Another Canada lynx has been reported killed in a trap in northern Maine this week, but this time the animal was found dead by a Maine state game warden after following tracks in the woods. This is the second lynx confirmed killed by trapping this year, further indicating that the lynx population is as abundant as it’s ever been, but its prey densities are declining, causing the animals to go to great lengths to find other sources of food.
We don’t yet know whether or not the animal was taken in a legal set. The previous lynx was taken in a trap set whose legality was questionable, prompting clarification rules by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
The animal rights groups suing the State of Maine for violation of the Endangered Species Act are certain to use this as an example of why they feel trapping should be shut down in the state. We already know, from their past history and conversations with these groups and their members, that their goal is to end trapping, not to ‘recover’ lynx populations.
On Friday, members of WAM and the Animal Welfare Institute filed another petition urging the court to halt trapping with so-called “body-gripper” or Conibear traps in lynx territory, which would include all of northern Maine.
As an alternative, the groups recommended requiring that trappers in the Unorganized Territory check their Conibear traps every 24 hours. The current trap time is five days.
Incrementalism is how these groups eventually end up getting what they want. I know many trappers in Maine and elsewhere who would not be able to operate a trapline on a 24 hour check. I certainly wouldn’t. Think of the guys who have a full time job and are running 50-100 marten traps on the side to supplement their income. The full time trapper has been virtually eliminated from the state based on previous restrictive regulations. I think this request is the last straw.
Trappers need to take a stand and stop giving in to these groups. Remember, the lynx was wrongly listed under the Endangered Species Act in the first place, and all of these regulations stem from that ridiculous listing and the federal control and power that has resulted.
The future of trapping stands in the balance. It’s time for trappers to fight for their rights.
Looks like an awful battle, there. Ingnorance run rampant and lies all over by the
activists. Men trying to make a living while activists are determined to run things
based on a lie, still. Someday soon I hope it will sink in, the destruction their
agenda has caused and will help us restore what we are trying to hang on to.
If only so much energy and time where put toward your fellow-man instead of
against him.
This pains me to think that traps are going possibly 5 days without checking. I remember having a line in PA between when I was 13 and 17 and checked them every morning before school and every evening after school. You owe it to the animals you are after, with 5 days being absurd.
PAtrapper – notice that this 5 day check law only applies to conibear traps, which kill an animal almost instantly. So whether a trapper checks them twice a day or once a month, the animal will have been dead since the moment after it was caught. I personally don’t feel that any check requirement is necessary for killer traps, especially with the new ‘elevated set’ rules. I have held a few animals alive in a conibear in warm weather on the ground, but never in an elevated set. The 5-day check law for conibears is an old rule that was around when ground sets with small conibears were legal (just 2 years ago), and I don’t think it’s necessary anymore, but I’m sure it will stay (or be shortened, if the animal rights groups can help it).
I think checking your traps often is a very important part of responsible trapping when an animal is being held alive in a trap. The requirement in Maine is a 24-hour check for foothold traps.
That being said, there is a big difference between a hobby trapper and a full time guy who earns part of his income trapping. Guys who are running 150-300 traps in some western states cannot possibly check every trap every day. However, they still check regularly, and use quality traps with good modifications, offset and laminated jaws, good swiveling, etc., and can hold an animal for 2-3 days with no more paw discomfort than it had on the first day.
We’re dealing with wild animals. You are right, we owe it to them to be humane and responsible. At the same time, we also need to consider that they do not think or feel quite like humans, and treating them as such may be a bit ‘overkill’.
this whole lynx thing is the stupidest thing I have ever heard we were up in the Forks in Maine this week and were hunting and trapping we witnessed 3 different set of lynx tracks during the week we were there and why are we being restricted in this state when other states are allowed to trap them !!! It makes no sense!!!