After four days in court, the lawsuit to ban certain types of trapping in Maine has been postponed until later this summer. After hearing testimony from environmentalists and representatives from the state of Maine for four days, prior commitments by the judge required that the case be finished over a couple of days sometime this summer. Stay tuned for more updates when this … [Read more...]
Activists Bring Out Their ‘Expert’ in Lynx Lawsuit
Trapping in northern Maine is under fire yet again, this time with the re-emergence of the Canada lynx lawsuit that rocked the trapping community this past fall and winter. Yesterday in Bangor, federal judge John Woodcock heard testimony in the lawsuit filed by two animal rights groups in an attempt to virtually put an end to trapping in its current form in northern … [Read more...]
Ontario Trapping Restrictions: Based on Science?
Recent hunting and trapping restrictions have hindered many Ontario, Canada residents near Algonquin National Park. Some argue that the decision to restrict these activities (particularly the pursuit of wolves and coyotes) in areas around the Park is based on scientific research, but opponents claim that the research is terribly flawed. Huntsville, Ontario resident Ron … [Read more...]
NAFA’s Latest Fur Market Update
North American Fur Auctions posted another wild fur market update in anticipation of their May fur sale. As expected, the auction house appears to be having a difficult time finding enough buyers to bid on all of the fur they have in storage. World events over the next month will undoubtedly influence buyer behavior at the May sale. But for now, it doesn't appear as though … [Read more...]
In Pursuit of a Problem Beaver
My neighbor down the road had a problem. A beaver problem. I'd seen this type of problem before. A beaver had moved into his complex of farm ponds from a nearby stream and decided to make his winter home there. It was late fall, and this big rodent wasn't wasting any time getting ready for winter. The first objective was to build a home, which was accomplished by burrowing … [Read more...]
Connecticut Trapping Info
With the coming threat of a trapping ban in Connecticut, it may be useful to learn a bit more about trapping in the state. Jeff Serena, of the Connecticut Nature Examiner, provides a great summary of fur trapping in Connecticut. You can read it here. … [Read more...]
Missouri Lifts Restrictions on Otter Trapping
For the first time in recent history, the state of Missouri has lifted harvest level restrictions on the river otter, marking a high point in one of the most successful conservation stories in the United States. Just a few decades ago, Missouri's otter population was considered almost nonexistent, with only an estimated few dozen otters left in isolated locations. The plight … [Read more...]
Trapping is an Important Maine Tradition
A recent AP article followed Brian Cogill, a traditional Maine beaver trapper, on his trapline this season. Like approximately 4,000 other trappers in the state, Brian enjoys trapping despite the low fur prices and hard work that's involved. Trapping will be challenged again in Maine next month, when the Canada lynx issue will re-surface in a new series of court hearings. I … [Read more...]