HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-24 Public Comment - F. Harmon - Please Stop Trapping in Sourdough CanyonFrom:Fern Harmon
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Please Stop Trapping in Sourdough Canyon
Date:Monday, September 9, 2024 7:55:21 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless
you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
It just makes sense to limit trapping to specific very low traffic areas, preferably on Private Land where the
Landowner has specific species that can be safely and humanely trapped. Federal, State and other Public Land use
areas are not suitable for trapping. Population density in western Montana is at an all time high and we are a public
that loves our dogs and loves to recreate on Public Lands. That alone precludes the safety of trapping. Responsible
Trappers usually do a good job of checking their traplines and using good techniques to limit catch of Non Target
Species, but all too often that is not enough. It only takes a brief moment for a dog or a child to “investigate” that
unusual smell or funny looking clump of twigs etc and set off a trap. Foot hold traps may not be lethal for dog or
child or other non target species but waiting for release can cause injury and stress that often leads to permanent
damage in domestic species and death to non target wildlife if they are no longer able to feed and care for
themselves. The Lethal traps like the Conibear Set are designed to kill. And by Kill I mean suffocate, the trap is a
“head catch” and in small animals may break their neck if they are lucky but in most cases it is death by
suffocation. The debate about trapping in Montana is for another day but it is common sense to at the very least
regulate more closely where and when traps may be legally set. I would love to see more inspection and oversight of
known trap lines and warning signs if traps are currently being worked in an area.
I speak from a very personal place of loss on this subject matter. I lost my dog to a Conibear trap while hiking on
Public Land. She was off leash but in an area where this was totally appropriate. I tried my level best to release her
but in the end had to watch as she suffocated. Later I learned the proper way to release a Conibear trap by going to
public classes on the subject, but I will tell you that I was not strong enough to release the trap even in those
simulated conditions. I later learned that the Trapper was OUT of State at the time, so it was an unattended trap as
well.
Thank you for your efforts.