I'm going to the Horicon.

Better to have brought out the salt to sprinkle on some old wounds that have not healed.

It's easier to become a US Boarder Agent and work in a airport in Canada, then after a year you can trap here

I'll skin your rats for you.

Fur trapping is dying a death from a 1000 cuts. Low fur prices, over regulation, low trapper recruitment. As much as I hate to say it our industry is in trouble, and may never come back. I would bet that 80% of the trappers actively trapping are age 50 or older. Just look around at a convention.

To me its, simple, I am in favor of any legislation that creates more opportunities for trappers, or reduces burdensome regulations. Opening Minnesota up would create opportunities for more trappers.

I would guess that you may have 20 - 30 non resident licenses sold, it would have zero impact on the resource. Southern Minnesota is hardly being trapped now, 1000s of good mink and coon locations 20 feet from your truck door won't see a trap this year. Any trapper that knows what they are doing and wants to trap hard should be able to take a 100 mink per week, and move on to fresh locations until freeze up, and hardly have any competition.

I read through this thread and see the same arguments that I have seen for the past 30 years. So when someone tells you that: "you need to be patient", or "the timing isn't right, maybe next year", it rings a little hollow.

I've always supported non resident trapping, it has cost me some customers, but so be it. More to life than money.

I will say this about the MTA, it has done its part and more to support both the NTA and FTA. When these groups need financial support, the MTA has been there to help. We have a strong association and have fairly good trapping regulations, especially being a liberal state. So to folks that wish ill will to the MTA, please consider that folks on both side of this issue are part of the association. And all have done their part to keep our association strong.

125 per week. haha. hope alls well gerald.

Tim, you have to remember, Gerald's getting a little long on years lol.

yeah but hes shorter on years than i am.

What I have heard, they sure heck don't want anymore mn hunters/trappers coming there way also. Don't talk to pleasant about the badger state hunters and trappers either.
I'm talking land owners.

Blue platers! Pretty normal to despise non-residents here too. Ask Beav about the Flatlanders (now FIBS).

Gonna feed me too?

I find it interesting that several people have PMed me in support of this subject. They have confirmed as well as debunked some of my suspicions. Funny though, all have been supportive of getting NR trapping allowed but yet no one who is against it has PMed me to try to explain their side. Overall I do see that MN trappers do NOT support one another like they should be and there for do NOT support trappers in general including other states. From what I have gathered I can understand both sides of the story but can not agree with the nay say'ers. It's been mentioned that with the down market, what few NR trappers there would be wouldn't make a noticeable impact. I like the suggestion of trying it for a year but feel it might take a few to get a good idea of how things would work out. I'm not apposed to NR's not being allowed to trap some animals or a different starting date as residents. But even with a trial period, I don't see the other states allowing me to trap as a NR unless this trial period is more than just a one year thing. So far what I have heard from those who appose it haven't really persuaded me with a good enough reason. "Because I say so" or "I don"t want to" isn't a good reason in any discussion. Forgive me if I am wrong but from what I see is a few people who not only don't want NR's to trap in their area but don't even want their neighbors (other residents) allowed to. Change is coming weather we like it or not. Best to get ahead of it so we have some control before we loose everything!

Like I said, approach the DNR with a 1-3 year trial basis. That is a step in the direction you want to go and change is easier when done in baby steps. I no longer have a dog in this fight. It won't bother me at all to see NR trapping here and I will never trap out of state. I was merely offering a suggestion that MOST may be agreeable to.

I guess my biggest concern is that both of my sons and my grandchildren live out of state and they can't come home and go trapping with me and I can't trap where they live either. My youngest son used to go with and help me trap when he was growing up and I would like him to be able to do it again along with his son before I croak.

Rob, the DNR doesn't make law and it will take a law change from the legislature.

Doug, with having children that live out of state, I have the same fear as you.

I wonder how many States that claim to allow NR trapping have reciprocity restrictions? We don't. Maybe you should work on removing those restrictions? Maybe FTA and NTA can strong arm those States?

Either let Non- residents in or don't. What rules another State has is irrelevant. OH wait, I forgot about FAIRNESS.

I will bet back when ND had rats and there a rat market, ND had as many MN residents trapping, as people from any other state. They just did it with out a license or got a ND resident license.

^ right there tells the true story of mn outdoorsman. Neighboring state hate to see them come.
Yep! Right there again show the what a true mn trapper/hunter is. They are what some here have expressed and experienced. Neighboring (SD/ND) landowners hate to see them come.

snowy finally sees his moment, lol

Crawl back under your rock bud, lol

That would be really nice!! Hope it happens.

Is it a law or a regulation??

Legislators have to change laws here in PA.
DNR changes the regs.