by Michael Weber
It comes as no surprise that there are
several animal welfare organizations out there that are strongly opposed to
trapping. These organizations argue that trapping is cruel and inhumane to wild
animals. Animal welfare organizations commonly will put pictures in the media
of suffering animals claiming that trapping has been a direct cause of this.
What these organizations don’t realize is that trapping is an essential tool in
furbearer management and that it can provide a recreational learning experience.
In Wisconsin, there are several animals
known as furbearers that can be trapped throughout the state. The species of
animal you can trap varies with management zones throughout the state. Common
animals that can be trapped in Wisconsin include mink, muskrat, beaver, otter,
weasel, coyotes, fox (red and grey), raccoon, bobcat, fisher, and wolves. There
are different regulations set in place to manage each of these different
species.
Trapping serves as a great tool in
managing furbearer populations. As most people know, there is only a limited
amount of food and habitat available for furbearers. During the winter months,
the amount of food and habitat is greatly reduced. If left unmanaged,
furbearers would have to compete heavily for these resources during the winter
months, resulting in the loss of many furbearers due to starvation and lack of
adequate habitat. Trappers are able to humanely harvest these animals in order
to prevent hardships that furbearers would face in the winter if left
unmanaged.
Besides facing competition for
resources, furbearers also face disease problems. If left unmanaged, the number
of furbearers would substantially increase. When this happens, too many
furbearers would be concentrated in certain areas resulting in disease. Common
diseases among furbearers would include mange, parvo, and leptospirosis.
Trapping furbearers prevents species from becoming too concentrated, resulting
in a reduction in the spread of diseases and an increase in health of the
overall furbearer population.
Trapping can also serve as a tool to
manage “nuisance species.” Many times, furbearers will create problems in
certain areas. Whether it be a beaver damming up a trout stream, coyotes
killing a farmer’s livestock, or raccoon causing corn damage, trapping is a way
to remove these problem animals from the area.
Trapping provides an excellent
recreational learning opportunity. In order to successfully trap a certain
species of furbearer a trapper needs to learn about the animal that he or she
is going to trap. This includes learning to identify animal sign. Animal sign
includes tracks, scat, and altered vegetation. By learning these things, a
trapper can learn what species of furbearer inhabit a certain area. Trappers
must also learn about trapping methods that can be used to harvest furbearers.
These methods include the type of trap used, type of set used (how the trap is
placed), and the different types of bait and lure used. By learning all of
these things, a trapper is not only effective but becomes extremely knowledgeable
about the species that he or she traps. Some of the most experienced trappers have
the greatest knowledge of furbearers from learning by trapping throughout the
years.
It is unfortunate that in today’s world
many people look at trapping as inhumane to furbearers. This could not be
further from the truth. Trappers harvest furbearers, but do so as quickly and
humanely as possible. Trappers are concerned with furbearer management in order
to provide future generations with the opportunity to enjoy these species as we
do now.
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