If this passes, effective control of wolves & coyotes will be much more difficult.
http://www.sportsmensalliance.org/news/montana-voters-to-decide-on-trapping-ban/
Depressing to think about. Sadly those folks cannot be reasoned with or educated.
Any outdoorsman who votes in favor of such a ridiculous initiative is a fool.
When bowhunting gets on the ballot somewhere, you can bet some rifle hunters will vote to ban it. I've been in plenty of public meetings with the DOW where rifle hunters railed against bowhunting, blaming it for their own lack of success.
Lots of critters hit poorly with arrows and not recovered. Might as well throw archery gear on the ballot as well.
Guns too. Then farming, after all, those horrible people are only raising those critters so they can kill them later.
Fishing? Yanking those poor things out of their homes with barbaric hooks attached to fake food.
Might as well ban that too.
Purdue, if you haven't figured it out yet, I think you're an idiot.
And we wonder why hunters vote to ban trapping, bear hunting, lion hunting. Ignorance.
"And when they came for me...."
Educate yourself. Modern day footholds with offset jaws and laminated jaws have made footholds extreamly humane.
What a totally ignorant, moronic statement.
Whoa.... do you live in the city limits and buy your meat in a styofoam tray wrapped with cellophane too?
I!!!!!!!
That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. My dad used to stick his fingers in his 6 inch traps, to educate people that they weren't harmful. They were designed to hold, not lame. After they'd watch him do it, they understood and believed the concept that had the traps broken bones, the animal would just twist it off and get free. Instead of hold it until he dispatched it. It is because of the misinformed AMONG us hunters, that the anti's win these topics.
And wish power snares were legal in Michigan..........Those things are bad ass........
Foot holds inhumane...haaaaaaaaaaa Bull Spit............ You ever see a chicken go from a live bird to ready for market ??
Strikes me as funny asking Purdue about chickens! I know it's spelled different but still it's funny. Obviously, he has no real world experience with foothold traps. It shows just how powerful the false propaganda is coming from the other side of the issue.
Trapping is indiscriminate. They can catch dogs, birds of prey, and untargeted animals.
Traps are not fair chase.
Traps are painful and tramatic.
Put your dog in one and leave it out overnight. Or would that be cruel?
No thanks.
Shoot your dog with an arrow, make a bad shot, leave it out overnight. Or maybe your son or daughter. Is that cruel? Ever happen to you with a deer? Remember Ingrid Newkirk's famous line, "A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy". Sad to see someone who appears to be intelligent so affected by the emotional arguments made by PETA and HSUS.
This is the problem with these types of initiatives. When they go for bowhunting, they won't just outlaw trad bows. They'll go after yours as well.
I've even released some little house cats from traps as big as #3 footholds with no damage to their little legs or paws at all.
The dogs at least were grateful to be released. . . Cats are hateful little things. . .
Also, if you are with your dog, he isn't spending the night. Just long enough for you to let him go.
Where did you get that photo Purdue? I think its fake.
Also, in a lifetime of trapping, never caught a bird of prey.
The next time someone has a pet crawl home with an arrow or bullet in it, I think you should turn all your weapons in. After all, someone somewhere did something stupid with one. That means no one should be allowed to have one.
Typing this was a waste of time. See second paragraph of my first post in this thread.
midwest's Link
I my book there is big difference between accidentally injuring an animal and doing it intentionally for fun and profit. I guess people can justify or rationalize anything.
You're a troll.
Like all activities, there are few fools who have no business trapping and do some pretty stupid things. The same exists in the hunting community. Imagine if we as hunters applied this same logic to low-life poachers and considered them hunters?
Not that any of that will change minds of folks like Purdue. The real target for our efforts are those who have not made up their minds, or those non-hunter/angler/trappers inclined to support conservation activities who are being targeted by these groups as impressionable voters.
The lesson from Purdue's comment is how quick some are to make claims against activities of which they have no understanding and no personal experience. Even those who claim to come from hunting backgrounds. As the use of ballot boxes increases as the mechanism by which wildlife management is implemented, the dangers to all we hold dear are obvious. Folks in CA, CO, AZ, etc can speak to that with painful first hand experience.
I wish Purdue was the only guy in the hunting ranks who has made such a statement about trapping. He is not. In my home state of Montana, I have had more adverse discussions about this topic with other hunters than I care to recall. Yup, other hunters, and none of whom have/had any personal experience with trapping. And certain groups of fishermen seem to hold Purdue's opinion to a level that I would guess is approaching a majority among them.
Point being, those of us who support hunting, fishing, and trapping, have a big job ahead in educating our own ranks as to the relevance of our activities. The ballot box approach will continue to be the tool that is used.
I am taking heed to what happened in Colorado. Anyone who thinks this can't pass in Montana has not been out talking to people on the topic. Some hunters and anglers have expressed opinions similar to that expressed by Purdue, and that is worrisome; not just for trapping, but the future of all wildlife conservation.
The pups are starting to get big enough to do some real damage. I hear them every night outside my window. Would love to trap them like my brother and I did when we were growing up.
So I will be hunting them with my suppressed AR this weekend. I did get permission from game and fish so I have a go to night hunt if they are off my land.
Lou, you knocked this one out of the park. Our state recently sent out a survey to deer hunters a year or two ago asking for opinions and comments on changing the licensing, draws, and deer season structures here in SD. I've never been so saddened and infuriated in my entire life as I was when I read the comments at the end. Ignorance of bowhunting is staggeringly common in some circles.
The web page is down right now or I would link it for you guys. Maybe I'll come back later and do it so you can see what we're up against with out gun toting "brothers".
After reading the (first) ignorant comment from Purdue, I was getting ready to ... uh lets say correct him. Obviously many folk already did.
Tomorrow I am teaching the second half of a Hunter Safety class and Trapping in a short segment (0 test questions on it). I will spend a few more minutes on it now just to make sure that NO ONE WALKS AWAY WITH THE SAME OPINION AS PURDUE! I usually stick my fingers in a 1.5 or 2 leg-hold just to show the students that they are a leg HOLD trap and do no damage. The old "chew there leg off" is about as accurate as Purdue's picture he posted. Interesting how even when he is shown that it came from an ARA website, he doubles down and doesn't admit he's wrong.
You can't fix stupid I guess, but I can sure as hell make sure that others get the facts from someone who KNOWS them.
Purdue, step up, admit you made a mistake, and educate yourself. That's what a squared away guy would do.
I would ask Purdue one question. How do you suppose Montana will manage our predators if trapping is banned on public lands? Wolves, and coyotes will be free for the most part, to expand and kill more game animals, livestock and whatever. Trapping only keeps their numbers at bay.
Also, Purdue, how do you think the wolves were caught that were used in the transplant recovery areas? They used leg hold traps. There's Government trappers out right now in Montana, Idaho, and other parts of the west trapping wolves to put radio collars on. You guessed it, foothold traps are used for that too.
This would be my last wolf if it goes through.
Most people today are so far removed from the natural earth and just don't understand trapping/hunting. I would like to ask these people what they believe the outcome will be if public land trapping is banned.
I would also like to ask them if they believe their cities have had a positive impact on these wild animals they care so much about.
What would they say if we asked them how many fawns went through the swather while cutting their organic feed for their organic cattle?
What would they say if we asked how much wildlife lost habitat to provide for their vegan diets?
People just don't think with any intelligence, it's all emotion. The Sometimes I think the collapse of modern society can't come soon enough?
Even worse. Wild geese struggling to survive the harsh winter thats approaching migrate south in a desperate search for food and safety. The unpredictable climate, made worse by man-made climate change, means they endure sub-zero temperatures, disappearing wetlands and droughts as they fly south. "Hunters" set up hundreds of lifelike decoy geese in the few prime feeding areas and imitate the sounds of content geese while they sit in underground ambush spots completely concealed from the unsuspecting geese. At the last moment when the exhausted geese set their wings to land in what they believe to be a safe haven, the "hunters" burst from their hide killing and wounding the terrified geese.
If anyone thinks their preferred type of hunting or trapping is safe because its more ethical or more accepted at the moment, think again. Every type of hunting is on the list. When one type of hunting or trapping is lost, your preferred method moves one notch closer to the top of the list.
I am simply amazed that anyone that hunts would make the comments this Purdue does, and get's his information from HSUS or PETA sites....
I just got on here to state my opinion. I have a right to that, don't I? The venimous attacks and name calling are a hoot. Not one logical counter, just name calling and assumptions about my experience or questioning where I got that picture (like knowiing that would make the picture less offensive). I hope none of you are lawyers or heading up the team to counter the PETA crowd. Your comments are embarrassingly weak at best and inflammatory too.
Don't you see, it doesnt make any difference if you can stick your fingers in a trap and not be hurt. The fact is, there are hundreds of pictures out there that show damage to the animal's leg. If the animal didn't move perhaps minimal damage would be done, but that is not the case is it. You all know good and well what happens.
It is comments like most of those above that sway the general public's opinion to that of animal rights. As I read them I get a mental picture of the poster and so will the public. For most it is not a complementary vision. And do you really think your "arguments" are going to counter the pictures, evidence and logical that the trap haters are going to bring to the table. You better get you s..t together if you're going to have a prayer of winning any debate.
In fact, your comments have just about moved me from being a "it's not for me, but let others do what they want" kind of guy, to reaching into my pocket for a PETA donation on this matter. I wonder if that is how PETA got started? Someone with an honest opinion got trashed and belittled for it, but it awoke the sleeping giant in them and that became PETA. I see how it could happen.
I have trapped many thousands of muskrats and hundreds and hundreds of beaver, fox, mink and coyotes. It does not always go as planned and although rare, I have had the unintended consequences and catches.
There will always be a concern from those who share the woods with trappers, especially those using dogs for bird hunting, or hounds for other animals. Occasionally it is just the recreationist out for a walk with their pets. As trappers, we have to be sympathetic to the thought of multiple use on public land. Set traps with others in mind, learn their habits and avoid the situation.
I think it best that trappers continue to improve, be out of sight and out of mind. We do however have to be honest as to what can and has happened.
I will continue to trap and support trapping despite what the rare possibilities are. I do all I can to minimize the unintended, and do the best I can to avoid the situation.
Please pass that on to every non Montanan you know.
PETA probably started out as an organization that meant to do good, a lot of domestic animals are treated very poorly and its a shame but hunting and trapping is not unethical treatment of animals, it's humanity at its finest, it's humanity at the top of the food chain, it's thousands of years of evolution, it's sustenance, it's pure.
Some people are so blinded by society, they never take the time to stop and look around, remove their heads from their asses and smell the fresh air. They have not one intelligent thought of their own and if they had they would realize that it is their own way of life that has wastefuly destroyed animals and their habitat and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
Purdue, my guess is that you went trapping by yourself as a kid. Had very little adult supervision and you guidance. Being taught properly would have went a long way in your experiences being different.
I will also say that all our activities aren't pristine and proper. Killing game animals by bow or by rifle is sometimes a very messy business. Things go just as wrong with bullet and broadhead as do those that use the trap. Look in the mirror before you condemn someones activities.
I trap and am bringing up my boys to be outdoorsmen (which includes trapping). On occasion we do catch "non targeted" animals. We do what we can to release them, but the truth of the matter is that some cats won't allow that to happen. Are there some "domestic" animals that are killed by trappers every year? That answer is logically "YES". There are drawbacks and unintentional killings each year. What is the alternative? Allow the predators to overpopulate? And then get "permission" to kill a predator that's eating your chickens and pets? Really?
What about bowhunting? There are pictures of wounded deer that are not hard to find. And pictures of deer that had their lower jaws blown off by a bad rifle shot - and the deer dies of starvation. Do we ban all hunting because of that? I'm not running from or denying the truth - bad shots do happen and unintended "non targeted" animals are also killed. So because of that do you (Purdue) want to outlaw trapping and hunting? That just doesn't seem logical. If outlawing these methods are preferred, how are you going to control the population? Then rather than the occasional deer starving, many starve. If you really respect the animal - surely that is not what you want to see happen. The correct answer cannot be stop trapping and hunting. Don't know if you are looking for intelligent back and forth or if you're just being inflammatory? I've done my part to be civil and logical in a response.
--Mitch
Like I said before, I have only caught one dog in a foothold trap and he was fine. Wagged his tail and walked away. I have caught plenty of other canines, coyotes and fox, and have never seen one that looked anything like that picture you posted.
If a person looks for something negative associated with trapping, he or she will eventually find something. That is true with all forms of hunting and fishing. And every aspect of life. It is an imperfect world. A yes vote on a ballot initiative against trapping is blow to all sportsmen. More than one person has tried to make logical arguments to get you to see that point, but you refuse to... Forests and trees.
Your original post that trapping was the equivalent of deliberately injuring an animal was irresponsible and inaccurate. It was an ignorant thing to say, and that is why you got the response you did.
And for what it's worth, I don't trap nor have ever trapped.
Kill a bear and EAT it.........
Kill every coyote you can to help the deer herds........
And vote to allow hunters to kill wolves to do the same.........
I have trouble killing bears too....... I'm not lucky enough to kill one every year.
Back to eating my bear burger..... Carry on. I view Trapping as an AMERICAN HERITAGE......
I'm not sure how shooting several species or predators changes anything. Honestly this is the dumbest thing I've heard in a long time, and given my line of work thats saying something!
The only remorse I have while hunting is after the tag is filled and realizing the hunt is over until the next tag/season opens. When I kill an animal, the only thing I personally feel is thankful to have everything come together.
Trapping is one of the only ways to effectively manage predators, without it managing yotes,wolves, beavers and so on is next to impossible . Well unless more tax dollars get used to do the job most of use gladly pay to do.
To me shooting some coyotes, bears, mt lions when in season with a tag (I had to clarify the tags thing for the new lefties on here, welcome) This is not even in the same ball park as Nazi's or mowing down a troop of Gorillas???
FYI i had to watch a few Hillary campaign adds to help me better understand where some of these comments were coming from.......
We have employed leghold traps, conibear traps, snares and live traps (coon sized through hog sized) to eliminate the threat to our livestock- either ourselves or with the assistance of the local government trapper (I'll talk a little more about him later). Every year we eliminate somewhere between 70 and 80 coyotes from our property and it does not seem to make a dent in the population. That's not to mention the dozens of coons, possums and skunks I trap from around the chicken coop. Yes, we've trapped a couple of stray dogs and each time they've been alive and healthy to be released from the traps (including one little terrier with painted toenails...I'm sure some little girl was missing that one).
What is much more humane however (by your definition), are the cyanide bombs the government trapper uses. If you're not familiar with them, it's a little canister that's baited with meat. When an animal....any animal...pulls the trigger it discharges a dose of cyanide gas right into their mouth. The cyanide acts so quickly that the animal rarely makes it 50 yards and "enjoys" an almost instant death. The problem with these is that they're indiscriminate. We had a flood last spring which left a small opening in my goat pasture water gap and both of my livestock guardian dogs got out the day of the flood. I didn't know there were cyanide bombs being used on a neighbors ranch a half mile away, and quite honestly it wouldn't have made a difference even if I did know it. Neither of my dogs (which were of no threat to wildlife or livestock) lived to guard my goats again. These are two dogs that I've had on land that we've been trapping on for 13 years. I certainly don't blame the government trapper as it wasn't his fault my dogs got out, but the results were the same.
The point I'm making here is that we need to employ whatever legal methods there are to eliminate as many predators as possible just to maintain the populations at reasonable levels. Since most predators are not hunted for food and their furs have been devalued by the animal rights movements, there simply aren't enough people killing them to keep the population in check. To the casual outdoorsman this isn't obvious, but to someone who raises livestock it's one of the biggest challenges we face. It's quite a financial blow when we lose an $800 calf or a dozen kids in one night!
In closing I'd like to add one thing, and this is the main reason I'm taking the time to write. I fully expect to see pictures like the one you posted above on animal rights and anti-hunting/ trapping sites....but it upsets me to see that on any hunting friendly site. As in any fight, the most dangerous enemy is the one that resides in your own camp, and therein lies the reason so many folks have responded to your comments the way they have. We are losing our privileges one by one as the enemy works to divide us...and sadly they're gaining more ground with every passing election. When you consider the fact that only approximately ten percent of the population are hunters, we need every single vote of support we can get! I know I'm not going to change your mind on this issue, but if you truly are a supporter of those of us whom like (or need) to hunt and trap, the very least you can do is to stop condemning legal methods.
Respectfully, Cheryl Napper
I sure hope you're right. Montana would be a HUGE victory for them on a national level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpAvycIQwnY
PECO's Link
These type of laws are of interest to all Montana property owners and nonresident hunters/trappers, even though only residents can vote. Outcomes effect all of us and we can help by being advocates.
An opinion is fine. Not liking it is fine. An ignorant statement and insulting everyone who doesn't feel the same way by saying, "No different than intentionally wounding an animal." is where the rub is.
I was at a political caucus recently and someone (not the liberal crowd) came up with a resolution to stop our state DNR from spending funds on teaching women to bowhunt. No really!! This woman brought it up straight faced. Believed that if you wanted to hunt you had to do it with a gun. Just as bad as some anti in my opinion.
I'd never have guessed there'd be supporters of AR extremism posting here. If nothing else though, the one anti posting on this thread has shown us the kind of propaganda and lies being used to "educate" the public about trapping. Hopefully BigDan is right and common sense will prevail over the trickery, lies, and phony agendas of the AR scammers. But I wouldn't assume anything, nor take this threat lightly, considering that they've already succeeded with trapping bans in 5 other states, including Colorado and Arizona.
I can just about guarantee that every single defender at the Alamo was firing his gun, but outnumbered is outnumbered, I know that 'we' will go down fighting and be found laying on a pile of brass, but go down we will pard,
there is no greater defender of hunting trapping and fishing heritage than Wyoming but we lost a whole section of national forest here closed to trapping because people in Jackson like to walk there with their dogs.
And sure we can snort and say, well, typical Jackson, that's just Far Eastern California now, but the truth is they are here and they are city bred and raised and they simply outnumber us.
They want to believe that all animals are Disney creations and live happy lives with flowers and rainbows and they never die except at the hands of cruel terrible people like you and me.
Sure its unreal and flat out crazy, but that's what they believe, you can't beat Crazy.
We cannot be complacent, no matter the topic. We have to win every day to keep what is right and retain what we enjoy . The anti's only have to win once.
If you think any different, put a bear baiting or trapping referendum on the ballot in Colorado and see where it goes. No going back.
Bigdan, I respect a lot of the things you say because you are a very accomplished bowhunter, but you could not be more wrong with this statement. It matters to everyone who hunts, fishes, traps, or even simply enjoys public lands. It matters because every time outdoorsmen lose on a vote like this, it's just one more piece of our freedom eroding. Soon enough hunting in general will be on the ballot, very likely in my lifetime I think. I'm not a trapper, I don't have time, but I'd sure hate to see my fellow sportsmen in Montana lose a piece of their heritage, income, hobby, etc. It's already happened here in Colorado and I'm sure a decade before it did, people were thinking "that'll never happen here..."
Maybe the residents of these states can collect enough signatures and get a vote on things like term limits for politicians. Imagine what would happen if we set speed limits and taxes by popular vote.
Coyote trappers are welcome on most private land.And to address an earlier statement,intelligent canines can't be taken in body gripper or cage traps.The only practical ways are foot holding traps and snares and we can't use snares for wolves.
We already got the right to trap in our constitution but this bill seeks to do an end-around by cutting off all public land trapping which is a big percentage of this country.And note,that it would prevent even State and Federal employees from using them in cases of predation,radio collaring etc. unless they exhausted all other methods first,which often is futile.
Wolves are still radio collared and monitored and this work is done with foot hold traps and probably more on public land than private.
The people running these anti-trapping campaigns,oppose all trapping,hunting,grazing etc.The next,most vulnerable group is bowhunters.After that will be rifle hunting,and the rest.United we stand.
These groups aren't afraid to fabricate stories or photos in order to generate revenues through emotion.Every cause is a boost in their generation of revenues.They are fund raising organizations FIRST.
Montana is a great place.I'm proud to be a trapper,bowhunter and rifle hunter here.People are moving here and trying to curtail Montana's way of life and livelihoods to make more like the places they left.They are against us all.
shb's Link
Old School donations like checks or money orders, you can send them to Jim Buel.
Jim Buell, P.O. Box 133, Gildford, MT 59525 406-376-3178 [email protected]
Their Go Fund Me Page, which can be shared on Facebook, etc.
https://www.gofundme.com/2gx66sak
The Donation Page from the MTA website where you can use paypal.
http://www.montanatrappers.org/donations.htm
I whole-heartedly agree that this needs to get nipped in the bud before it starts a landslide, and further emboldens the AR extremists.
"I never did like leg-hold traps. No different than intentionally wounding an animal. Traps that kill quickly, no problem."
Where Purdue went wrong was that second "sentence". Equating the use of leg-hold traps, especially those commonly used today, with the intentional wounding of a game animal by a weapon or other means is certainly an ignorant expression.
Now, I would agree that some posters above that were jumping on the crucify bandwagon probably went too far. However, then Purdue decided to dig his heels in and keep shoveling. He could have simply admitted a bit of ignorance and moved on, but he did not. His attempt at trying to turn the tables by indicating Bowsite made him turn to PETA is pathetic. Thus, I can't really feel too bad for him.
Heck yes he needs corrected for being so naive. It's one thing to be wrong and admit it. It's another to be wrong, untruthful, and to dang proud to admit your faults. Which is why he has gotten what he has gotten. It isn't ok to accept these opinions. Especially when you are in the living room of a hunting forum expressing your incorrect opinion about a outdoor topic
We fight these kind of things daily. If we continue to accept others misplaced, untruthful, misinformed views, we are going to loose this fight. I don't want to loose. I also don't want ignorant people educating the unknowing masses either. While they may never admit pubically they were wrong, putting them outside their comfort zone might switch the light bulb on for them when they are pondering the topic. I'm simply done with the idea opinions are useful. Unless they are on the factual, moral, correct side of things. God Bless men
Your problem is not what I think, but rather that most of the general public sees it the same way. Claims like, "how else can we control the predators", does not hold any water for the general public. They are thinking, "Use guard dogs, use live traps, what about the small cute animals you catch. Do something else, do anything that's humane and besides......that's your problem, I've got my own problems".
That was a pretty good video above. However, I noticed a few shortcomings and PETA will notice them too. The one racoon that was released was limping. It also didn't show the reaction of the animal just as it was caught. It mostly just showed foxes being released. Me thinks the deck was staked. I wonder what footage didn't make it to YouTube.
Take a game camera video of several different animals being trapped and held in winter until it freezes to death or is killed, then show them to the local womens league. When they can tolerate your trapping method then you might have a prayer of keeping your trapping season with its current laws.
I'm all for trapping if can be done in a humane manner. I would think that most others would too. So before trapping is totally banned maybe you should try to get out in front of the problem and make those padded jaw traps mandatory and / or traps must be checked every (blank) hours or kill traps only or whatever it takes to soothe the publics perception.
And the same is true with bow hunting. The bow hunters should start demanding things like hunter education courses that includes demonstrated shooting ability and bow tuning.
We better start working on the public's perception of trapping AND bowhunting. It currently isn't very good, especially with women and they vote too. It's going to take money, organization, and probably changes to the way things have always been. Changes that makes the sport more humane will keep the sports around.
Shoots-Straight's Link
https://youtu.be/Rsj-2o0ux14
It may not work that way for you or Purdue. But, it does for me or anyone else that wants to be on the right side of a topic.
Also, this is bowsite. We are among or own here. I'm certain the exchanges here are far different than what they would be had this been an open discussion in mixed company. I most definitely give my fellow hunters credit for recognizing the difference.
God Bless men.
I have and do all of the above all my life. I live by the teaching God placed animals on the earth to used by man wisely. Losing God in our society aids in the demise of all of the above. Not preaching. Also the loss of farms, logging, and hard working hands on families are part of this. I have spoke with kids who believe Chocolate milk comes from brown cows and adults that believe hamburger comes from the store, not cows. I am glad I am as old as I am, I feel for my grandchildren. I respect and am thankful for every animal that was given to me to used wisely.
But it is not mandatory in all states. No knowledge testing, no skill testing, just attendance, at least that was the way it was when I took it.
Standards need to be raised to minimize the wounding of the animals. And the public needs to be constantly informed about the HUNTR'S efforts to raise the standards. That it's not something being jammed down their throats by some animal protection group. The sportsmen need to be the ones thought of as caring.
Just keep thinking the way you have and watch your sport disappear.
Montana trappers.....how has what you've been doing working for ya?
Shoots-Straight, catch up, that was posted 2 days ago.
It's nucklehead comments like yours are what gives hunters a not-so-smart reputation.
The media and slug politicians use it all the time.
Perception is Reality. If you are not actively creating a perception that you want to be reality, others will be doing it against you.
Is this a monumental task? Yes. PETA and other organizations get donations. These people siphon off enough of it to pay themselves and the rest is used to create a perception. That is what they do!!!!
Beating up on Purdue does nothing. Your adversary is out there.
Actually quit well. The last time the activists tried this, there wasn't even enough signatures. This time they had to hire people from other states to get the signatures.
I don't want to just beat them, I want to pulverize them into the ground from which they came.
Trappers in Montana, have asked repeatedly for a Trappers educational course to be given before a license can be bought.
There's a mandatory class to trap wolves now. There's plenty of educational information going around, even youth camps on the outdoors and trapping every year. Hundreds if not thousands of kids are being taught right. By and large trappers have come a long ways to protect pets, incidental catch, and public perception of how and what we trap.
If not for trapping how do we control wolves? I've not seen you respond to that question. Is some collateral damage to pets and other animals worth the good that catching around 70 wolves a year in Montana? That equates to about 1440 elk saved. Of course that shakes out to deer and other wildlife too.
