Trapping – The Outdoors Guy

August 19, 2013

Animal Rights Group sabotage trappers

Thanks to the fine organization US Sportsmen’s Alliance for this recent Press Release. Looks like radicals in the US have stepped things up in their quest to end conservation!

The extremist animal rights group known as Earth First! recently published a how-to manual for illegally sabotaging wolf hunts and traps . This was in response to a recently introduced federal bill to allow wolf hunting in most of the U.S.

The Earth First! Wolf Hunt Sabotage Manual gives detailed instructions on how to sabotage traps and free trapped wolves. The 12-page manual also refers to trappers as “slob hunters” and “amateurs, a##holes, and part-timers whose techniques are crude.”

The manual, written by a group referring to themselves as the Redneck Wolf Lovin’ Brigade, tells activists how to find addresses of trappers so as to follow them from their homes to their trap lines. The manual provides advice on how to secretly follow trappers and leave no trace of footprints nor fingerprints. It also instructs individuals to trip traps to render them ineffective. It also states that “any type of trap line interference is illegal, so you might as well do a thorough job and totally dispose of any traps you find, as this is no more illegal than simply tripping them and leaving them intact.”

The Redneck Wolf Brigade is correct when they state that any type of trap line interference is illegal, as is hunter harassment in all 50 states. Over 25 years ago, USSA wrote the hunter-harassment language that was used by the majority of states when they passed laws protecting hunters, anglers and trappers from being able to enjoy their sports.

Wolf hunting is currently legal in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. USSA has helped lead the fight to gain the delisting of the Western Great Lakes Wolf from protected status by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and has seen much opposition from animal rights groups such as Earth First!

Here is a glimpse of the drivle contained in this manual:

Hunt sabotage, also known as hunt sabs, has a long and glorious history in the United States and elsewhere. Hunt sabs are an effective tactic at stopping, inhibiting or drawing attention to the massacre of wildlife. Hunt sabs most often include direct intervention and are meant to disrupt a hunt. Actions can take the form of a blockade comprised of dozens of people at the office where wolf hunting permits are sold, or along roadways where hunters are engaging in hunts. But it also includes powerful propoganda, such as flyering communities before a hunt, or sharing this manual at your local NRA meeting and outside permit offices.

Outdoorsguy

January 11, 2012

Increased fur prices an encouraging sign

Although I have not actively trapped in many years, I was heavily involved in fur management back in the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s. My first trapping excursion with my Dad was back in 1971 and I was hooked for life! He taught me about trapping at a young age and never forgot it!

I have been to the North Bay sale; learned about grading and what to look for in fur quality and primeness.

I have even studied trapping and fur harvest from a management perspective; to gain a better understanding of how and why we trap fur-bearers in the first place.

For these reasons and more…I have continued to follow trapping and the fur industry over the years.

Our nation, as we all know(or at least we should) was founded upon the fur trade and has since struggled to deal with public perception worldwide. It has been an ongoing battle.

Encouraging news from the trapping circles seem to indicate that fur prices are up this year and will continue to remain high. Some fur like fox has increased upwards of 60%! The sale of fur coats in Russia has also soared and other parts of Asia and Europe as well.

Are the good guys finally winning over public opinion??

Have the Antis finally given up, or perhaps people are starting to discover the merits of wearing fur as the warmest natural apparel you can find.

There are several factors which could explain the increase in fur prices and they are all good for the industry. Fur interest in Europe and Asia is growing; following on the heals of a bitterly cold winter over there last year.

There is, however, no indication that demand for fur within North America has increased, but for now trappers will, at least, benefit from increased interest over-seas.

Let’s take the price increase as a positive sign for the industry as a whole – we all should realize that a huge part of our natural heritage would be lost should the fur industry eventually go by way of the dodo bird.

P.S. Thanks to Trapper for the heads-up on fur prices!

Outdoorsguy

Here is the news from the first sale of the season in North Bay:
Fur Harvesters Auctions first sale of the season was one of the best opening auctions in our company`s history.
Over 20 Chinese of which many were first time to North Bay took a very active position throughout the day. All International markets were represented with over 50 active buyers competing, resulting in all time record prices for articles such as Arctic Wolves, Arctic Fox and Polar Bears. Beaver which averaged $19.50 last January and averaged $31.50 at today`s auction an increase of 60%.

No one can recall such a tremendous increase over such a short period of time. This will come as great news to all beaver trappers and is long overdue. Long hair items like Red Fox witnessed huge price hikes as well with several lots selling over $100, finishing the day with eastern fox averaging $53.43 an increase over 90% compared to last January. Otter continues to advance with China and Greece competing aggressively. Otter advanced over 80% over last January`s level with a final overall average coming in at $82. Muskrats continue to sell strong with a clearance of 100%.
Our Arctic wolf collection sold at an all time record high with many countless skins selling between $800 to over $900 with a closing average of $403. Arctic fox topping at $200 and averaging $71.92 broke an all time historical record.

Everyone at Fur Harvesters Auction wish to thank the great many buyers that attended and made this sale one of the most successful January auctions in our company`s history. Members of our team are currently promoting wild fur at the Beijing fur fair and the following week will see us in Istanbul fur fair, Turkey.
Our March sale is well positioned as it follows the two most important Fur Fairs in the world…Hong Kong, and Milan. We are optimistic that our offerings will surpass last season high production levels.
In closing we wish to thank all of you who put your trust and confidence in marketing your great product through North Bay
Respectfully,
Mark Downey – CEO, Fur Harvesters Auction Inc.
1867 Bond Street
North Bay, ON P1B 8K6
Canada
Tel. (705) 495-4688
Fax. (705) 495-3099
www.furharvesters.com

Below is a pic of Mrs Trapper with a good sized coyote they caught last week..tks to Trapper for the photo:

A pic of the same coyote after boarding. (NOT Waterboarding though..that would be cruel)

January 13, 2011

Seal product trade deal with China

Thanks to Rob Cahill, Executive Director, Fur Institute of Canada for the following Press Release:

Members of the Fur Institute of Canada and its Seals and Sealing Network applauded the Government of Canada today for negotiating a trade agreement with China to open new markets for Canadian seal products. The new agreement, initialed by Federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea, allows Canadian trade to China in seal meat and oil products on the condition that the products meet China’s food quality standards for human consumption.

“We thank the Government of Canada for having the foresight to seek this agreement,” said Rob Cahill, Executive Director of the Fur Institute of Canada. “Negotiation of quality standards for the harvesting and handling of seals provides an excellent opportunity to prove the value of the seal trade as a sustainable and responsible way of living.”

The terms of the new agreement were reached between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and China’s Administration of Quality Supervision. It will allow the expansion of seal product exports to China beyond the fur markets to which Canadian industry already has access. The new agreement, which takes effect immediately, will provide new market opportunities beginning with the 2011 Canadian seal hunt.

Quick Facts on Seals and Sealing in Canada

• The Northwest Atlantic Harp Seal population is abundant and well conserved, numbering 9.5 million animals – the highest level ever scientifically estimated. Since the 1970’s, the population has multiplied by 4-5 times. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists harp seals as a species of “least concern”.

• Hunting methods required by licensed Canadian seal hunters are effective and conform to established practices of animal welfare. These methods were implemented in 2009 and are based on recommendations by the Independent Veterinarians’ Working Group (IVWG 2005).

• Seal meat and seal oil (rendered from fat), provide a sustainable source of protein and a superior source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids for human consumption. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency certifies production facilities, inspects products and issues export certificates.

• Seal hides, or “pelts” are handled locally in Canada, where they are tanned into high-quality materials for both domestic use and export.

January 4, 2011

Accidental catch sets off trapping debate

My condolences to the Cassell family of Smiths Falls on the loss of their beloved family pet this past weekend, to a conibear trap set on a neighbour’s property.

Stacey Cassell was walking his three dogs on December 31st when 11-year old Mishka took off for a jaunt and disappeared for a few minutes. When his dog didn’t return, Cassell went looking for it only to discover the animal caught with a conibear trap around its neck.

The Cassell’s are saddened by the death of their beloved pet and outraged that the neighbour never told them he had coyote traps on the property.

This is the second trapping incident in recent days, as conibear traps were also discovered set some distance off the path in an Aylmer Park area.

These incidents are unfortunate on several levels. Being a pet owner and animal lover myself, I too would be devastated to find my family poach in the jaws of a trap meant for fur-bearers.

These incidents, in my opinion, also demonstrate how desperate we have become to control predators in eastern Ontario and western Quebec.

Obviously these trappers had no intention of catching family pets, or had they purposely set traps in areas with the goal of harming children, as some have implied. But it did happen and they do hold some responsibly to be more careful.

There is a bigger picture to all this….

The fur industry has (sadly) been on shaky ground for years and bad press such as this is just one more nail in the coffin. The truth of the matter is, however, that now more than ever before, we need trappers and we need the fur industry to stay alive.

I know it will be a hard sell to those who have been have been adversely affected by the fur industry like the Cassell family, but the community needs to realize that we have a huge underlying problem here; one which needs to be addressed.

It may not be as evident to those folks who have never ‘strolled the back 40′ but we have a predator population which is simply out of control. I’ve even heard stories about local hunters who harvested a deer and before they get to it, the coyotes have completely ravished it!

And I have seen it myself first hand.

As many of you already know, this time last year I had between 10 – 15 whitetail deer visiting my backyard deer feeder on a daily basis. You may have seen the stories and photos posted here on the Outdoors Guy. These deer have been residents of a property where no hunting is allowed, and we have been watching them for years.

Yes, believe it or not, I am an avid hunter who takes pride in winter deer management and the welfare of nature’s most beautiful animal, and not because I hunt them. I love to photograph and observe these wonderful creatures. Most hunters I know are the same way.

Through my backyard deer feeding, I am also teaching my children to appreciate nature and expose them to aspects of life they may not necessarily get in school.

Ok, so ask me how many deer I have coming to my feeder now?

Not a Goddamn one, and would you like to know why??

Over the past couple of months, the only creatures to show up my ‘feeder cam’ have been the neighbour’s cat and these large dog-like beasts with grey coloured fur!

My daughter and I even took a little stroll in the back woods this weekend to see how severe the coyote problem really was, and it didn’t take long to figure things out.

The properly was littered with coyote tracks and trails, and I found hair-filled scat all over the place. My heart sank!!

In a small forest where I know for a fact that nearly 20 deer normally spend the winter, I found but one lonely set of deer tracks.

What does this have to do with family pets getting caught in traps you ask?

As concerned conservationists, we are looking for ways – any way at all – to control a burgeoning predator population. Residents need to realize that once our deer are all gone; these marauding brush wolves still need to eat. So what’s next?

Next it will be our family pets, or worse our children. I may sound paranoid to some but the statistics are there – coyotes have and will attack people and the problem will only get worse if we can’t get their numbers under control.

Since hunting coyotes is frowned upon in this city, as we have seen the response to the Osgoode coyote cull, I ask you how else besides trapping can we control the yote numbers in this region?

Contrary to popular belief, the eastern coyote does target big-game. In many cases, the whitetail deer will make up much of their diet.

Yes, family pets getting accidentally caught in traps meant for predators is a terrible and unfortunate thing, please don’t get me wrong, but unless we do something soon the future of all our pets may be in jeopardy!

And this weekend when my daughter commented during our nature walk about all the dog tracks she was seeing, I didn’t have the heart to tell her what was really going on.

Outdoorsguy