RobertR
Member
As we all know with the introduction of wolf trapping in Montana trappers are taking some heat from anti trappers and organizations like Footloos. It seems that both the Billings Gazete and the Missoulian have reporters that keep this in the forefront to fuel the fire.
We need some good info to make these people back off.
The latest in the Missoulian http://missoulian.com/news/local/mo...cle_c87374d2-4eea-11e2-a81b-001a4bcf887a.html about lions caught in wolf traps and indiscriminate animals.
Here is a response I got from Footloose and I believe this is the one they use to get a trapping ban on the ballot.
They seem to want everything banned but none of them have a management plan for all wildlife or there habitat.
Footloose Montana
TOP 10 REASONS TO OPPOSE PUBLIC LANDS TRAPPING:
1. Trapping takes an enormous toll on riparian ecology by especially targeting beaver. This means less water and less riparian habitat for all species (humans, songbirds, ungulates, fish, etc.)
2. Trapping causes excessive suffering
3. The trapper can’t aim a trap like a hunter can aim a gun and engages in no meaningful pursuit
4. Traps kill endangered species – wolverine, lynx, fisher, etc.
5. Traps are baited and thus attract pets
6. Trapping costs us millions in lost revenue due to its indirect impact on water resources (esp. in an arid state like Montana), tourism (less furbearers means less wildlife watching) and wildlife (historically, trapping was the primary culprit in sending many of our species onto the Endangered Species list, necessitating recovery, for which we’ve been paying millions ever since).
7. Traps are a hazard. Trapping is poorly regulated. Traps are concealed, baited and no warning signs are required. Traps can be set year-round and almost anywhere on our public lands.
8. With very rare exceptions, trapping is no longer done for livelihood. Recreation is wonderful so long as it is responsible and is not predicated upon wanton suffering. That’s why we no longer have gladiators, frown upon dog fighting, etc.
9. Trapping uses a public resource for personal gain without contributing significantly to the public interest, as does hunting. The state income from trapping is negligible. The costs far outweigh benefits.
10. Trapping is NOT an effective management tool, as it causes more problems than it resolves. Trapping on public lands should be relegated to public safety and scientific research and only when done by public employees for the public interest.
We need some good info to make these people back off.
The latest in the Missoulian http://missoulian.com/news/local/mo...cle_c87374d2-4eea-11e2-a81b-001a4bcf887a.html about lions caught in wolf traps and indiscriminate animals.
Here is a response I got from Footloose and I believe this is the one they use to get a trapping ban on the ballot.
They seem to want everything banned but none of them have a management plan for all wildlife or there habitat.
Footloose Montana
TOP 10 REASONS TO OPPOSE PUBLIC LANDS TRAPPING:
1. Trapping takes an enormous toll on riparian ecology by especially targeting beaver. This means less water and less riparian habitat for all species (humans, songbirds, ungulates, fish, etc.)
2. Trapping causes excessive suffering
3. The trapper can’t aim a trap like a hunter can aim a gun and engages in no meaningful pursuit
4. Traps kill endangered species – wolverine, lynx, fisher, etc.
5. Traps are baited and thus attract pets
6. Trapping costs us millions in lost revenue due to its indirect impact on water resources (esp. in an arid state like Montana), tourism (less furbearers means less wildlife watching) and wildlife (historically, trapping was the primary culprit in sending many of our species onto the Endangered Species list, necessitating recovery, for which we’ve been paying millions ever since).
7. Traps are a hazard. Trapping is poorly regulated. Traps are concealed, baited and no warning signs are required. Traps can be set year-round and almost anywhere on our public lands.
8. With very rare exceptions, trapping is no longer done for livelihood. Recreation is wonderful so long as it is responsible and is not predicated upon wanton suffering. That’s why we no longer have gladiators, frown upon dog fighting, etc.
9. Trapping uses a public resource for personal gain without contributing significantly to the public interest, as does hunting. The state income from trapping is negligible. The costs far outweigh benefits.
10. Trapping is NOT an effective management tool, as it causes more problems than it resolves. Trapping on public lands should be relegated to public safety and scientific research and only when done by public employees for the public interest.
