The American Veterinary Medical Association recently issued a revised policy concerning the humaneness of using steel jawed leg-hold traps, which encourages modern, modified traps that are intended to increase animal welfare. Part of their position can be seen below: While not perfect, modified traps are less likely to cause severe injury and improvements in their application … [Read more...]
Minnesota Ordered to Avoid Incidental Trapping of Lynx
After a brief intermission, the Canada lynx issue is back to the forefront of outdoor politics in the state of Minnesota. This past Monday, a federal judged ruled that the Minnesota DNR "promptly take all action necessary to [ensure] no further taking of threatened Canada lynx". Basically, this means that the state must apply for an "incidental take permit" (ITP) from the … [Read more...]
Trapping Law Helps Protect North Carolina Landowners
Here's some trapping related news I thought I'd pass on for those of you in North Carolina. Individuals in Alamance County, North Carolina are pushing for the extension of a fox trapping law that has helped protect landowners from property damage since its inception in 2006. The 'local bill' applies on the county level and allows for a longer fox trapping season than … [Read more...]
Successful March Auction Results in High Fur Prices
Results are in from the North American Fur Auctions' March sale, and fur prices have risen beyond the expectations of even the most enthusiastic forecasts. NAFA called their March sale "the best wild fur sale in recent memory". Many items reached new highs and experts are predicting that many of these prices will hold around current levels for the rest of the season. Big … [Read more...]
Trapper Survives Four Days Stuck Under ATV
An Alberta trapper survived for four days after a trapline accident left him pinned under his ATV with nothing to eat but rotting beaver meat and with hungry coyotes threatening his life. He was rescued when a hiker came upon him on the trail and went to get help. Read more here … [Read more...]
Division Among Hunters and Trappers Weakens Sportsmen
Unity among hunting, fishing and trapping groups is a very important aspect of preserving the outdoor heritage enjoyed by participants in these activities. Being a hunter, fisherman and trapper myself, I find it hard to understand why trappers and hound hunters can't seem to get along in many areas. I hate to pick on any one state in particular, but Michigan has recently … [Read more...]
Wisconsin Trapper Encounters Cougar, DNR Investigates
Trapper Kevin Edwardson came face to face with a cougar in a Wisconsin barn last week, in what could be the first confirmed cougar siting in the state in 100 years. The animal fled from Edwardson after he followed its tracks into the old barn and spotted it in the hayloft. Its tracks measured 3 1/2" across and it had a running stride of 12 feet. Many cougar sightings have … [Read more...]
Trapper Catches Heat for Selling Meat
A New Jersey trapper was recently contacted by his County Health Department and forced to remove a sign advertising the sale of muskrat meat from animals he legally captured. The call from the Health Department came after an earlier news article about he and another local trapper, which mentioned the popularity of muskrat as a food item. While there is a growing demand for an … [Read more...]