Trapline Journal Weblog

A good way introduce trapping to the general public is to run trapping booths or exhibits at community gatherings such as county fairs, local sportsmen’s group events, old timer days, Boy Scout meetings and Girl Scout meetings. On a national level, the US Sportsmens Alliance holds Trailblazer events in nearly every state and are always looking for volunteers.

An interesting display can be made of a few tanned furs of furbearers local to your area, some cleaned and whitened skulls, old and new traps and some literature handouts. Giveaways are always popular, and besides literature handouts, state game and fish commissions can usually supply pencils, stickers or other small items as free hand outs.

A trap throw gives the kids and teens something exciting to do. A few 2×4’s, a heavy tarp for a back stop, several set traps hanging from wire or bungee cord and a few baseballs is all the materials needed. The kids throw the balls at the set traps and when the pan is hit, the trap jaws close and hold the ball. Prizes such as teeth from coyotes and bobcats, feathers or inexpensive toys can be given. This can also be used as a fund raiser where you charge a few dollars for throws. Of course the prizes must be a little more substantial if charging people to participate.

Given the chance, most people enjoy looking at and touching furs and talking about their own fur trapping experiences or encounters with predators and furbearers. It’s quick and easy to destroy fur trapping myths about sharp toothed and sharp jawed traps, broken legs, animal injury and human injury. Doing a demo set and sticking your gloved hand in a trap immediately shows people that traps aren’t the destructive devices that some people portray them as. Most people will carry this to the next step with “Well if I was lied to about traps, what other lies about animal use have I been told?”.

You don’t have to give away all of your secrets or draw a maps to your honey holes, but giving the general public basic, hands-on information about fur trapping can go along way with clearing up misinformation and myths. These people will likely never set a trap but most vote or will someday.

JC Penneys and Neiman-Marcus, among others are being criticized for using dog fur in some of their clothing items. It is extremely unlikely they are knowingly using domestic dog fur, which would be a federal crime.

The fur in question is from a furbearer named raccoon dog, which is no more a pet than a common raccoon. Using this animals last name is just another example of groups using mis-information and emotion to force their way of life on others.

The raccoon dog is a wild canine (similar to fox, coyote) with a healthy population in eastern Asia and parts of Europe.

Support retailers who use real fur in their clothing lines by buying their  products and writing letters, emails, etc of encouragement when they are faced with these intimidation tactics.

Hunter, trapper, gun-nut and rock-n-roller Ted Nugent has put in a good word for us trappers lately. Had a good segment about snaring on his “Spirit of the Wild” TV show (Outdoor Channel, Tues, 8pm EST) and recently wrote an article in a Waco, TX newspaper.

What do you say to a trapper? Say ‘Thank You’
Waco Tribune Herald - Waco,TX,USA
In our world of city-fied disconnect and intellectually bankrupt denial, we have seen what happens with trapping bans — bureaucrats scrambling insanely for …

Ted is a life member of the following organizations: The National Rifle Association (NRA), Michigan Bow Hunters, Citizen’s Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, Second Amendment Foundation, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners of California, Director Law Enforcement Alliance of America, New York City Benevolent Policeman’s Association, National Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Michigan Big Game Hunters Association, Handgun Hunters International, Michigan Sheriff’s Association, National Trappers Association, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Wisconsin Bowhunters Association, Mississippi Bowhunters, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Spokesman, Outdoor Writers Association of America, Coalition of Michigan Hunters, National Field Archers Association (NFAA), Director Canadian Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA), Putting People First, South Dakota Archery Association, Maryland Bowhunters Society, Arizona Bowhunter Society, United Bowhunters of Connecticut, Massachusetts Bowhunting Association, United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania, Ohio Society of Traditional Archers (OSTA), South Carolina Bowhunters, Director: Michigan Bowhunting Conference and Vice President:American Shooting Sports Council.

His very impressive biography and more can be found on his website www.tednugent.com

There appears to be a growing coyote problem in several southern states.

Coyotes Infest Red Bank Neighborhoods
WDEF News 12 - Chattanooga,TN,USA

Some Red Bank residents have started trapping coyotes in hopes to reduce infestations in their neighborhoods. Doctor John Farr wants to get rid of a pack of …

Coyote population growing in North Carolina
Durham Herald Sun, NC - RALEIGH, NC

Coyotes are showing up all over North Carolina, and some farmers are arming themselves to keep them from attacking their livestock. …

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Many folks do not realize that their pets are disappearing in the jaws of a coyote. Those who understand they have a coyote problem may not know that they can be safely trapped or who they can call. City police and dog catchers are not prepared to deal with the problem.

With prime southern coyote fur going for a $20 bill, that isn’t near enough pay for the effort and risk of trapping these problem coyotes near neighborhoods. Nuisance wildlife control operators can do the job but who’s going to pay the bill? One homeowner shouldn’t have to pay for something that benefits an entire neighborhood.

City officials and neighborhood associations need to face this problem soon. To the states that have banned trapping with footholds: What are you gonna do?

So, coyote trappers, do your part and whack those coyotes out in the wilderness areas and farms. Make some room so that a city coyote can move to the country!