Looks like all 9 of the Minnesota Trapping Associations have a lot of work to do as it relates to public opinion of trapping in that state. Check this out.
"Opposition is higher for a wolf trapping season with nearly 60% of Minnesotans opposed and 30%
in support."Very disappointing to see that in a state that I consider top tier for trapping. I submitted several comments, but one that I always added was that wolves should never be "hunt-able" because it conflicts with their proposed management process. If a member of the public has morals AND they don't like wolves to be killed, which option is preferred? Trapping where we can positively ID whether it's a male, female, pregnant, not pregnant, adult or juvenile, collared or not collared AND if we need to release it, we can gather additional data points as their Wolf Management Plan speaks of.
There are only 2 things I see wrong with the Wolf Plan, one of which is the verbiage "If a harvest season occurs" instead of "When". There should always be a season, but only for trapping and the Wolf Experts there should just tell the trapper how many they can take from the area they are trapping. First come, First served, along with constant communication and monitoring, or they can just make it lottery trap only which I would be fine with. The last part and you guys and even the hunters should be aware of this.
https://www.startribune.com/eyeing-...-for-huge-outdoors-investment/600228217/What this does, if the DNR is successful in getting money from the State, that provides the avenue for the general public to have a say in how hunting, trapping and fishing are regulated. This is terrible because while I fully understand the viewpoint of "as long as there is enough for us to look at, enjoy and see, good to go", but in many cases that is not really how it is.
All in all, I think it's a good Wolf Plan, but I do see it being a bit biased towards the public which is unfortunate because you pander to your audience. The
VERY BEST thing that MInnesota Trappers could do to help themselves is get immediately involved in Wolf Trapping for science there in Minnesota. It's far better to be "apart" of the solution and even to be the structure vs trying to fight it with a POV that just will not win anymore. If you get enough people in the structure, you control the process, just remember that. I am going to keep being involved with them, I hope you Minnesota boys can send off enough emails to overcome me. Tight Lines!
