Received this today. E-mail address to comment is at the bottom of the page.
Trappers, We need some letters again. They need to be received by this Friday, the 18th. Thanks in advance for your help.
Paul Carlisle
OTA Secretary/Treasurer
This could be a major event for the anti trappers and keep in mind that I believe their number one priority is a 24 hour trap check. Good sensible well spoken people will be a great advantage to us at the fur bearer hearings. So far the emails against trapping outnumber the pro trapping emails. Lets change that around before Friday!
Bob Gilman
OSWA and OFIC met with ODF&W Director Elicker and key staff members last Friday on several issues. Primarily how previous legislation relating to trap check times (legislative intent of HB-3147) was being considered in developing staff recommendations for the Commission’s June 7 meeting on furbearer regulations. The Commission plans to deal with Wildlife issues on Thursday, June 7 and Fish issues on Friday June, 8. At this point, the anticipated order of issues following the usual Staff and Financial reports on Thursday would be: Bear Plan, Big Game Tag numbers, A&H Projects and end with the Trapping Regulations. While all important issues on a personal and professional level…the Bear Plan and Trapping Regulations are the most important forestry “business” topics.
While it was inappropriate for them to share with us on Friday what Staff recommendations on the trapping regulations will be…. Roger and I both have confidence that, based on the Commission discussion in April, the primary focus could likely be limited to trap “set-back” distances on trails on Public Lands. We don’t believe the other recommendations included in the HSUS Petition generated much interest with the “current” Commission… Key word being “current”! There remains the distinct possibility that the Governor will present a slate of three Commission replacements during the May 21, 23, 23 Interim Committee meetings and they could be making the decisions on these issues in their very first meeting….! The other wild-card is that the names of potential nominees is still unavailable outside the Governor’s office.
When asked about the correspondence received to-date…as suspected the “anti-trapping form letters” were the clear winners on numbers, but obviously lacking in “original” content and first-hand knowledge. Again, while Roger and I feel positive that a good outcome on both issues is likely, we don’t want to take that for granted especially with the possibility of three new and unknown Commissioners.
Commissioner packets for the upcoming June meeting will be mailed on Wed, May 23. They will also include Staff Recommendations and Public Correspondence on the various issues. They will then be available to the public the following Tuesday, May 29. In order for correspondence to be included in the May 23 mailing, they must be received at ODF&W headquarters by Friday May 18 (this Friday)!
OFIC, OSWA, Farm Bureau, Cattleman’s Association, Trappers Association and several other Organizations will participate in testimony at the meeting, and it wouldn’t hurt to have a few real landowners/land managers in the audience that day, if your schedules will allow.
To my request…We believe it would be VERY helpful to have 15-20 individual communications from individual landowners to maintain trapping regulations to continue to effectively address damage issues on Private lands. I’ve provided a few topics below to incorporate into your communication. You don’t have to use them all, or cut & paste exactly…it would be much better received if it were in your own words from your own experience. It doesn’t have to be lengthy, just to the point.
Your help to ensure a positive outcome is needed…. so don’t assume someone else will send a letter….
Furbearer Regulations (relating to trapping)
· The current regulations and statutes provide the effectiveness and flexibility necessary to address damage.
· Landowners and their agents are willing to make operational adjustments… where clear facts and data indicate it is necessary, not just “because”…
· Unfortunate situations relating to trapping seem to be more related to public behavior rather than operational or regulatory factors – educational opportunity?
If changes related to “set-backs” on Public Trails on Public lands are considered, it should be focused on “official” numbered and maintained trails. Just any trail would be difficult to address.
· Extensive participation by landowners in the Best Management Practices Task Force (BMP), Animal Damage Council and other collaborative processes have resulted in effective tools when necessary,
· There is a growing reliance of public wildlife on private land habitat which is disappearing to a greater degree on public lands.
· Your thoughts…
Comments mailed : ODF&W, Commission Comments, 3406 Cherry Ave. NE, Salem, OR 97303
Comments E-Mailed: ODFW.comments@state.or.us
