I trapped for Delta Waterfowl for eight years and trapped three islands in AK, to help the Aleutian Canada goose and other sea and shore birds. I am of the opinion that trapping can and does make a difference in ground nesting bird nest success, if enough is done. On the islands we eradicated the fox, they were invasive. For Delta we trapped 15 Mar-15 Jul. When I started, we were trapping a 6 x 6 mile block and had to have permission on at least 80% of the block. There is a lot of difference in fur trapping and trapping to protect ground nesting birds. Have you ever fur trapped the same ground four months, no matter how little you are catching? I saw all the numbers for the control blocks and trapped blocks while I work for Delta, both the US and Canada. I would also bet Delta has never had a hatch rate success in the 90% rate, much less 99%.
You may suggest that he contact Delta Waterfowl and ask if they have seen a difference in fur prices and nesting success.

Beav, didn’t you spend several summers in Alaska trapping fox for F&WS to protect nesting waterfowl?