Show your support for an ID wolf trapper!

[MichaelJ]

The trapper mentioned here in the article is a member over on MM.com and I've talked with him quite a bit and he his a great guy!  He was finally able to trap a wolf a few weeks ago and posted the story and now the pics have been put up as animal cruelty.  Vote in the poll on this page and read his story..

http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/Environmentalists-accuse-Idaho-trapper-of-animal-cruelty-146143175.html

[WAcoyotehunter]

The pictures are totally inappropriate for a public forum.  Even if the guy is a nice guy, the pictures he posted are a black eye for all trappers.  There are a few other threads on here about this subject

[stillhunter]

He may be a great guy but to me the pictures show a lack of judgement and common sense.  Why when this is such a controversial and polarizing issue would you willingly and of your own volition add fuel the the controversy?  While this issue is this volatile, there needs to be some careful thought before anything that may be twisted or interpreted to put hunters/trappers in a bad light is written, publicised or posted on a public forum. 
   Now with that said.  The trapper was within his rights, it should be the punks who were shooting the wolf that should be pissing people off, they were ruining a great pelt!!!!!

[MichaelJ]

I have ZERO problems with the pics... he'd been hard after wolves all season long and finally got one in a leg hold trap in open ground.  Quite the feat I'm told and he was proud of it.  Should we all stop posting pictures of our kills because it may offend some??

Mike

[Cuda]

I have ZERO problems with the pics... he'd been hard after wolves all season long and finally got one in a leg hold trap in open ground.  Quite the feat I'm told and he was proud of it.  Should we all stop posting pictures of our kills because it may offend some??

Mike

The harvest pics are no problem at all. It's the live pics that are creating the issue. If you think it is ethical to take pictures of bull elk hung up in a fence and dying or your neighbors dog that has been hit by a car before you help the animal or disbatch it, then I guess there is no problem here. Animals we harvest legally and ethically make great picture opportunities that should be shared with the hunting community. Any outside of that are inappropriate and should not be shared (or taken). It is up to us to protect the sport we all enjoy and teach our future generation hunting (and trapping) ethics.

[stillhunter]

I personally don't have a problem with the pics either, but all you have to do is look at that pic with the wolf in a trap, and blood on the snow and you know that that is gonna cause a fire storm of reaction from the anti's and paint us as unfeeling and cruel, and will throw influence toward the undecided masses that we as a whole are cruel and unfeeling.  I know that is not the case but come on how is that going to look to someone who has no knowledge of trapping or hunting and is not biased one way or another.  Also as to the hunting kill photos, post em up all over the place they don't show the "beloved" #$mn wolf in a leg hold trap with blood on the snow and a smiling trapper in front. they are usually on the ground with the "lights out".  so lets just think before we escalate the opposition.

[Machias]

Next time you talk to him ask him if he was asleep in the wolf trapping class where they begged us not to be stupid and put wolf trapping photos on the web?  I support his right to trap, but he was a bonehead for putting it on the web, for precisely what is happening.  Idaho trappers did an outstanding job this year even though they were under intense scrutiny, this guy has undone all that good work by posting this photo...and it was mentioned over and over in the class don't be dumb and post these on the web.

[Chase 1]

  I can't support the poor judgement this guy used when he posted the pic. People make mistakes and everyone should learn from this and not make a similar one. In a media war, like with anything, a picture is worth 1000 words. Don't hand the huggers any bullets! Posted means Public!

[wazzu99]

None of us want wolves here but we all have to be smarter about it than this.     This only gives them ammunition to show the bleeding hearts in downtime Seattle that have never seen a wolf.

Wazzu

[Bigshooter]

The pictures are totally inappropriate for a public forum.  Even if the guy is a nice guy, the pictures he posted are a black eye for all trappers.  There are a few other threads on here about this subject

Total horse sh!t.  Since when is something that is compeletly legal inappropriate for a public forum?

[Machias]

The pictures are totally inappropriate for a public forum.  Even if the guy is a nice guy, the pictures he posted are a black eye for all trappers.  There are a few other threads on here about this subject

Total horse sh!t.  Since when is something that is compeletly legal inappropriate for a public forum?

Look the ID Trapper's Association asked it's members NOT to post photos like this for this very reason.  It's the same reason it's perfectly legal to ride around town with your deer gutted and on the hood of your car, but 99% of hunters would want to kick you in your junk if you did.  It's just not a smart thing to do....you have to be able to see that???

[MichaelJ]

If it weren't for the guys who were shooting at the wolf and wounding it, there would of been ZERO problems...  A little bit of blood on the ground and you guys are throwing this guy under the bus.   

That guy has been posting his trapping pics in a thread on a public forum all winter long.  He had multiple pictures of bobcats, coyotes, and even a fischer (which he released) in leg hold traps.  Had probably 10+ pics of live bobcats, 2 or 3 yote pics, and a few other pictures of friends' trapped wolves.  Nobody bitched about anything. You can see from the picture of the paw in the trap that the wolf was not under much pain nor suffering until the guys showed up and started shooting from a distance thus wounding it and causing the blood in the snow and the wolf to start suffering.  Which is technically illegal as they were messing with an animal in another person's trap.  Also the chain got frozen under the snow which didn't allow the animal to reach cover like he'd planned it.  Chit happens...

I stand by my opinion that he did nothing wrong and should get as much support as possible.  The antis can eat a rock as far as I'm concerned...  He checks his traps frequently during the required intervals, and got a phone call from a friend saying that he'd caught a wolf and some guys had taken a few shots at it, he rushed out as soon as possible, got a few pics in then dispatched the wolf.

If pics of wolf killed deer and elk don't bother antis, but this does, then they can go stick their hurt feelings where the sun don't shine.   

It was perfectly legal situation, and if he wanted to post some pictures then he was within his rights.  It wasn't the smartest thing to do I'll admit, and he's probably regretting it now which is why we should give him as much support as possible!

Mike

WARNING:  This post contains an opinion!

[rebal69972]

I can't support the pics. I traped for a lot of years and all pics where takin back at the truck or at least away from my traps. Any animal harvested should be dispatched as quickly as posable. This would raise a fuss even if it where a yote. Shot first pics second

[Curly]

Probably the only thing wrong that he did was to post the pics on the net.

[MuleySniper]

Probably the only thing wrong that he did was to post the pics on the net.

 
To each their own. I personally think the pic is distasteful. Anyone should automatically know you need to have thick skin if you want to post ANY hunting pic on the good ol WWW.

[ribka]

I have lived and worked all over the United States including in large metropolitan areas on east and west coast. I have talked to well over one hundred non hunters about my hunting lifestyle including many virulent  anti-hunters.

Here's a clue for you: 95% of of the voting American public do not hunt. They are ok with hunting as long as they think the game is utilized after the shot. Almost all are against "trophy hunting" They do not like to see animals suffer including wolves, deer cats , bear.

More and more of these non hunters are moving to states like Washington, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, Nm, Arizona, Idaho etc

What group of people helped ban bear and cat hunting with dogs here in WA?

The quickest way to get hunting seasons lessoned or outright banned in some cases, which is happening in many liberal states, is to post photos like this.

As outdoorsmen we have the responsibility to dispatch humanely as quickly as possible any game we shoot , catch or trap.

The non hunting wolf luvers think that wolves only kill the sick and the weak. You will not change their perceptions.

This guy is going to get wolf hunting banned if he others keep doing this.

Would you take a photo next to a deer with its jaw blown off and still living with a big smile on your face and post it on the web?

If it weren't for the guys who were shooting at the wolf and wounding it, there would of been ZERO problems...  A little bit of blood on the ground and you guys are throwing this guy under the bus.   

That guy has been posting his trapping pics in a thread on a public forum all winter long.  He had multiple pictures of bobcats, coyotes, and even a fischer (which he released) in leg hold traps.  Had probably 10+ pics of live bobcats, 2 or 3 yote pics, and a few other pictures of friends' trapped wolves.  Nobody bitched about anything. You can see from the picture of the paw in the trap that the wolf was not under much pain nor suffering until the guys showed up and started shooting from a distance thus wounding it and causing the blood in the snow and the wolf to start suffering.  Which is technically illegal as they were messing with an animal in another person's trap.  Also the chain got frozen under the snow which didn't allow the animal to reach cover like he'd planned it.  Chit happens...

I stand by my opinion that he did nothing wrong and should get as much support as possible.  The antis can eat a rock as far as I'm concerned...  He checks his traps frequently during the required intervals, and got a phone call from a friend saying that he'd caught a wolf and some guys had taken a few shots at it, he rushed out as soon as possible, got a few pics in then dispatched the wolf.

If pics of wolf killed deer and elk don't bother antis, but this does, then they can go stick their hurt feelings where the sun don't shine.   

It was perfectly legal situation, and if he wanted to post some pictures then he was within his rights.  It wasn't the smartest thing to do I'll admit, and he's probably regretting it now which is why we should give him as much support as possible!

Mike

WARNING:  This post contains an opinion!

[MichaelJ]

If there was a picture of a wolf just  sitting there not struggling against the trap and no blood, would the issue still exist??  Plenty of pics of bobcats and yotes exist on the net and had been posted with zero issues or concerns raised.  I can see how he would think it kosher to add these to his already extensive thread on his 2012 trapping season.

To me this is just another case similar to the California fish n game commissioner posting a pic of him with a dead moutain lion...

Mike

[Machias]

If there was a picture of a wolf just  sitting there not struggling against the trap and no blood, would the issue still exist??

Nope, probably not.  I have seen plenty of wolf photos and even some video of wolves in legholds, but the photo shows a large red circle, granted not caused by the trap, but that is the impression you get when you look at the photo.  Non hunters/trappers won't go beyond the photo or the headline.  Lots of photos posted on the web of animals in legholds, still alive.  I'm sure he was proud of his catch and was anxious to show it off and never dreamed he'd be the center of a small firestorm.  But they briefed all of us, please don't post ID trapped wolves on the web, no good can come from it.  Ask him, and he'll remember them warning us.  I know becasue he had to take the class and because they stressed it at every class.

[MichaelJ]

Copy that Machias...  I can see your opinion and don't disagree with it. Glad to have some sort of middle ground...

Mike

[Britt-dog]

I continue to be disappointed by my fellow sportsmans responses to the results of perfectly legal activities.

WE ARE OUR OWN WORST ENEMIES!

He did nothing wrong.

Why is it OK to take this picture with Bob, but not a wolf.

[Chase 1]

I continue to be disappointed by my fellow sportsmans responses to the results of perfectly legal activities.

WE ARE OUR OWN WORST ENEMIES!

He did nothing wrong.

Why is it OK to take this picture with Bob, but not a wolf.

I'm disappointed that you have read all the posts on this subject and still don't get it.

[D-Rock425]

   it doesn't matter if it was legal or not.  The guy should use some common sense.   The wolf issue is a sticky subject that sportsman are winning by being able to hunt them finally and then guys post pictures like that and give the wolf lovers more ammo. 

[TheHunt]

I understand the sensative issues here.  BUT to promote hunting we as hunters have to be mindful of non hunters for the sole purpose to leverage their future vote on hunting related topics.  You offend them you loose the future vote of hunting access, hunting seasons, hunting weapons, etc...

It is a bunch of crap that everyone cannot do their own them without others impossing their beliefs on everyone else?  YES,  but it will never changed.  Is there times which you should say just live with it and kiss my grits?  YES, e.g. mole trapping would be a good example. 

[elkontherun]

I dont have a problem with the picture but I agree that it probally shouldnt have been posted.  My only coment would be what about the pictures of cougers in trees with dogs barking under them.  Is that cruel to and should those pictures not be posted also? Just wondering? Be proud of what you do take all the pictures of all the things you do show them to all your friends but use good judgment on what you post on the internet.  There are just to many people who will never understand our way of life and our passions.

[boneaddict]

I love people killing wolves, and I'd love to trap, but I lost that right because of not so smart decisions like this guy and this photo.  It doesn't bother me, but its great ammunition....so when Idaho loses its rights to trap, this guy can feel like he was part of that all for a success photo.     BRILLIANT


I still voted No for him though as I don't believe the wolf was killed inhumanely.

[3dsheetmetal]

I love people killing wolves, and I'd love to trap, but I lost that right because of not so smart decisions like this guy and this photo.  It doesn't bother me, but its great ammunition....so when Idaho loses its rights to trap, this guy can feel like he was part of that all for a success photo.     BRILLIA 
                   


   :yeah:Exactly Bone guy wasn't using his common sense at all.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

What this guy did was perfectly legal and within this guys first amendment rights.

People voicing their opinions that this guy and trapping are cruel are within their first amendment rights.

At best this guy was very naive and didn't realize that the picture would start a sheet storm (which makes him very ignorant in my opinion  ) at worst this was prideful and he didn't care about the black-eye this gives trappers with the general public (legal or not). Either way it was poor decision making on the part of this fellow.

I for one support this guys first amendment "right" to post the pics of a legal act.....but I don't like the fact that he actually exercised that right in this case. It shows poor decision making and I personally do see some ethical issues particularly since the animal was wounded by some other guys shooting it..... that being the case he should have dispatched it quickly rather than using the opportunity as an ego boost. 

[Elkaholic daWg]

 Voted support, but he was not real smart to post pics

[nwwanderer]

The wolfers seem to enjoy posting videos of the pack chasing/consuming a live prey animal.  Seems a double standard to me.

[boneaddict]

You need to remember....what percentage of people like trapping.....what percentage of the people hate trapping........and what percentage of the people are totally CLUELESS but have the right to vote.   Your heritage,passion, hobby, way of life, etc. lives in the balance of those scales.