As the end of the trapping season nears, an Alaskan trapper shares the valuable experience gained through observations of critters on the trapline. You can read this interesting story in today's Fairbanks Daily News Miner. … [Read more...]
Connecticut to Ban Trapping?
The state of Connecticut may be dangerously close to being added to the list of U.S. states that have outlawed the use of foothold or conibear traps in the name of animal rights. A new bill banning foot and body gripping traps, co-sponsored by state Senator Fonfara and Representative Boukus, passed by a 22-8 vote in the Environment committee and continues to move through the … [Read more...]
Montana Auction Results Pattern Poor Fur Market
The Montana Trappers Association held a fur auction last Sunday in Columbus, MT, which was well attended by trappers from throughout the state and beyond. Unlike the January auction, the building was full of fur this time around. Unfortunately for trappers, however, fur buyers were not out in full force for the auction. Only three major buyers were present, and it was … [Read more...]
NAFA Promises to Rebuild Wild Fur Market
North American Fur Auctions president Herman Jansen recently addressed wild fur producers in a special message about the state of the fur market. In his message to trappers and fur dealers, Jansen appeared fairly frustrated with the state of the market, and maybe just a bit defensive about NAFA's poor February fur auction results. Jansen did a great job explaining why fur … [Read more...]
Fur Market Update: Prices Reflect Struggling Russian Economy
The latest fur market update is as discouraging as the previous few. North American Fur Auctions completed its February sale a few days ago, which was met with very mixed results. The high volume fur items that typically drive the fur market: namely raccoon, coyote and beaver, sold at extremely low levels. Beaver commanded such selective demand (which means buyers were very … [Read more...]
Feds Expand Canada Lynx Critical Habitat Designation
Well, it looks like the Canada lynx will get widespread critical habitat designation after all. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it will expand the area of critical habitat for Canada lynx by more than 20 times, overruling a Bush Administration decision. The former administration concluded that landowners were already managing their land in such a way that … [Read more...]
Nebraska Trappers Can Trap Roadside Ditches Once Again
A two year old bill that banned trapping in roadside ditches in Nebraska has now been overturned. Concerns over trapping non-target animals motivated the original bill's passing, but problems with flooding and land damage have proven the need for trapping to resume in these areas. Individual counties still have the right to ban roadside trapping within their jurisdictional … [Read more...]
Alaska Board of Game to Decide on Chugach Wolverine Trapping
The Alaska Board of Game, which makes decisions on hunting and trapping regulations in the state, began a two-week meeting this past Friday to debate over 200 wildlife management proposals, one of which directly involves wolverine trapping. Alaska's Chugach State Park, outside of Anchorage, was opened to wolverine trapping in 2007. Since then, 10 wolverines have been … [Read more...]