Trapping has huge problems… It also kills or damages endangered species… Pets… and does so without conscience!
KALISPELL –
We are just days away from the start of wolf-trapping season in the Treasure State.
With wolf-trapping season set to open statewide this week comes excitement for hunters and trappers, but also public safety concerns.
“We want to do it in the most effective and responsible way we can,” Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman John Fraley said.
He added that with strict regulations in place, it’s highly unlikely to catch non-target animals such as dogs
“It’s actually rare that a dog gets caught in a set for wolves even though they’re both canines because of those regulations, and because wolf trappers are out in the boon docks,” Fraley said.
The traps are hidden across Montana’s landscape so dog owners should be on high alert. With large dangerous steel leg-hold traps possibly hidden along open roads, public lands and hiking trails, trappers must follow set-back rules.
“You can’t trap any closer than 1,000 feet to a campground or trailhead,” Fraley explained. “You must be 150 feet off any hiking trail or open road.”
Additionally, in order to trap wolves in the state Fraley says hunters must also take safety a class.
“We have three different stations. We talk about ethics and responsibility at all three stations,” Fraley said. “We do — for example –set trap out in the snow. We look at trapping equipment and then we look at the history and management of wolves.”
Fraley says out of the 200 wolves harvested last year in the state trapping was responsible for taking about a third of the animals.
“A lot of us thought we would never see wolf-trapping or hunting in our careers, but we’re seeing a very well-managed program, we’re seeing people generally happy with how it’s working,” Fraley said.
“We have great wolf populations and we’re seeing people taking advantage of the opportunity to trap and hunt wolves for taxidermy, for garments,” he added.
Fraley says with responsibly he doesn’t think their should be any incidents, “if people are responsible with their dogs and people follow regulations there shouldn’t be an non-target catches.”
The wolf-trapping season runs from Dec. 13 until Feb. 28. You can click here to learn more about wolf management in Montana.
Comments
Trapping needs to be permanently banned.
Yes it does…. it is too bad that we could not get enough exposure for I177 to pass….
OMG! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ????? This makes me want trap the humans with the traps! Let’s do population control on the evil bastards with the traps! It’s a Dam good thing I don’t live in MT anymore because I would go trap the humans and defend the Wolves ??
How can we stop this????
We have to help them gain support, and get I177 back on the ballot next year in Montana. Our Voice will grow, with all of our followers pitching in. http://gofundme.com/protectthewolves