If you have ever had to release an animal or bird from a trap you know how much pain they are in. Thousands of animals suffer year after year to appease the desire of less than one percent of the Montana citizens who trap. Trappers sell their take. When someone hunts or fishes it is not legal to sell their take from our public lands. FWP has very loose regulations on the trappers. When I-177 passes in November, because you helped to make it legal and voted for it, less than 30% of Montana’s land (public land, not private) will be restricted from trapping. There are exceptions for problem animals that FWP can trap. FWP has no way of knowing how many non target wild and domestic species are killed. These animals suffer and then die, for example: Eagles. They go for the bait, get trapped and experience great pain.
I know of not one person involved with I-177 who is in an animal rights group. Montana folks who are working on this issue want to be able to safely take their children and animals for walks and hikes on public land. We believe that public land is for the safe use of all citizens. Many pro I-177 are hunters and fishers and know this has nothing to do with those activities.
Yes, Montana’s public lands belong to everyone and are large enough to be SAFELY used by all. We will follow the example of Colorado, Washington and Arizona where trapping is already prohibited. Vote yes on I-177.
Suzanna McDougal
Hamilton