On Tuesday November 4th, Maine voters will decide whether to ban the use of bait, hounds and traps to hunt bears in the state. Perhaps the most misunderstood of these methods is bear trapping. Bob Noonan explains bear trapping well in his Lewiston Sun Journal article: Bear trapping is heavily regulated. A special bear trapping permit is required, and is available only to … [Read more...]
Judge Upholds Idaho’s Wolf Trapping Program
In a recent district court case, judge Edward Lodge rejected an environmentalist challenge to the state of Idaho's wolf management program that includes trapping two packs of wolves in the Frank Church Wilderness. Basically, the state wanted to trap two wolf packs that were impacting the elk herd. Defenders of Wildlife sued, and the judge ruled in favor of the state. It's an … [Read more...]
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Reviewing Maine’s ITP Application for Trapping and Lynx
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently considering an application by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for an incidental take permit for Canada lynx. The ITP would provide legal protection for the Department's trapping program and trappers who incidentally capture lynx, which are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act. In return, the … [Read more...]
Feds Cut Animal Damage Control Programs
UPDATE: Looks like the feds will find some money for the program after all. Read the story here. Shortfalls in the federal budget will likely have an impact on animal damage control programs throughout the United States. According to an article in Minnesota's Duluth News Tribune, the USDA Wildlife Services program that hired government trappers to capture and remove … [Read more...]
New Mexico Trapping Ban Overturned
There's great news for trappers in New Mexico today. The New Mexico State Game Commission unanimously voted to overturn a ban placed on trapping in the Gray Wolf Recovery Area by Governor Bill Richardson last year. We reported on the trapping ban a year ago, and noted that a study was underway to determine whether trapping in New Mexico had an impact on the wolf population. … [Read more...]
Muskrat Trapping Extended in Illinois
Illinois governor Pat Quinn signed a bill on Tuesday that extends muskrat trapping in the state. Muskrats are found throughout the state, and trapping of the species is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Congratulations, Illinois trappers! In a time where it seems like trapping rights are constantly being eroded, it's nice to see new trapping … [Read more...]
Trapping Threatened Again in New Mexico
Last summer, we covered a story about New Mexico governor Bill Richardson banning trapping in New Mexico's Gray Wolf Recovery Area. Then, we noted in November that research was underway to determine the affect of trapping on wolves. Results of that research don't seem to have surfaced yet, but with a new governor and legislature in the state, Richardson's ruling could … [Read more...]
Another N.C. County Pushes to Legalize Fox and Coyote Trapping
Fox and coyote trapping could soon become legal in Surry County, North Carolina. County commissioners have approved a request to the state legislature to allow the activity. Similar actions have taken place in Almance and Forsyth counties. North Carolina has statewide trapping regulations, but counties have the ability to open or extend previously closed seasons by working … [Read more...]