Hunting Washington Forum
Other Activities => Trapping => Topic started by: Wahotaho on December 20, 2012, 05:24:16 PM
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Nearly a year after Washington state voters banned most forms of trapping, landowners, wildlife officials and trappers say they're dealing with the consequences. Dam-building beavers flood timber land. Coyotes snatch more lambs. River otters treat salmon hatcheries as all-you-can-eat buffets.
Initiative 713 bans the use of body-gripping traps to capture any mammal for recreation or commerce in fur.
This petition requests that part of Initiative 713 be amended and that the Washington state government legalize trapping during the general trapping season with padded body gripping traps for the good of our state.
Many people in our fair state have the false impression that ALL body gripping traps are downright cruel. This isn’t always true, because when people think of body-gripping traps they think of steel traps with razor sharp teeth that break the leg of their victim. But padded traps are a painless, more effective and yet still a humane way of trapping. As seen in this video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpu-EPStTVg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpu-EPStTVg#)
You may be thinking why not just use cage traps*? Good question, cage traps are not nearly as effective as padded foot traps, which is the reason that trappers haven’t been nearly as successful** after Initiative 713 was passed. This law has caused populations of certain animals to rise, creating an imbalance in the Eco-system. This has resulted in too many otters eating salmon, wolves snatching lambs, raccoons passing rabies to humans and other animals etc.
Padded traps also aren't bad for the environment because the population of fur bearing animals regularly goes up in the spring, because the carrying capacity*** for wildlife goes up, animals are born then in the winter when the carrying capacity goes down. The surplus animals usually die of starvation, disease or predation.
In comparison padded foot-hold traps cause way less suffering to the animal that will likely die anyway.
The idea of padded traps being illegal is very illogical because it indirectly threatens human lives. Who could justify that?
*A cage trap is a device that the animal walks into to get some bait inside, and steps on a trigger which closes the door.
**Trapper success reports can be found here: http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/ (http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/)
***The carrying capacity is the number of animals that one habitat can safely support.
Go here to sign.:
www.change.org/petitions/washington-state-government-say-no-to-rabies-and-other-problems-caused-by-wildlife#share (http://www.change.org/petitions/washington-state-government-say-no-to-rabies-and-other-problems-caused-by-wildlife#share)
Go here to see my other petitions:
trappershaverights.blogspot.com/
Sincerely,
William Aho
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Lots of unintended consequences too....probably more animals trapped now at all times of year..wasting a resource and trapping pregnant and worthless animals. Now a few people charge for a formallly free service. The game Dept lost their most accurate means of measuring furbearer populations over long periods of time...although they did not help fight this Dumb law.
Will sign gladly
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Done. But I don't do facebook so I can't pass it on that way
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Thanks for the signature. Tell your friends!
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I signed, but would like to see underwater conis and mole traps included, as well, guess we gotta start somewhere though.
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Is this a joke? "Nearly a year after Washington state voters banned most forms of trapping..."
Initiative 713 was passed 12 years ago, not 1 year ago.
Also, the entire text of the petition is as follows:
"To:Washington State Government
Say "NO" to Rabies and Other Problems Caused by Wildlife
Sincerely,
[Your name]"
We need to continue to support serious efforts to overturn Initiative 713, but this isn't it.
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I sure won't give someone a hard time who is trying to do something, but I will say it is complete bunk that padded legholds are more humane. They can acutally cause alot more leg and foot damage than a standard leghold trap.
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I sure won't give someone a hard time who is trying to do something, but I will say it is complete bunk that padded legholds are more humane. They can acutally cause alot more leg and foot damage than a standard leghold trap.
Agreed! A well laminated steel solid trap is the best way to go for you and the animal.
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I sure won't give someone a hard time who is trying to do something, but I will say it is complete bunk that padded legholds are more humane. They can acutally cause alot more leg and foot damage than a standard leghold trap.
Agreed! A well laminated steel solid trap is the best way to go for you and the animal.
Offset jaws or standard?
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i will sign gladly, i have a ton of traps that have all been offset or laminated just hangn in the garage takin up alot of space, not to mention slide bars, wire and boxes and boxes of chain and swivels, and trap stakes and the list goes on and on, well in short they would sure look alot better in the woods somewhere help control the bobcat population, show me where to sign. :tup:
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I agree with Machius.. Once the animal is caught by the leg ...not the body :dunno: :chuckle: They try to get out by jumping - twisting and rolling trying to free themselves and doing damage to their legs ...I would love to see trapping come back into Washington but I think once they sign a petition in Washington it is never going to be over turned ...Just my opinion but nothen wrong with trying ... :tup:
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I sure won't give someone a hard time who is trying to do something, but I will say it is complete bunk that padded legholds are more humane. They can acutally cause alot more leg and foot damage than a standard leghold trap.
Agreed! A well laminated steel solid trap is the best way to go for you and the animal.
Offset jaws or standard?
Both have shown to be much better at preventing leg and foot damage than alot of the so called padded jaws.
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Am all for it but work through the Association...I did not sign because I am leary of the mandatory Email address etc
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Yes, I know that the animal gets more injured with the padded trap than with the standard leg-hold trap, but it's the only way to convince the bleeding hearts.
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How bout padded conibears? :chuckle:
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Yes even padded conibears.
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This petition requests that part of Initiative 713 be amended and that the Washington state government legalize trapping during the general trapping season with padded body gripping traps for the good of our state.
So yes, even padded conibears.lol :chuckle:
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Actually the bill we have been working on takes a different tac then your petition.
I honestly think the chances of the petition being effective are nil.
Here is the core of what we are trying to get:
(3) It is unlawful to use or authorize the use of any steel-jawed leghold trap or any other body-gripping trap to capture any animal, except as provided in subsections (4), (5) and (6) of this section.
(4) Nothing in this section prohibits the use of any body-gripping trap that meets the standards set forth in the Best Management Practices (BMPs)for Trapping as set forth by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies or the standards set forth by The Canadian Wildlife Directors, Competent Authorities for implementation of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHT by anyone that has completed a course in safe, humane and proper trapping as set forth in RCW77.65.460
{There are currently traps certified through scientific testing to be humane and effective for the following animals that live in WA: Badger; Marten; Beaver; Bobcat; Coyote; Fisher; Mink; Muskrat; Nutria; Opossum; Raccoon; Red Fox; River Otter; Striped Skunk; Weasel and Wolf. These are the only animals that this section would apply to.}
To see what traps are approved and for what specie go to: http://jjcdev.com/~fishwild/?section=best_management_practices (http://jjcdev.com/~fishwild/?section=best_management_practices)
and
http://www.fur.ca/files/trap%20list/certified_traps_Oct18_E.pdf (http://www.fur.ca/files/trap%20list/certified_traps_Oct18_E.pdf)
(5)Nothing in this section prohibits The Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission from approving for use, specific body gripping traps for mammals that there has been no scientific testing for humane and effective traps, provided that the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended such traps for a specific species of mammal that is causing or has the potential to cause an animal problem.
{This section allows the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission (WSF&WC) to approve traps for use for animals not mentioned below Section 4. This would include but not limited to such animals as Moles; Gophers and Mountain Beavers. This section would not allow the approval of traps other then those listed in the BMPs and AIHTs for listed species in the BMPs and AIHTs.)
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Bruce, how do we go about helping to push this bill, or is it still in the development stage? thanks in advance.
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For any of you that voted for or have Van de Wege as your rep you need to know he is one of our worst enemies in State Gov. He represents a rural community and has an A rating with the NRA(probably because he has not had to vote on any matters related to guns and just filled out their questionaire correctly). Anyway, I hope I'm not speaking out of line, but I have heard from several guys on our side that he has been a problem in us getting the initiative overturned or even getting a hearing on our.
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Hey onetrapper, nice to see you on here (Brandon, from Garrison auctioneers)
I talked with You at the preview of the elma auction.
Day of the auction, I noticed there was a pu with a couple of beaver in the back, never got to find out who it was, thought maybe You, it was out of season so figured it was ADC work.
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Bruce, how do we go about helping to push this bill, or is it still in the development stage? thanks in advance.
It is still in the development stage. When it is introduced you will hear more.
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Thanks Bruce, let Us all know how We can all help when it comes to fruition....
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I would like to know when this is introduced as well!
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Actually the bill we have been working on takes a different tac then your petition.
I honestly think the chances of the petition being effective are nil.
Here is the core of what we are trying to get:
(3) It is unlawful to use or authorize the use of any steel-jawed leghold trap or any other body-gripping trap to capture any animal, except as provided in subsections (4), (5) and (6) of this section.
(4) Nothing in this section prohibits the use of any body-gripping trap that meets the standards set forth in the Best Management Practices (BMPs)for Trapping as set forth by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies or the standards set forth by The Canadian Wildlife Directors, Competent Authorities for implementation of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHT by anyone that has completed a course in safe, humane and proper trapping as set forth in RCW77.65.460
{There are currently traps certified through scientific testing to be humane and effective for the following animals that live in WA: Badger; Marten; Beaver; Bobcat; Coyote; Fisher; Mink; Muskrat; Nutria; Opossum; Raccoon; Red Fox; River Otter; Striped Skunk; Weasel and Wolf. These are the only animals that this section would apply to.}
To see what traps are approved and for what specie go to: http://jjcdev.com/~fishwild/?section=best_management_practices (http://jjcdev.com/~fishwild/?section=best_management_practices)
and
http://www.fur.ca/files/trap%20list/certified_traps_Oct18_E.pdf (http://www.fur.ca/files/trap%20list/certified_traps_Oct18_E.pdf)
(5)Nothing in this section prohibits The Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission from approving for use, specific body gripping traps for mammals that there has been no scientific testing for humane and effective traps, provided that the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended such traps for a specific species of mammal that is causing or has the potential to cause an animal problem.
{This section allows the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission (WSF&WC) to approve traps for use for animals not mentioned below Section 4. This would include but not limited to such animals as Moles; Gophers and Mountain Beavers. This section would not allow the approval of traps other then those listed in the BMPs and AIHTs for listed species in the BMPs and AIHTs.)
Sorry my computer is way too slow for those links. What traps are more effective the leg-hold traps?
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I will not sign this petition as there are several inaccuracies in the introduction that I will not stand behind. Also, even though probably well meaning, the tact of this petition is half baked and poorly thought out.
If you want to support trapping, unite behind the WSTA's approach.
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Actually the bill we have been working on takes a different tac then your petition.
I honestly think the chances of the petition being effective are nil.
Here is the core of what we are trying to get:
(3) It is unlawful to use or authorize the use of any steel-jawed leghold trap or any other body-gripping trap to capture any animal, except as provided in subsections (4), (5) and (6) of this section.
(4) Nothing in this section prohibits the use of any body-gripping trap that meets the standards set forth in the Best Management Practices (BMPs)for Trapping as set forth by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies or the standards set forth by The Canadian Wildlife Directors, Competent Authorities for implementation of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHT by anyone that has completed a course in safe, humane and proper trapping as set forth in RCW77.65.460
{There are currently traps certified through scientific testing to be humane and effective for the following animals that live in WA: Badger; Marten; Beaver; Bobcat; Coyote; Fisher; Mink; Muskrat; Nutria; Opossum; Raccoon; Red Fox; River Otter; Striped Skunk; Weasel and Wolf. These are the only animals that this section would apply to.}
To see what traps are approved and for what specie go to: http://jjcdev.com/~fishwild/?section=best_management_practices (http://jjcdev.com/~fishwild/?section=best_management_practices)
and
http://www.fur.ca/files/trap%20list/certified_traps_Oct18_E.pdf (http://www.fur.ca/files/trap%20list/certified_traps_Oct18_E.pdf)
(5)Nothing in this section prohibits The Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission from approving for use, specific body gripping traps for mammals that there has been no scientific testing for humane and effective traps, provided that the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended such traps for a specific species of mammal that is causing or has the potential to cause an animal problem.
{This section allows the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission (WSF&WC) to approve traps for use for animals not mentioned below Section 4. This would include but not limited to such animals as Moles; Gophers and Mountain Beavers. This section would not allow the approval of traps other then those listed in the BMPs and AIHTs for listed species in the BMPs and AIHTs.)
Sorry my computer is way too slow for those links. What traps are more effective the leg-hold traps?
I really do not want to go into the entire history of Best Management Practises but I'll give you the short version. In 1997 the US signed an agreement of understanding with the EU to do testing to determine the most humane and effective traps for each species trapped in the US. For the last 15 years testing has been going on. Different traps were tested for each species. We were doing it here in WA prior to I-713. Testing is still ongoing but BMPs have been published for many species. As a for instance western coyote BMPs have been out for quite a while. Many brands of traps meet the guidlines or may be modified to meet the guidlines. Most are foothold traps but they have to meet the guidlines to be legal to use under the wording of our proposal. I believe most any #3 would be legal for coyotes but depending on brand it may have to be modified with such things as jaw laminations and center swiveling
The Canadians signed a seperate but similar agreement and have their own list of aproved traps.