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Post by FWS on Jun 15, 2014 9:36:22 GMT -6
Group Calls For Overhaul Of Wyoming Trapping LawsBy Melodie Edwards Wyoming Public Media Tue June 10, 2014 A local organization is calling for an overhaul of Wyoming’s trapping regulations, saying they haven't been updated since before the de-listing of wolves. The group—called Wyoming Untrapped--says more people are setting traps since the de-listing of wolves, which are considered livestock predators. The increase has led to more pets caught in snares and leg holds. Lisa Robertson is one of the group's organizers. She says Wyoming's trapping regulations are antiquated. "There's up to a 13-day trap check for snares and conibear traps. If you set your trap on a Monday, for instance, that's the trap check for the week. And then you don’t have to check it for another 13 days. We feel like this is incredibly inhumane and cruel. And that we ought to take a new look at our trapping regulations." She’s particularly concerned that the list of animals classified as predatory—which can be trapped year round-- is too broad. Bobcats are especially vulnerable, she says. "Bobcat furs are in demand around the world, especially in China and Russia. And we are commercializing our bobcat. And we don't have a quota, we don't know how many are out there. I think we need to take a look at that." Robertson says regulations need to require trappers to check their traps more often, limit trapping to a smaller area and post signs that live traps have been laid. She says several pets have recently been caught in traps. The group recently posted a website where people can learn more about Wyoming trapping regulations and how to remove their pet from a trap.
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Jun 15, 2014 15:11:52 GMT -6
Sorry she is Full of BS Wyoming does have a bobcat trapping season, predatory only,list those that are activity killing livestock. Which I find those numbers to be small in most areas, all pelts must be checked and tagged and harvest levels documented. Another anti group trying to play with words. Good Luck.............
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Post by mmwb (Andrew Parker) on Jun 16, 2014 22:28:54 GMT -6
Some "fur bears" in other states are "predatory" animals in Wyoming and can be trapped year around without a license. Bobcat is not one of them, with a season running November 15-March 1.
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Post by FWS on Jun 17, 2014 0:14:58 GMT -6
Well that's to be expected, but the fact is that yet another group has popped up in another Western state modeled after those in other states, probably with seed money from the nationals and an agenda that doesn't stop at the state level.
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Jun 17, 2014 3:47:16 GMT -6
They will test the waters in many states but some will be harder for them to push their agenda than others...................
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Post by FWS on Jun 17, 2014 11:39:20 GMT -6
I don't think it's at the state level where the real agenda is here....................
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Jun 17, 2014 15:56:40 GMT -6
FWS They have tried the national level except they would loose in the Supreme Court as states rights when it comes to most wildlife species and control methods used lay at the hands of states not the federal govt. We took the wolf from federal control and have it back to the states in many areas.
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Post by FWS on Jun 17, 2014 18:57:12 GMT -6
And they'll try again, and again after that. Problem now is that there are different personnel involved who have been very effective on other issues in the past. I recognize the names.
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Jun 18, 2014 4:11:40 GMT -6
Let them try again , as we have no control over that except to fight it and present information and if or when needed put in front of the high court. I just do not see a national trap ban being lawful and also the money spent on BMP's to ensure we can use selective equipment that has passed a national protocol and is endorsed by many state game agencies.
You would be taking away states rights to manage predation and furbearer and I just do not see that happening anytime soon in our country or holding up in court either.
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Post by FWS on Jun 18, 2014 8:30:03 GMT -6
Who's this 'we' ? You don't fight these things remember ?
And fighting it requires funding, which is in short supply in trapper circles.
I can see many ways that it could be done and survive a court challenge, with precedence to back it up.
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Jun 18, 2014 19:35:18 GMT -6
OK you see it as something achievable, I see it as unlawful on states rights. Like the fed govt having Mary Jane listed as illegal street drug and a few states making it legal and the fed govt turning the other cheek.
I do not see it as something they can control otherwise it would open up the flood gates on hunting and fishing matters as well, fur bearers are controlled by the states and so are the tools listed for use in each state. A foot hold trap and check times change with states and for many reasons, no different than hunting tools or methods used.
Again AFWA would fight such with vigor after all the work and federal dollars used for BMP studies. If this was good enough for the EU why wouldn't hold at our federal level? Also banning the sale of fur would be a free trade issue with Canada and other countries. Not to mention all of the after math that would have to be dealt with at the federal level. Who is paying for the wildlife conflict to come about or would WS just get that much bigger ?
Were have seen in states where trapping has been outlawed and the outcomes are not good. Their is a track record in those states.
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Post by FWS on Jun 19, 2014 1:42:16 GMT -6
What you see it as and what reality may be are two different things entirely.................
No, they're not................. And there is a lot of precedence for that.
We only bought time with the EU, the issue will come back, just as the trade in seal pelts has. And many other issues.
That was 20 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday, 20 years from now is that far off..................
Will they exist at all ? Perhaps not in the role they play today.
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Jun 19, 2014 4:17:02 GMT -6
If you think a federal trapping ban will happen then who will take care of the wildlife conflicts? You don't think their would be pressure on the federal govt on these type of issues? LOL. Why do you think WS was put into place many years ago and half a dozen name changes later they still keep on keeping on. reality is what it is and I do not see a federal ban on trapping in the US, you seem to think it will happen soon I guess by your wording? But not all states are made up like California or NJ or Mass. Buying time is what we do in some cases and the EU today is not like it was 20 years ago either. When talking on trapping matters like this I sometimes sense some frustration on your part FWS maybe a 2 week NR visit to a state with foothold trapping and good people would help
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Post by trappnman on Jun 19, 2014 9:20:58 GMT -6
Why do you think WS was put into place many years ago and half a dozen name changes later they still keep on keeping on.
tell me why- because I see it now as a relic of the past- something that benefits only a select few
WS does nothing the private sector could not do on bids
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Jun 19, 2014 14:03:38 GMT -6
It was put into place to help people like other federal govt programs and has endured to acts of congress through the times. Starling control to feral hogs and also at airports for bird mitigation as well. They started out with rodent and predator control in 1895 and from there has grown a program that helps many people many ensures public safety.
Tman plenty of other things the govt is involved in could be privatized as well, but the over site would not sit well with many people nor would we have the time or money for such over site.
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Post by Gerald Schmitt on Jun 19, 2014 14:14:56 GMT -6
FWS: "I can see many ways that it could be done and survive a court challenge, with precedence to back it up"
How could this be done without it being a states rights issue? Educate me. Obviously with commercial whaling and fishing under attack, it may have some parallels, and you are obviously very well informed on these issues. I appreciate your insight
Have the animal rights folks put lots of commercial fisherman out of work in the US? I don't know much about that industry, is it thriving or in decline?
Its been talked about before, but I wonder what trapping will be like in 50 years. Seems like the urban vs rural culture keeps clashing more and more, with the urbanites having the numbers and influence to impose their beliefs on the rural folks.
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Post by FWS on Jun 19, 2014 14:44:58 GMT -6
Interstate commerce is one way Gerald, and there's a lot of precedence on that regarding method of take/production, etc. on other issues.
I can think of several other ways but really don't want to lay them out on a public forum like this.
In truth, yes they have, and not just in the U.S. particularly related to commerce in the products. There is a similarity between these issues, and the same groups and individuals who have targeted fisheries, grazing, mining, timber, and so on are now active on hunting/trapping issues.
Depends on the fishery, with some doing very well and others not so well or non existent due to regulatory action and some have done themselves in.
Well it's been under attack for 50 years or so, and the tactics used there and the dialogue the antis use is quite similar on our issues.
It's more that well funded non profit groups, who are in fact businesses, need issues to maintain themselves.
They create what we see as a clash..................
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Post by FWS on Jun 19, 2014 14:50:53 GMT -6
I didn't say that, but I will say they will attempt to severely curtail the activity through a variety of means. We're already seeing this...........
It's worse..................
There are a pretty good number of members of the EU parliament that were the professional campaigners for the antis.
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Post by Gerald Schmitt on Jun 19, 2014 15:24:58 GMT -6
FWS thanks for the insightful answers, one followup, you have dealt with a lot of animal rights folks, what drives them. Are they really concerned about the animals, or is it like you said, a way of life for them, working for these non profit groups. Or what does anyone else think?
I just have a hard time wrapping my mind around why someone living in say New York City or Boston or San Diego , would care about me trapping a mink in a drainage ditch in Southern Minnesota and care enough to want to make it illegal.
We have had some antis post stuff on our business Facebook site, pretty hardcore stuff, basically condemning us to hell and wishing the same for our family for selling trapping supplies.
I think sometimes these folks must just hate their own personal life and take pleasure in trying to interfere in others folks lives. Although I am sure there is a subset that make a good living running these groups, and it may all be about the money for them.
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Post by trappincoyotes39 on Jun 19, 2014 16:02:44 GMT -6
FWS define severely curtail nationwide please.......... Already seeing this how exactly? The EU is losing ground with people in Britain and more than half of the people think the prime minister should pull out from the EU versus giving up more control. Also loosing ground with countires when it comes to telecommunications in many countires as well. Gerald it isn't about where you or I live they care about a cause that in their minds make them better people, caring people in their minds. They want to save all animals from any kind of treatment except pet status, well kept in their minds. They have no real idea that things live and die and nature isn't kind, but by giving money, time and posting bad things on your website it makes them feel like they belong and have a sense of something. Wd had an anti group in SD that would set up at the Sioux empire fair every year for a few years with pics and lies and I would engage them every year and ask real questions about wildlife and what they thought or felt, their answers where vague and had no real science behind them, I would remind them of that their donation jar was quite small and while I kept it civil some of the AG producers would not. They no longer are in business in SD. I have also noticed far,far less anti trapping promotions at the NTA conventions as well, have you seen the same Gerald? I think some of the groupies figured it out and given up donating time at such ventures for little in return Funny how none of PETA top dogs show up in Ilwa or Wisconsin for the NTA conventions yet expect their minions to do their bidding for nothing The cause I think to some not worth it as much anymore.
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