“Recreational trappers”?

[Loup Loup]

Reading Humptulips post, which I take he forwarded from WDFW about sample collection.
They adderess us as Recreational trappers. And sign off with a Recreational trappers contact addy.
Since when is trapping in Washington labeled as recreational?
A trapping license is a commercial license. Same as commercial fishing or taxidermy.
Even though some trappers may trap for other reasons, trapping as a whole is a commercial activity.
To label trapping as recreational belittles the trade, and makes us vulnerable to having trapping taken away as they will label it as sport.

[Humptulips]

Can't argue with anything you said. I just copied and pasted, never thought about it.

[Loup Loup]

I know Bruce. I knew you just forwarded it from WDFW.

[EnglishSetter]

I'm not a trapper of any sorts, but I think they're expecting better participation from guys who do it more as a hobby than to put food on the table.

At minimum, it invites those aren't totally "plugged into" the trapping world.

[Frank The Tank]

Do ding on the original language of the post, but there's a good talking point E.D. (but not the Viagra type) brings up; "Recreational Trapper" is like saying "Recreational Hunter"....is there another type?  I dislike the term "Recreational" as it paints a negative mental image of trapping in my view.  Even something like "Consumptive use" would be better. 

[JakeLand]

Call me old school I’m a “ free trapper “

[Loup Loup]

I have never seen WDFW use the term recreational trapper before. What is wrong with the term used forever: Trapper. Why belittle us?
There are only two explanations for treating a user group with discrimination through WDFW actions, inactions, or words. It’s either incompetence, or maliciousness.
I beleive this is another premeditated malicious act to put another arrow in their quiver for future use to curtail, or outlaw trapping down the road. There is a growing faction in WDFW and the commission that have been on this road for quite awhile.

[MADMAX]

I have never seen WDFW use the term recreational trapper before. What is wrong with the term used forever: Trapper. Why belittle us?
There are only two explanations for treating a user group with discrimination through WDFW actions, inactions, or words. It’s either incompetence, or maliciousness.
I beleive this is another premeditated malicious act to put another arrow in their quiver for future use to curtail, or outlaw trapping down the road. There is a growing faction in WDFW and the commission that have been on this road for quite awhile.

Still appears the same commissioners that did the decisions and emails behind the scenes are active

[bearpaw]

Reading Humptulips post, which I take he forwarded from WDFW about sample collection.
They adderess us as Recreational trappers. And sign off with a Recreational trappers contact addy.
Since when is trapping in Washington labeled as recreational?
A trapping license is a commercial license. Same as commercial fishing or taxidermy.
Even though some trappers may trap for other reasons, trapping as a whole is a commercial activity.
To label trapping as recreational belittles the trade, and makes us vulnerable to having trapping taken away as they will label it as sport.

Trying to look at this from an anti-hunting commissioner standpoint, perhaps they want to label trappers as recreational so it casts an unnecessary aura regarding trapping, therefore easier to justify eliminating trapping totally one day!

[MADMAX]

Reading Humptulips post, which I take he forwarded from WDFW about sample collection.
They adderess us as Recreational trappers. And sign off with a Recreational trappers contact addy.
Since when is trapping in Washington labeled as recreational?
A trapping license is a commercial license. Same as commercial fishing or taxidermy.
Even though some trappers may trap for other reasons, trapping as a whole is a commercial activity.
To label trapping as recreational belittles the trade, and makes us vulnerable to having trapping taken away as they will label it as sport.

Trying to look at this from an anti-hunting commissioner standpoint, perhaps they want to label trappers as recreational so it casts an unnecessary aura regarding trapping, therefore easier to justify eliminating trapping totally one day!

I honestly think that’s exactly what it is.
Would be very easy to say well we don’t need to have recreational control on predators.
 What if inadvertently they catch a wolf by our “recreation trappers”
I think the wording certainly should be changed

[Humptulips]

I do not think there is any hidden motive behind DFW using the term recreational. The Commission doesn't come into play at all. This is strictly coming from management. I think they use the term because they don't know there is a problem with it. There is no reason they have to put recreational i front of trappers. I will speak to them and make our feelings known. I bet that is all it takes. 

[Jake Dogfish]

I do not think there is any hidden motive behind DFW using the term recreational. The Commission doesn't come into play at all. This is strictly coming from management. I think they use the term because they don't know there is a problem with it. There is no reason they have to put recreational i front of trappers. I will speak to them and make our feelings known. I bet that is all it takes.

Totally agree, excellent post.

[MADMAX]

I do not think there is any hidden motive behind DFW using the term recreational. The Commission doesn't come into play at all. This is strictly coming from management. I think they use the term because they don't know there is a problem with it. There is no reason they have to put recreational i front of trappers. I will speak to them and make our feelings known. I bet that is all it takes.

good to hear

[Loup Loup]

Of course the commission doesn’t do any work: like sending out letters to user groups or set up computer addresses, but there are members of WDFW who are sycophantic to the antitrapping commission.
This new label is a move that a kissarse hopes will get him/her a browny point.
Again, these wrong moves by WDFW are either incompetence, or malicious.
And, either way, they take a negative toll on not only trappers but all user groups.

[GWP]

I do not think there is any hidden motive behind DFW using the term recreational. The Commission doesn't come into play at all. This is strictly coming from management. I think they use the term because they don't know there is a problem with it. There is no reason they have to put recreational i front of trappers. I will speak to them and make our feelings known. I bet that is all it takes.

Really?
Sorry, but after a lifetime of living in Washington State watching the VERY intentional eroding of hunting and fishing here I do NOT believe that it was accidental or without nefarious intent for future use. Why would they purposefully change the wording? It would take more effort to change it than leave it alone.
Future fee increase? Elimination of more opportunity? While I do not look for motive behind every action, THEIR actions in this State make me think there is a future purpose behind the action.