HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-24 Public Comment - D. Foley - Do not _ban_ trapping in sourdoughFrom:Daniel Foley
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Do not "ban" trapping in sourdough
Date:Monday, September 9, 2024 11:16:30 AM
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First, is there currently an ongoing issue with people's pets/children being caught intraps/snares in this area? I have not heard of any, but if there are that could be a different
story.
It seems that special interest groups want the city to 'ban' trapping so they can tout it around asa win for their group when in reality if they city bans trapping it will only create a more
dangerous environment. Sourdough Canyon is not a city park - it is a wild place. These placesare full of dangerous elements from animals to landscapes to people.
The city does not own sourdough canyon. The USFS already has restrictions on the distance
traps must be set from the trail. The city wants to 'ban' trapping on the city owned property inthe canyon when in reality this will have almost no effect on where traps are set in relation to
the trail. It may inconvenience a few trappers but it will not stop traps in the canyon, it wouldonly very slightly move where some are set. If they were compliant with USFS/FWP before
on city owned property those traps would only be set in a slightly different area on USFSowned property.
This would set the precedent that someone recreating in a sourdough canyon would think there
are no traps or danger of a pet getting caught in a trap when that is not true. Aresponsible recreator would not allow their pet or child to be unsupervised 500ft off a trail (the
only place there would be danger of accidental trapping)
In summation this is a giant waste of time, the city is quite literally overstepping boundariesand trying to create some sense of safety in a wild place. I wish this would not be a concern
for the city as we all know there are way more pressing issues facing the city. I've quoted 'ban'in this email because it will not 'ban' trapping in sourdough canyon just in a few small specific
areas.
I honestly think there is a good chance that city banning trapping on city property wouldcause more trappers to legally set traps up sourdough as it will STILL be legal to trapgame in that area, on USFS land (which is the vast majority).
Below shows the red area - approx 500 feet from the trail where trapping is already banned,the yellow shows city owned property where the proposed banning would take place. Ask
yourself what would this even change??
- Dan Foley Belgrade Resident - not a trapper - dog owner