I’m referring to asking the government’s permission. These kids have access to more land than they could trap.

Try again.


And don’t be getting all liberal on me wanting free stuff.

Are you talking about purchasing a trapping license? Is that the hoop they are crying about jumping through?

Or government owned land? I can get on board with wanting a lot of government land opened up for trapping and hunting. That would be great.

I can’t really complain about resident trapping license fees. Now, non-resident fees are ridiculous.

I was giving you a hard time about free stuff.

The information below is taken directly from the AFWA survey.

"Thank you for your participation in this study on trapping and trap use. Your state fish and wildlife agency is participating in this nationwide study coordinated by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) concerning the use of traps in the United States. The results of this study will help protect the ability of the states to manage furbearers through trapping, help sustain trapping opportunities, and promote trapping for future generations to enjoy.

This survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete, depending on your level of participation. Please submit your completed survey by June 30.

Please be assured that your answers will never be associated with your name, address, trapping license, or other contact information."

Okay, I’ll take the survey.

Folks
If you’re at the NTA, stop by and see me and I’ll be glad to tell you more about the survey. For what it is worth, I helped draft those questions. Very long story made short, we want to know what traps are most important to trappers so that we can gather information on those traps. For example, we want to know what kind of traps are important to fisher trappers. I can assume that, or we can ask trappers to help us figure it out.

How is this useful? I can give all kinds of examples, but I’ll just give two very brief examples from just this last year. First exemplar, I testified in Florida as that state is looking to allow land trapping for the first time over forty years. I was able to testify that the traps used by trappers (info from 2015 survey) meet the international humane trap standards.
Similarly - I testified in Congress (twice in the last year) on the wolf issue (delisting) and was able to say that common wolf traps, the ones actually used by real trappers (info pulled from the 2015 survey), can be used selectively.

I understand hesitancy to answer surveys, but this one is important. I rarely chime in on debates on here (I prefer to just talk trapping as an avid trapper and lifetime NTA and MTA member), but wanted to throw in my two cents. I’ll step back and let you all debate this without me, but if you still have questions in July, stop by and see me at NTA.

Best wishes
Nathan Roberts

Thank you! While taking the survey I was impressed with the simple questioning and the way it was set up to gather solid and useful information. I knew it wasn't done by the go to survey creator from Ohio State that our division of wildlife uses.

Thank you Mr. Roberts!!!

You da man!!

Taking the survey or not.....just no need to be so negative about something we all are passionate about.

We on the same team....

You know, most people who are distrustful of F&G departments most likely have a reason that they are. I highly doubt that they wake up one morning and say, "You know what, F&G has never been nothing but good to me and they really care about the game animals in this state, but I think I'll go make a post bashing them on social media anyways."

TRUE DAT !!!

w

Bottom line is there are some state's wildlife agencies that may seem be too far gone. Politics, animal rights, corruption, etc all factor in.

Probably every state has had to deal with some/most of these problems. Changes can be made, but it seems hopeless for most citizens. There are avenues to get more involved, but most won't do it...so the cycle continues.

Lack of interest in trappers supporting trappin associations is a good example. I'm as guilty as many. I'm a life member of the Georgia TA, but I let my membership drop in the NTA.

But, I will drive all over this state to argue for trapping & hunting. There are many in our state agencies that can be trusted.

Just have to really get involved to know the players and learn the game.

We (FTA) made a post about this survey back in the beginning of the month. We've also tried to get the word out by email, and posting on social media about it.

If you want to see what's done with the results...

https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-inspires/furbearer-management

Scroll down to the Surveys & Reports section. Information from previous surveys is linked there.

On another note the information that is gleaned from these types of surveys (specifically speaking to AFWA) can help organizations like the FTA with obtaining or being a part of grants. We are currently partnered in a grant with SEAFWA (Southeastern Assoc. of Fish & Wildlife Agencies) in working to create awareness and provide information for new or beginner trappers.

Grants for what?

Where does the grant money come from?

It's funds that are from USFWS through AFWA and are awarded through the Multi-State Conservation Grant program.

https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/multi-state-conservation-grants-program

The grant the FTA is currently involved is an R3 based grant for trapper recruitment.