HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-24 Public Comment - C. Anders - Ordinance 2162From:Chase Anders
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Ordinance 2162
Date:Thursday, September 12, 2024 3:36:49 PM
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Hello,
I am writing to you in regards to Ordinance 2162. I watched the meeting as I was unable toattend. Many of the public comments were from anti-trapping organizations and they were
not stating facts, but rather spreading misinformation. I would like to respond to some of theirclaims with facts.
1. Footloose Montana is an organization that wants to end ALL trapping. Not only that they
are the organization behind Ordinance 2162. They claim that trapping does not discriminate.They would make you believe that every year many dogs get caught in traps and snares and
are either killed or maimed. However, this is not the case. Even on their website, they showwhere dogs have gotten caught in traps and snares. Please see the screenshot below of these
instances. As you can see there are 3 cases in our area. These occurred in 2012, 2014, and2015. There have been no cases since. I would encourage you to review this information for
yourselves on their website.
2. Claims that trapping does not discriminate what or who it targets. The fact is that trappersdo not want to catch anything we do not want to catch. How is this achieved? Many waysfrom Trapping seasons and areas, the size of the trap used to target the specific species, as wellas practices such as elevated sets above the ground, even down to pan tensions which sets the
weight needed for a trap to actually go off. This ensures the target species are the only thingcaught.
3. Claims Trapping is cruel and maims animals. There are several trap types. Body Hold
traps dispatch the animal instantly so that it doesnt even know what happened. Leg hold trapsdo exactly that, HOLD the leg. They dont break the leg or even puncture the hide. The animal
is then released or dispatched quickly.
4. Claims that trappers do not check their traps and animals suffer for days or weeks. By lawthere is a 24-48 hour trap check. Most trappers check their traps every day. Trapping is the
most regulated activity in the outdoors. It has more regulations than hunting.
The above are just some claims that I wanted to provide the real facts on. Additionally, I
heard in the meeting that many commissioners by their own admission stated they are notfamiliar with trapping. Yet they ruled in favor of this Ordinance. How can they rule on
something they dont have any or all the facts on?
The language in this ordinance is based on the POTENTIAL for conflicts. As you can seeabove, there has been little to no conflicts with dogs or people in this area in the last 9 years.
Yet the commission voted Yes on this. Why?
Footloose Montana said "trappers make up less than 1% of the recreational population in thisarea" and therefore trapping should be banned. So with this reasoning, whichever recreational
group is in the minority, their activity should not be tolerated? If cross-country skiing or rockclimbing was the minority, does that mean those activities should be outlawed?
Please note that trapping is a HIGHLY regulated activity set out by the FWP. They use
trapping as a management tool to sustain healthy populations as well as gather very importantdata on these animals. Currently we trappers provide tissue samples on marten we harvest and
provide this data to the FWP so they can gather genetic testing. We work with FWP to livetrap Marten so we can re-locate them to the Bridger mountains in order to get a population of
them going in that Mountain range...their native range.
Yes trappers are less than 1% of the population...that is because it is hard...it takes skills...weare out in harsh weather and harsh conditions...not everyone can handle the conditions and
that's why we are less than 1% of the population
I am more than happy to sit down with the commission and have a conversation, and educateon trapping. I encourage you not to rubber stamp this ordinace simply based on a lack of
understanding, and due to an establishment that seeks out to eliminate trapping altogether.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Best Regards,Chase Anders
1543 Ryun Sun WayBozeman, MT 59718
406-600-2953