It seems that my post has sparked some mixed feelings. I can assure you that I had/have no intentions of getting into a debate over the merits of trapping and hunting. Although I would like to answer some of your questions and concerns.
Buckshot is absolutely correct when he says that we have a different outlook on these sorts of issues. I believe there are several reasons why. First of all, it is a very rich and revered part of our heritage. The majority of our county was discovered and mapped by European trappers from multiple countries. England, France, the Dutch, and the young Americans were all racing for better trapping grounds and bigger beaver.
Secondly, the country is so large that natural resources abound everywhere. For example, the county I live in in Utah is the 5th largest in the nation and larger than the state of Deleware. It is also in the top 5 least populated. My town has a population of 1200, is less than 1 mile across, and an hour from any other town. When I worked for the Forest Service as a firefighter, our response area was 10 million acres. It took us 5 hours to drive from one side to the other on the pavement. It took nearly an hour and a half to fly in a helicopter. There are few roads and access is limited to mostly foot traffic due to the scope and terrain. This lends itself to a large majority of the land not being molested by humans. Therefore, alot of critters can go about the day without fear of death.
Wildlife management is also a critical factor when determining how/what/when/where/and why we can hunt and trap. Our county has a lot of cattle ranching operations. Ranchers typically have several hundred beef cows roaming the country in search of grass. Due to our arid climate, it takes on average 40 acres of ground to raise 1 cow per year. Compare that to the Southeastern US where it takes 1 acre per cow per year. These cows are under constant harassment by mountain lion, coyote, bobcat, and black bear. These predators are in significant enough numbers to hurt these ranching operations. There is also the financial/social ramifications of a predator attack. The average cow brings anywhere from $650-$1200 and yields 500-800lbs of beef for the American public. A mountiain lion can eat dozens of cows in a years time. These predators also wreak havoc on the deer and elk herds that are managed for hunting.
andyn asked if any of the money goes into conservation. A Utah Furbearers license is $29 and bobcat tags are $5 each with a limit of 6. Every cent goes directly into the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources to be used in conservation projects. In fact, the only funding the Department receives is from the license fees and citiations. They receive no other funding. Also, if the fur is sold at a fur auction sponsered by the Utah Trapper's Association, 10% of the final sale is deducted by the Association. 6% is paid by the buyer and 4% is paid by the seller. This money is put into various conservation programs and 2% is placed in a scholarship fund to send trapper's kids to college. It should be noted here that the Association is a voluntary membership organization/club and has no government affiliation.
Lastly, there is no bloodlust here on my part. Trapping is part of my families annual income. It is also difficult to do. It is more than simply placing a trap on the ground and bringing home fur every check. I have been at bobcat trapping since Nov.15 of this year and have yet to catch a cat. State law requires you check your traps every 48 hours. My traps are spread over 64 miles of gravel road, require 5-6 miles of steep hiking, and take 4-5 hours to check. It is a very lengthy, in-depth, process that requires dedication, love for your quarry, and a desire to work/live outdoors constantly-not just when the weather is good. It has been below zero degrees F the last week here with a stiff wind, but I still trudge around working my line. I enjoy it. I am able to see God's glory in all of it's wonder. If He sees fit to put an animal in my trap, then even better. I respect the animal and dispatch it in the most humane way possible.
If trapping is really a painful topic for you, I apologize. I don't apologize for doing it though. I also respect your views and rights-that is what freedom is all about. I would like to add that trapping will never end until the high-fashion industry ceases to use it. So please don't look down on the trapper who slogs his way through the woods all winter-he's just feeding his family. I hope I have answered your questions and addressed your concerns. Please don't hesitate to ask more and I will answer them truthfully. However, I won't engage in a catfight here on the internet. Take care and God Bless! Jerry
I'm not normally against hunting if its for a good reason; food and clothing, needed culling, pest control or whatever...but theres just something in the way i've read what you've written that just gets to me....especially:
The next time you do this photo one of the paws close up so I can get a good look at the paw track.
