Proposed wording change for trap checking?

[wags]

It's really too bad trappers (both fur and NCO) can't stick together for a year or two and just refuse to trap anything.
They'd be begging us to take care of their problem animals; it would be fun to just sit back and laugh at the clowns in Olympia.

[Pegasus]

I am surprised with the amount of liberals in Olympia and Seattle that they haven't completely outlawed trapping of all species much like they did with the hounds. Get ready because you know it is coming.

[Jake Dogfish]

They are voting on this change at 10:50am today.
When the staff presented this to the commission at a previous meeting they did not explain the concerns voiced in this thread.  I think it’s highly likely this will pass.

[Humptulips]

I sent a long letter to the Director last week about this and then had a long conversation about it with Eric Gardner and Anis Aoude. They agreed to withdraw this from consideration. Yesterday I was at the Commission meeting and they did indeed withdraw it but it will likely come up again in a year. I testified as to why we don't like the language anyway and answered a few questions from Commissioners. Just guessing but from the tone of there questions we are not going to get by with the status quo. Nobody except trappers seems to like the current wording.
Before the meeting and during breaks I spoke with the Director, Chief Bear, Eric and Anis about it. I think we can get wording that says you must check every day rather than this 24 hour time. Chief Bear suggested a 36 hour check time so they are willing to give a little. Anyway it is put off for a year and I should be in on any changes at the onset. I think I stirred things up a bit with my letter.
Also they are caving on the KORO rat trap issue and it looks like we will be able to use them next year.

[bearpaw]

I'm wondering why the change? Is this just to appease the trapper hating anti hunters?

[Humptulips]

I had thought it might revolve around an out of State trapper that the Department wanted to cite but could not because he never caught anything in the traps Enforcement was watching. That is a guess though and when a Commissioner asked if there were problems that precipitated this there was no answer.
Another possibility this might stem from wording on trap checks endorsed by the Association of F&W Agencies.
The wording they had proposed is common in other states and it is a problem for trappers in those States. I think we can do better.

[bearpaw]

It's pretty darn obvious none of them are trappers! 

[Uncle Juju]

Thank you guy for your watchful eyes and effort towards keeping the tradition alive.

It is clear that they have no clue what it takes to be a trapper! It's nothing like deer or elk hunting...

[predatorpro]

The wdfw never ceases to amaze me with their absolute stupidity and their passion to be completely worthless...can we just sue them for harassment? I’ll just make sure to start saving some money right now for my ticket next season! Can we organize a march and demand to stop being attacked by the wdfw and their anti hunting buddies?

[Oh Mah]

Is it just a ticket? 

I thought (i might be wrong)That not reporting and not checking according to the wording that it was criminal.I'm new to trapping so....


RCW 77.15.194 section (4) penalty section (6)

[Humptulips]

Failure to report is an infraction
Failure to check traps is a misdemeanor.

[Oh Mah]

 

[Cougartail]

They can time stamp all they want. All my sets are viewable from the roads. Proving I didn't check would be tough. Proving I didn't remove an animal in 24 hours is easy.

[JimmieD]

Late to the party, but thanks for the update and at least there is another year before this comes up again......also, great news on that they may cave on the KORO's....that would be fantastic!