Victims & Consequences

Trapping season on wolves in Montana closed on Feb 28

by Kate Boyd

Unlike all the other trapped animals, Montana regulations require trapped wolves to be immediately killed only by gunshot. *

Trappers care the most about preserving the pelts. They frequently refer to how beautiful these indiscriminate, unfortunate, suffering, trapped wolves are.

Notice the consistency in the lack of blood from the required gunshot in many photos.

*A trapper must immediately dispatch any uncollared wolf captured that may be legally possessed unless the trapper is otherwise authorized not to do so by FWP prior to wolf trapping efforts. A trapper with an unfilled bag limit may release an uninjured collared wolf. If a wolf trapper incidentally catches a wolf beyond the legal limit and the wolf is uninjured, the trapper must contact FWP within 24 hours to potentially have the wolf fitted with a radio collar and released.

ALL incidentally captured wolves that are injured must be dispatched by the trapper immediately.

The Wolf Harvest Reports can be viewed on the following page.

Victims & Consequences

Over 61,276 beaver were reported trapped and killed last 9 years in Montana

by Kate Boyd

While Montana allows almost year round, unlimited and non-reported trapping of beaver, for a mere $28 single trapping license purchase, other states and countries convened to discuss and utilize the many benefits of beavers, alive.

“Beaver ponds make for cooler, slower, more complex streams that are conducive to habitats the fish and a variety of species depend on, including red-legged frogs and pond turtles.”

“One single little dam made out of grass, sticks and rocks restored stream flow for two-and-a-half miles of the river,” Houston said.

Beaver-created ponds and riparian habitat are critical to the success of healthy watersheds and species ranging from moose to songbirds. Their riparian zones provide essential browse for elk, deer, moose and cattle.

Beaver ponds create wetlands which are among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world and provide habitats for plants, insects, amphibians, fish, waterfowl , song birds, and mammals. . U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Functions and Values of Wetlands, EPA 843-F-01-002c, September 2001.

In Montana’s last 9 years of recorded furbearer harvest reports, 61,276 beaver were reported trapped and killed from basically just 1/3 of trappers voluntarily reporting. Where again is the science?

Conference highlights importance of beavers

Non-Targets Trapped Elsewhere

Beloved leashed dog dead after seeking a drink courtesy of trapping!

by Kate Boyd

November 27,2016 – Indiana

A beloved leashed dog dead after seeking a drink courtesy of trapping! Officials respond with trapping should remain secreted for obvious reasons.

The popular park was hidden with deadly conibear traps placed in cubbies. As we have said repeatedly, cubbies for the quick killing conibear traps do not save lives. Here in Montana, the large 10 x 10 inch body/head crushing conibears need not even be enclosed in a cubby if 1/3 or more are submerged in water.

The Indiana officials justification for trapping in the park was proclaimed from complaints campers saw a couple of raccoons playing together. Another complaint was the scarcity of raccoons.

Indiana voters just passed the right to protect hunting, fishing and Trapping……as customary intentionally not using the word TRAP/TRAPPING in order to mislead voters and prevent the measure from failing.

Our heartfelt condolences for Copper’s family. We hope some justice will be served but that will not bring Copper back.

Photo Courtesy Huffington Post

Justice for Copper – When a Walk in the Woods Turns Deadly (Huffington Post)

Victims & Consequences

In the past 5 years since Montana opened a season on wolves over 1,000 have been reported shot or trapped for recreational purposes.

by Kate Boyd

In the past 5 years since Montana opened a season on wolves over 1,000 have been reported shot or trapped for recreational purposes.

701 were reported shot by hunters. Trappers reported killing 336.

This does not include wolves killed for depredation purposes or under SB200 in which private landowners can kill under conditions including a perceived threat.

According to Montana FWP, 39 wolves were killed to address depredation issues in 2015, the lowest number in a decade and 18 fewer than last year. We applaud those ranchers that are taking responsible measures by implementing proven non-lethal methods to prevent losses.

Montana has no quota on the number of wolves that can be killed other than no more than 5 per person. The exception applies to 3 units out of 18, i.e. units 110, 313, 316. One unit by Glacier and two are on the outskirts of Yellowstone park, a major increasing and economic draw for people wanting to see wolves alive. Meanwhile, trappers, as well as some hunters, wait across the imaginary park lines to target and kill these iconic universally popular wolves.

Montana’s hunting season on wolves opened 9/3 and ends 3/15 through the breeding, pregnancy and birthing season.
The trapping season opens 12/15 and runs through 2/28.

The blatant promotion of SSS, poison, gut shoot, poaching and other illegal acts against wolves is prolific. We do not know how many wolves succumb to this obsessive ignorance and we’ll never know. Meanwhile, wolf haters publicly celebrate the crimes committed and the criminals never get caught.

To date, this season, 83 wolves have been reported legally shot and killed in Montana by hunters and unit 316 went over quota.

An annual average of 60,000 animals are reported trapped and killed by recreational trappers in Montana. “Incidental” trapping victims and the collateral damage to orphaned and unborn young are not included or factored in.

For example: 48 mountain lions were reported “incidentally” trapped in a two year time frame 2013-2015 in Montana. 16 of those were caught in traps set for wolves. 1/3 of those mountain lions in “wolf trap sets” were dead. FWP does not report the number of trapped “non-target” wildlife that were injured in wolf trap sets but given what we know and the damage these larger leghold traps do, it’s a given injuries occur.The other 32 mountain lions were caught in traps set for other animals and 66% were dead!
84% were DEAD OR INJURED!

What animal is a danger, whose first response is to kill, who kills out of hatred at all costs including to other species, and kills for fun, knowing it to be so, that we should fear or at least be the more concerned with?

Victims & Consequences

Folks agree wildlife are a treat to see alive for many rather than in traps and snares

by Kate Boyd

Known as a symbiotic relationship in a display of mutualism. The coyote assists the badger in catching prey and the badger assists the coyote who waits at times at the exit hole. The interrelationships of species is something to be honored and understood. Unequivocally, folks agree wildlife are a treat to see alive for many rather than in traps and snares elected by a selfish and powerful few. Wildlife are what draws residents and tourists to Montana and are our most treasured resource.

Spotted! A Coyote and Badger Hunting Together

A rare treat to see, but not for trappers to destroy.

Victims & Consequences

No ethical hunter would support trapping!

by Kate Boyd

What would happen to a hunter if they set salt licks on animal trails or by water holes, along with loaded guns, as in “setguns” to shoot and injure or kill whatever animal and as many as possible that came by for their thrill at their discovery days, even weeks, later?

“Incidental” non-target victims are inherent in trapping, legal and condoned as such in Montana.

Trapped protected species do not have to be reported if the trapper decides they can be released “uninjured”.

Trapped Non-target Montana Wildlife Reports

Non-Targets Trapped Elsewhere

Watch out for traps along Peanut Line trail in South Glengarry

by Kate Boyd

October 26,2016 – South Glengarry, Ontario

Conibears, body crushing quicker kill traps, are trappers answers to trapped animals suffering. Here is the story of one exceptionally very lucky dog.

Rosalind Forster with Buddy on Tuesday, Oct. 25 in Williamstown, who recently survived a nightmarish incident when caught and almost choked to death in a Conibear trap on a public recreation trail in South Glengarry.

Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network

Watch out for traps along Peanut Line trail in South Glengarry

Non-Targets Trapped Elsewhere

Puppy gets trapped in a hunting trap while on a hiking excursion

by Kate Boyd

October 21,2016 – Waterford, Maine

Dog owners are universal in recalling the haunting cries of their dogs caught in leghold traps. Yet these would be considered the lucky victims. The deadly hidden snares and conibears are rather silent and quick killers. Aside from the animal’s pain and suffering, even death, who pays for this? The petowner, the veterinarian, the animal rescuers, wildlife rehabbers, the tax payer, but not the trapper.

http://bit.ly/2eFksnc

Non-Targets Trapped Elsewhere

Pup found running loose with a hunting trap caught on her leg

by Kate Boyd

October 18,2016 – Pittsburgh, PA
There actually is no such thing as a “hunting” trap. One of the principles of ethical hunting is to know your target. Traps and snares are indiscriminate. Hunters have had their dogs trapped, some killed. Ethical hunters are known to set off traps, shoot trapped animals, and want nothing to do with this unnecessary cruel recreation whose purpose has nothing to do with securing food.

Western PA Humane Society
www.facebook.com/westernpahumanesociety/posts/10154393154500873