Some lawmakers say that wording in the ban makes fishing a felony.
Although no one in the state has been charged with such a crime, legislators moved to prevent it from happening. The cock-fighting ban makes almost every activity with animals illegal and then exempts some actions, such as hunting and professionally sanctioned rodeos. Controversy has centered around unclear wording in the exemptions that many believe criminalize accepted activities. The legislation now before the governor would maintain the bans on cock-fighting and bear wrestling while ensuring that fishing and rodeo remain legal. Ransdall said small rodeos like the ones chambers of commerce hold are illegal under the ban because they aren't sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association.