Hefty fines and some serious jail time could be in the future of a Pennsylvania man who reportedly caught a lynx in an illegal set while trapping in northern Maine.
The Bangor Daily News has the story.
In the winter of 2008, Maine was a hotbed of activity on the trapping front (read more here). A lawsuit filed by animal rights activist groups sought to ban many forms of trapping in the state and resulted in major changes to the Maine’s trapping regulations. During that time, it was rumored that lynx were still being caught despite the new regulations and the plaintiffs demanded that the trapping season be suspended. Snowshoe hare populations were low at the time, meaning lynx were very hungry and much more easily trapped. When a lynx was reportedly caught in the Stacyville area, trappers were quick to point out that it was caught in an illegal set, and should not play a part in influencing new regulations. Sure enough, Mr. McCoy’s traps were not set according to the new Maine law, and now he’s paying the price.
Be sure to read the comments section in the Bangor Daily News article. As always, they’re interesting and provide insight from animal rights wacko’s as well as the son of the man charged with the crimes.
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