Steve, My response to your question...

[CoonDuke]

...on the coon BMP thread.

You asked why I would accept the science if it is flawed?

If the Duke 1.5 was tested and failed, and was tested under the same guidelines and controls that the other models were, I can accept that. I just feel that the Duke is a better coon trap than the others, and if a stock 1.5 was going to pass the threshold standards, that trap would have. Just my opinion.

You as well as many others knew that the 1.5 would probably fail, and my concern was that the trap I thought had the best chance of beating these "impossible odds" was tested.

There is no perfect research, and even though everyone seems to accept the coyote BMP, I can assure you that those results are far from 100% representative.

There is a difference between accepting the research data and accepting the protocol, thresholds, and guidelines.

[trappnman]

CD- I don't have a doubt in the world that any trappers involved in the testing were honest- although I also have no doubt tat their personal biasis came into play. Thats why many of the conclusions based on small sample numbers concerns me.

The trouble with the coon bmp- is that coon are NOT like canines. Except for wearing a fur coat and having a nose and 4 paws- they are day/nighht different i nhabits and reactions.

ANY bmp process that does not take this into account is flawed.

I said it to Dave Hamilton 4 years ago and I say it today.

Hey- coon chew.

WHY do they chew? Nature.

This can be stopped by

1) using a specific trap which is NOT practical for multi species trappers.

2) setting techniques.

to equate injuries obtained from self mutilation vs injuries caused DIRECTLY by the trap as in coyotes- is bad science.

And to set up thresholds based on one species- set up to give the traps for them (read "them" as coyote) a reasonable...I said "reasonable"...chance to pass the tests.

THe same should have been made on the coon tests.

See- I'm not from the school that says a coyote is a coon is a dog is a pig is a boy...

A COON is a coon.

A COYOTE is a coyote.

Different reactions to being restrained call for different thresholds- or is this too simple and commonsensical?

You think that the thresholds were taken off of the 3rd stone Moses carried?

Of course not- the thresholds were PUSHED THROUGH BY A GROUP OPPOSED TO TRAPPING.

The thresholds could have been different for ALL species.

I can't wait for the skunk bmps. After all- double jaws were for the most part INVENTED for skunks- not to stop chewing- but to hold the chewed animal.

I can see it now- a mesh net and a stone deadfall with a sting will be the only two that pass-

and all the non skunk trappers out there will say why, the net and deadfall are wonderful tools...