlife through the political process?

The most direct way is to join your local LOHV chapter, which tracks relevant bills in your state legislature and organizes the humane vote around them. You can also contact your state representative when wildlife bills come to a vote.