A person places a metal trap on the ground, on public lands, to catch/trap an animal that has no prior ‘alert’ or warning, no means of escape, such as is found in hunting deer, elk, moose, fowl, etc. That person (trapper) is allowed up to 72 hours to return to check his trap. Does this exhibit the ideals of sportsmanship?
Surrounding states have laws in place that state violations by trappers result in confiscation of said person’s vehicle, weapons, traps, etc., and prohibit future permits or licenses. There’s also a lack of adequate enforcement/supervision in Idaho.
In the aforementioned sports (i.e., elk, deer, moose, fowl hunters), I know of only two instances where human life and domestic animals (dog) were injured or killed accidentally. Such is not true of trapping, regrettably!
The beautiful land that comprises Idaho, that most of us love and want to care for, is our land, a.k.a. “We the people…” It includes abundant wildlife to be enjoyed and treated humanely with respect to permitted hunting and, albeit, trapping.
However, the nature of traps and existing laws have endangered people’s lives, including our children, domestic pets, and that of unintended wildlife (eagles, martens, fishers, etc.). We, guests, tourists, new residents should not have to be afraid/fearful to go forth to enjoy a hike, bike ride, horseback ride, snowshoe, etc., on our public lands!
I believe that a more perfect union of all interests and perceptions can coexist wisely, facilitating an equitable, safe and enjoyable path forward for all of our people and domestic animals.
Let us avoid the ‘politics,’ and have frank, open discussions, including science and facts, for the ‘good’ of Idaho and how it is viewed in history.
For those who are interested in specific rules and information, check out Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) title 36/Idaho State Legislature and IDFG trapping link: Trapping and Furbearer Information. Warning—it’s a labyrinth of material! The latter presents videos demonstrating traps and how to release them. It’s very informative, but it fails, in my opinion, to portray the trauma, pain and horror that the animals and people involved would be experiencing. I felt like I was taking a calm sewing or knitting class. It didn’t emphasize the physical prowess and strength that is required, nor tools (except for a wirecutter) to break or pry open these various traps of different weights, many of which rapidly and forcefully snap right back!
Refining and perfecting laws and guidelines should be done with thoughtful expediency. The following are a few suggestions I will offer: reinstate flagging (use 6-foot poles with fluorescent-colored flags, firmly anchored in the ground, visible from distance whether on foot, bike, horseback, etc., and not camouflaged by tall grasses, trees, and other terrain features); increasing the 10-foot distance from public trails, paths, roads and highways considerably farther; trapping areas allowed to be defined and marked with suitable signage to alert/inform people; decrease the 72-hour allowed time for checking traps; change rules regarding the victims as pertains to disassembling/moving traps… currently, they could be jailed; include a trapper’s liability for victims’ (human and their pets) medical expenses incurred due to being captured in illegal traps.
I also suggest educative clinics, such as Idaho Chukar Foundation hosts (idahochukarfoundation@hotmail.com), to inform people and their dogs about rattlesnake, skunk, and porcupine avoidance—and trapping! I have attended several with my dogs. They are excellent! I support them being held in the Wood River Valley and elsewhere in Idaho.
In closing, I wish to mention that I’ve had the pleasure to speak with our regional supervisor for IDFG, Craig White. We are fortunate to have him. He is informed, knowledgeable, fair-minded and clear-thinking.
Thank you all for your time. Let’s get moving!
J.J.Spain
Blaine County