Introduction to Modern Day Furbearer Management &

Trapping’s critical role

The Harvest of Wild Furbearers is All About:Conservation and Management

Trapping is Highly Regulated

Trapping is Ecologically Sound

Trapping is Beneficial to Society and Wildlife

Animals trapped are Common and Abundant

Wild Furbearer Trapping is Highly Regulated

• Mandatory licensing of trappers • Mandatory trapper education • Restricted seasons for trapping• Mandatory daily checking of traps• Restrictions on the size of traps • Restricted areas for trapping certain species• Mandatory tagging of traps to identify owner

• Restrictions on the types of traps

Trapping is Ecologically Sound

Help to maintain wild populations Help to maintain some populations in ecological

balance with their habitat

Provide a local, healthy, organic source of food (or clothing) with minimal impacts to other resources

Help to control populations of introduced exotics as nutria

Help to protect declining, rare, threatened, or endangered species by targeting specific predators that are negatively affecting recovery efforts

Provide an opportunity for millions of people to interact with nature and the out-of-doors thereby fostering stewardship and conservation efforts.

Regulated Harvests:

Animals Captured are Common and Abundant

Trapping does not cause wildlife to become endangered

Modern management ensures abundant wildlife

Management amidst habitat loss and degradation

All of the furbearing species that are legally trapped in the Northeast are common and abundant in the area where they live. None are threatened or endangered.

Trapping is Beneficial to Society and Wildlife

Reintroducing Wildlife Protecting America's Wetlands Maintaining National Wildlife Refuges Protecting Public Safety & Private Property Protecting Endangered Species from Predators

Key Points:

History of Trapping in the United States and it’s evolution

Historical Perspective

The trapping of furbearers has been an enduring element of human culture

Trapping furbearers for their fur, meat and other natural products has a long tradition in the Northeast

Many cities and towns founded as fur trading centers during that period still bear witness to the fact that furbearer trapping had a major influence on our history

The utilization of furbearer resources was unchallenged throughout that history until early in the 20th

century, when the first organized opposition to furbearer trapping emerged

History of Trapping in the United States(continued)

The Fur Trade: 300 years ago

The trade in the furs of wild animals between the native Indian people and the first European colonists was the single most important means of contact between two widely different cultures.

2 yards of broad fine cotton ------- 1 otter

6 knives ----------------------------- 8 Mink

5 pecks of Indian corn--------------- 1 Bear

6 combs ------------------------ 4 Raccoons

2 pints of gun powder ----- 5lbs of Feather

1 shirt----------------------- 2 Woodchucks

1 pint of shot -----------------------2 Foxes

2 small axes -------------4 large seal skins

10 pounds of pork -----------1/2 Moose hide

Bartering System:

Historical perspective on challenges to uses of animals and trapping

1920’s - Opposition fought to ban the harvest of all furbearers (focusing on trapping abuses)

1930’s - Furbearer trapping had become a recurrent public issue

Since that time, pro and anti trapping factions have disseminated contradictory information

1980’s – “Animal Rights” organizations gain momentum globally

During later time period, new technologies, advances in ecology, wildlife biology statistics and population biology allowed Wildlife Management to develop into a scientific profession

Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare

Animal Rights and Animal Welfare represent two entirely different perspectives on human/animal coexistence

Animal Rights is based on personal values and philosophy Animal Welfare is based on Science Animal Welfare proponents believe that human use of animals

is appropriate as long as practical measures are taken to ensure that human use does not cause any undue pain or suffering to animals

Animal Rights proponents oppose any human use of animals because they believe animals have the same rights as humans, and therefore should not be used, eaten or owned by people

The primary concern of Animal Welfare advocates is the well-being of animals

The well-being of animals is a secondary concern for Animal Rights advocates

Professional wildlife biologists advocate Animal Welfare. The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA), noting that "the worldwide growth of the animal rights movement threatens all traditional uses of animals," adopted the following position in 1989:

"The IAFWA acknowledges that humans have an inseparable relationship with all other parts of the natural

world. Furthermore, humanity is answerable to another set of laws and concepts that is uniquely a product of human

society. Animals cannot be subject to those laws and concepts and therefore do not have the rights of humans. It is agreed, nonetheless, that animal welfare is a realistic and desirable concept which we support. Humanity does

have responsibilities to animals: ensure ecological integrity, preserve genetic diversity and sustain species and ecosystems. All animals use other animals for their

existence. The responsible human use of animals is natural and appropriate."

Today’s TrappersWho are they and why do they trap?

It’s a way of life – Choice of Lifestyle Independent Self-sufficient, hardworking Stewards of the land Trapping is a central theme in the lives

for those who trap – even if living suburbia

Strong supporters of Conservation programs and Environmental Protection

Today’s Trappers

Primary reasons people trap today:

1. Trapping is a component of their lifestyle that defines them

2. Has deep meaning and purpose

3. Provides sustenance (food, clothing, money)

4. Provides an enduring connection and experience with the natural world.

The Connection ALL Sportsmen Have With One Another

Primary Reason people Hunt, Fish and TRAP are the same:

Lifestyle choice, has deep meaning and purpose, provides food and is an enduring connection to the environment.

Animal Welfare:Best Management Practices for Trapping(BMP’s)

National effort by State and Federal agencies

Derived From Five Components:

1. Welfare of animals2. Efficiency of traps3. Selectivity of traps4. Safety of the traps to people5. The Practical application

Animal Welfare:Testing Traps for BMP’s

1.2 million dollars spent on trap testing program

32 trap types tested in 18 States

Cage traps, snares, footholds and kill traps tested

Tests conducted in real world conditions

Used experienced trappers with wildlife technicians on the trapline

Everyone - managers, regulators, biologists, veterinarians and the public who traps - is interested in using the best technology available for the responsible capture of furbearers.

Animal Welfare:Trapping is Selective

1. Location: Where a trap is located determines to a great extent what animals are likely to enter it.

2. Type of Trap: The use of certain types of traps virtually eliminates the chance that certain species will be captured.

3. Size of Trap: The size of the trap determines to some extent what size animals it will capture.

Pan Tension: Pan or trigger tension is adjustable on many traps.

4. Lure or Bait: Specific baits and lures, often used in conjunction with trap sets, are attractive to specific species of animals.

5. Position of Trigger: Trigger configuration on kill-type traps can be set to allow nontarget species to pass through without setting off the trap.

6.Trap Set: How a trap is handled or placed influences what animals can be captured.

7. Timing: The timing of when traps are set during the trapping season can influence which gender and what age class of animals will be captured

Animal Welfare:

Computer simulation and mechanical evaluation of traps;

Studies of how animals approach traps; Trap performance testing in fenced enclosures; Trap performance testing in the field, and finally Confirmation tests utilizing independent

trappers.

Improving Traps with Science

Live Restraint Devices are HUMANE When Used by Responsible & Trained Individuals

EducationThrough

Factual Information

What can you do to help move Massachusetts forward?

• Get involved and Learn more – Take the Trapper Training Course

•Get your Conservation organization and it’s members to officially recognize trapping as an important activity, and support it

• Call, write, or email your District Representatives. Tell them we need trapping back in this state (tell friends and relatives to do the same)

• Write you local newspaper, and give your opinion on trapping and why we need it

• Go to State public hearings on trapping and make your voice heard

• Make sure people have the facts on trapping

Change Will Not Occur Without YOUGet Involved. Do it For Yourself - For Your Kids - For Wildlife - For Future Generations