Trapping in North AmericaWHY DO WE TRAP? THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS ...

• To maintain healthy wildlife populations. Most species produce more young than their habitat can support to adulthood. This may produce “boom and bust” cycles as populations outgrow the carrying capacity of their habitat and then crash due to starvation and disease. Trapping promotes stable and healthy wildlife populations by maintaining a balance with habitat.

• To protect threatened or endangered species. Trapping can, for example, reduce predation by foxes, raccoons and coyotes, destruction of marshland habitat by nutria and muskrats, and flooding of forests and other habitat by beavers.

• To protect property, livestock and human health. Trapping prevents over-population that can spread rabies, mange, tularemia and other diseases that threaten wildlife, livestock, pets and humans. Beavers flood homes, crops and roads. Muskrat tunnels block culverts, weaken dikes and damage fields and roadways. Coyotes prey on calves and lambs.

• For research and relocation. Restraining traps allow biologists to radio-collar and release wildlife, unharmed, in order to study them. They are also used to relocate animals to areas where they have been extirpated. Biologists also rely on trappers for information and samples to study wildlife diseases and population dynamics.

• To provide food and income, and maintain cultures. Trapping feeds, clothes and otherwise sustains communities where employment opportunities are few. It also helps maintain traditional knowledge, personal autonomy and social cohesion in many aboriginal communities.

ANIMAL WELFARE: North American governments demand the most stringent humane standards of trappers, following the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (Canada) and an agreement on Best Management Practices (US). Only trained trappers receive licenses, and strict regulations cover which traps are used and how often they are checked.

CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABLE USE: We have changed nature in key ways, e.g. reducing wilderness and eliminating top predators. We can no longer let nature take care of itself, but must keep wildlife populations healthy by ensuring they are in balance with remaining habitat. Trapping helps achieve this.

True conservation means “wise use”, not “no use”. Sustainable use of wildlife recognises that most species produce more young than their habitat can support to maturity. Trappers use this natural surplus without depleting populations.

Government regulations ensure trapping is sustainable and set seasons for each species. Training courses for trappers include the study of conservation principles.

Endangered animals are protected by national and international laws. Trappers only take abundant species. In the US, five species account for 81% of furbearers trapped for their fur, while in Canada, five species account for 76%. (See charts)

MODERN TRAPS: Most modern traps are lethal “quick-killing” traps or foot-hold “restraining” traps. Steel jaw leg-hold traps were banned decades ago. Lethal traps are for smaller animals. Foot-hold traps are used for larger animals, holding them with minimal injury until the trapper can dispatch them, or to catch and release animals for research or for reintroduction to other areas.

Traps are designed only to catch targetted species. Trap size, trigger pressure, set location and timing are variables trappers study to ensure “non-target” species are not taken.

TRUTH ABOUT FUR brings together leading authorities in North America to provide accurate information about this remarkable heritage industry. For more information about t rapping , v i s i t www.TruthAboutFur.com/en/reasons-we-trap . Ju ly 2017.