Thank You for responding to my question Dave, I wondered if you would and I’m glad you did. It’s always better to hear it from the source.
I’m going to do my best at saying something that concerns me without making too many enemies along the way. I agree that the world is a better place because we all think a little differently. I’m also thankful there are a few people out there with the ability to think for themselves and not just follow the opinions and teachings of others which they hold up on a pedestal.
I would agree with Tdog’s statement that you should educate yourself about trapping before writing about it and vocalizing your opinions in public because of the potential damage your “celebrity” status is capable of. Why do I say this? The description of trapping you just gave in your response is not an accurate description of trapping in general. There may be a few states that allow trappers to make sets on the weekend and not run those traps until the following weekend but those states are few and far between. I couldn’t agree more that the laws in those states should be changed but I don’t believe trapping should be banned in said states. It should be made better. Ethical trappers would never consider this practice. Let’s all work together to make trapping and hunting more ethical by supporting positive changes in methodology which leads to a higher awareness for animal welfare. Let’s not just ban it because we don’t like it the way it is.
When you make claims that “leghold” traps should be replaced by Conibear traps you further display your lack of knowledge about trapping, especially in the Eastern U.S. Try catching coyotes in conibear or “killer” type traps while not risking the life of an upland hunter’s fine German Shorthair or a western hunter’s lion dog. Where conibear type traps can be used safely and effectively I’m all for them but there are situations where they just don’t apply.
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) is in the final stages of a Trapping Best Management Practices (BMP) study that is addressing animal welfare, trap selectivity, efficiency, and safety for various trap types and animals caught in those devices. Once completed the results of the BMP will be available in the form of recommendations for state wildlife agencies to use in development of trapping regulations.
As a biologist I tend to focus more on populations of animals instead of individuals. I agree that each animal taken by trap, gun or bow deserve our respect. Trapping is a highly regulated activity focused on the harvest of abundant wildlife species. Canine distemper, sarcoptic mange, raccoon rabies and others are diseases that concern me and are more prevalent in areas with high population densities.
Without trapping, the U.S. would suffer more losses from these diseases than it currently does. Trapping of furbearers benefits other wildlife populations such as ground nesting birds as well. Quail, pheasant, turkeys, grouse and many other species are subject to nesting failures where raccoons, skunks and o’possum populations are too dense. It’s hard to trap raccoons in the Midwest without killing beagles if you’re restricted to Conibear use. There are several traps currently on the market that are completely “dog-proof” and with these traps animal welfare scores have been extremely favorable through AFWA testing.
Colorado has lost a lot. Spring Bear hunting, hunting bears with dogs and bear baiting became a thing of the past when Amendment 10 passed in 1992. In 1997 Coloradoans lost their right to use “foothold” traps. They will likely lose the right to kill bobcats in the future because of the likeness bobcats have to the federally threatened Lynx. The fact that mountain lions have killed and attacked a few people in recent times is probably the only reason Coloradoans can still hunt them but the sentiment is changing. Here’s an excerpt from a public opinion survey recently administered in Colorado.
“The hunting of mountain lions is a fractious issue. Respondents are split on this issue, with 47 percent supporting legal and regulated hunting
and 41 percent opposed to it. Those who were opposed to it were more likely to feel strongly about this issue (18 percent strongly support hunting,
and 24 percent strongly oppose it). In response to a question about whether or not mountain lion hunting should be banned, 46 percent disagreed with
a ban, while 34 percent agreed with a ban.”
Dave, I don’t know how you stand or stood on those non-trapping issues but as I stated in a previous post, the banning of trapping is just a small victory for the antis in the large war being waged against the outdoorsman’s way of life. It’s sad to know a fellow sportsman aided their cause. The role you played in that is not unlike that of a Hollywood celebrity that is asked to speak at an animal rights fundraiser. It really makes no difference how much the celeb knows about the issue. It’s just important that he/she has a following that will get on board for the battle.
You’ve willingly tossed trappers under the bus in the past and it now appears that through your recent TBM articles you are trying to garnish support from the traditional bowhunting community for your war against development of public lands and ATV use on said lands. Some of which, are ATV owning trappers.
Let me see, I doubt many knowing trapper’s, or folks that hunt behind fences (even those fenced areas of mammoth proportions) or ATV owners will be with you on the firing line. You’re running out of soldiers my friend.
After reading your response to the question I asked you, I kinda formed my own opinion from your answer. You voted to support a ban on trapping because you didn’t care about trappers and you probably still don’t . The sad thing is, you could have just as easily worked to change trapping and used your celebrity status in a positive way , thus preserving trapping in the state of Colorado. Why bother right, you had nothing at stake in the fight? Or did you?
I’m not saying we should all prescribe to the big tent theory. Heck, there are a lot of things inside the tent I’m against as well, however, I’m not one to shake the ridge pole from inside the tent. I’d rather help tidy it up with my brothers. There are enough people on the outside tugging at the corners as it is.
Just remember, as I stated before, in the grand scheme of things, there really aren’t that many trappers out there, but there arent that many Longbow “Purists” out there either. Hopefully the anti's sights won’t be set on them next.
Daryl
Topic: Dave Petersen for President (Read 3670 times)
