The Lancaster County Board needed one of its own to testify on a bill before the Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee that would eliminate restrictions and penalties for trapping wildlife in county road rights-of-way.

And Commissioner Larry Hudkins stepped up to testify on LB5 — because he was caught in a wildlife trap about three weeks ago.

Someone had placed a conibear trap in a ditch near his Malcolm-area farm, and Hudkins stepped into it. He was wearing good boots and wasn’t seriously hurt.

But the trap was large enough to catch a coyote or a beaver — even a farmer — and Hudkins  couldn’t open it with his hands.

So he hobbled to his truck for a crowbar.

Hudkins reported the incident to the state Game and Parks Commission. The trap’s owner could not be traced because the trap did not have an ID number.

Hudkins, of course, will testify against the bill next week.

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.