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Each year the ability to manage wildlife in the United States comes under attack in state legislatures. Trapping is one of the most unfairly maligned forms of wildlife management. It is the only practical method with which to manage a group of species referred to as furbearers. There are compelling political, historical, practical and scientific reasons why such efforts to ban trapping should be rejected out of hand. It should be pointed out that "the leghold trap" commonly referred to in such proposed legislation is really a foothold restraining device. Contrary to allegations, this type of device does not mangle appendages of animals taken. In fact, this type of trap is extensively used for the capture and relocation of many species throughout the US including the Mexican, Gray and Red Wolves, bobcat, lynx and the once threatened River Otter The Political Issue The political agenda of organizations that support these legislative efforts is to eliminate all consumptive use of renewable natural resources. Consequently, banning or restricting the use of foothold and other traps is just a first step towards achieving that objective. Legislators and the public should not be misled by the rhetoric and misinformation that is presented by these organizations. Scientific and Health Considerations The US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the US Department of Agriculture, cite control of furbearers as vital to protection of endangered species, for protection of crops and domestic livestock, and to reduce predation on certain other wildlife such as antelope. In addition, human health and safety are endangered when disease bearing wildlife are uncontrolled, and people are exposed to diseases such as rabies, plague, and encephalitis. The regulated and appropriate use of foothold traps is endorsed by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), the Wildlife Management Institute, and the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus. IAFWA has sponsored a systematic evaluation of traps and trapping systems which shall result in recommendations of the "Best Management Practices" (BMPs) for capturing the twenty-three furbearer species found in North America. In 1997, representatives of all state fish and wildlife agencies, Canada, the Russian Federation and the European Union established an agreement governing the development of "Humane Trapping Standards". Conclusion The National Trappers Association respectively submits that recent history
and experience demonstrate that regulated use of foothold traps is the most
efficient, effective, humane and desirable method of harvesting, containing,
capturing and reducing furbearer populations. The alternative methods are
either ineffective, practically prohibitive, non-selective or cause injury or
death to both wild and domestic animals.
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