Foundation For Wildlife Management: trappers managing wolves

[Humptulips]

This is a good idea, that's why it has a snowballs chance of happening in Washington. This is working well in Idaho because there are enough people that hunt and are true conservationist that understand the big picture. Here, being there are more non hunters and liberals that vote with their hearts and not their heads inhabiting the major population areas, I can see a push by wolfaboo's to make sure leg hold trapping is taken off the table. Oregon eliminated leg hold trapping a few years back in large part because of a media push by the anti trapping community and a successful misinformation campaign stating how cruel and inhumane this form of trapping is. The anti trapping community was successful in their misinformation campaign because the majority of voters live in urban areas where the hunting/trapping life style is very low. The rural voters, where they are the ones that have to deal with these pests are out numbered.
Never underestimate the stupidity of the voter, and the urban Washington voters can be easily swayed.
Hope I'm wrong on this one because if we as hunters, outdoorsmen and conservationist don't become vocal and convince the misinformed we will have lost a valuable resource and a tradition we can't replace.

You have your facts wrong. Oregon trappers can still use foot traps, of course no open season on wolves there.
It is Washington trappers that lost the use of foot traps, conibears and snares in the year 2000 when Initiative 713 passed.
If wolves in WA were delisted, declared a furbearer and an open season declared we could still not trap them because the tools we would need are illegal for us to use.
There is a special permit process for padded jaw traps that could be used but it can only be issued for damage control, scientific research or public safety.

[wence5]

This is a good idea, that's why it has a snowballs chance of happening in Washington. This is working well in Idaho because there are enough people that hunt and are true conservationist that understand the big picture. Here, being there are more non hunters and liberals that vote with their hearts and not their heads inhabiting the major population areas, I can see a push by wolfaboo's to make sure leg hold trapping is taken off the table. Oregon eliminated leg hold trapping a few years back in large part because of a media push by the anti trapping community and a successful misinformation campaign stating how cruel and inhumane this form of trapping is. The anti trapping community was successful in their misinformation campaign because the majority of voters live in urban areas where the hunting/trapping life style is very low. The rural voters, where they are the ones that have to deal with these pests are out numbered.
Never underestimate the stupidity of the voter, and the urban Washington voters can be easily swayed.
Hope I'm wrong on this one because if we as hunters, outdoorsmen and conservationist don't become vocal and convince the misinformed we will have lost a valuable resource and a tradition we can't replace.

You have your facts wrong. Oregon trappers can still use foot traps, of course no open season on wolves there.
It is Washington trappers that lost the use of foot traps, conibears and snares in the year 2000 when Initiative 713 passed.
If wolves in WA were delisted, declared a furbearer and an open season declared we could still not trap them because the tools we would need are illegal for us to use.
There is a special permit process for padded jaw traps that could be used but it can only be issued for damage control, scientific research or public safety.

I stand corrected on my states, but my point was substantiated by your statement.

[pd]

What a great idea!

I just joined!  $35 to join, and the money goes to successful trappers ($500/dog).

Sometimes you just have to put your money where your mouth is (membership letter attached).

[bearpaw]

Bumping this up for anyone who may want to join to help Idaho with their wolf problem.