Trappers say their mistakes are rare. A Montana trapper, quoted in a Montana newspaper on October 3, said, “technological advancements have drastically reduced rates of non-target capture” (of unintended species). Yet Idaho Fish and Game reported widespread capture of non-target animals just five years ago. During the 2011-2012 trapping season, Idaho wolf trappers killed 124 wolves and reported the capture of 246 non-target animals. Of those captured, 118 were killed, 116 were released and the fate of 12 are unknown. Idaho has not had an open season on fishers for over 75 years but trappers caught 22 and 15 of them died.
The 246 animals captured ranged in size from flying squirrel and raven to elk, moose and black bear and included 4 moose, 18 elk, 26 lions, 9 domestic pets and 82 deer .
Obviously this new technology does not exist. The truth is, traps are indiscriminate. That is why Montana classifies trapping as recreation only. It does not control disease and is too sloppy to control only target populations. Traps are cruel devices that strangle and tear apart all creatures, causing suffering and waste of our publicly owned wildlife on our publicly owned lands.
Dave Taylor
Missoula
Mike in Stevensville says
Wow. Dave Taylor in Missoula complains against present day Montana trappers, using as his reasoning, an alleged source from a five year old report from another state!
A desperate agenda, clearly.