As for the 2025 WCC questions, I'm not sure why WTA is so opposed to the question about allowing trail cams for trap checking

I went, no more than 30 showed up in Dane county. Since the Tv stations aren't filming any more Patricia and her gang aren't showing up anymore. Both of are reps ran unopposed in fact one wasn't even in a tendance.

So, you want to check traps with trail cams. You must have deep pockets. To check my line I would have to have 1oo+ cameras. And I think it cost something like $16.00 a month to subscribe per camera. In my opinion that's not trapping.

It's less than $16/camera, but you're right those cameras are very expensive. I don't know as it would be for me, but I think it would sell more trapping licenses.

In my mind, remote monitoring of traps has its place. ADC trapping is not like fur trapping. Often times, ADC locations are long distances apart. Travel time and related expenses could quickly cost justify remote monitoring.

Where you at the Spring Membership Meeting?

In my mind, what will happen is you will see a rise in bobcat and fisher tag applicants. People that have land or cottages that go up north for the weekend will be trapping remotely. Head up north for the weekend,
set a few traps with cameras and head home on Sunday. They can check there traps from the kitchen table eating breakfast all week. In my mind that is not the way it should be.

Trail cameras? Why not hire someone to check your traps, or set and check and put up the fur, just keeps getting easier.

I was at our spring hearing this year. I counted total of 7 people including myself that weren't part of the people up front. By far smallest turn out i have ever seen.

As for checking traps with cell camera or drone.. I got very mixed feels on the subject.
I remember taking heat years ago from few people. For only glassing fox sets from the road with spotting scope. Only walking in every other day unless there was a catch or snapped trap. Some how people thought that was cheating?? I had to wonder just what anyone thought I was taking from them??? My not walking right up to each trap. I was clearly meeting the 24 hour check rule and it took nothing from another trapper.
I had places I trapped where I trapped beavers and rats on private ground. . I humped my gear in on foot way farther than others would just to be by myself.
Then you got people saying your nuts its not worth the hike for price of fur. Why should that matter to anyone but me? If fur was worth bunch of money. Probably have a dozen people wanting to race into spot like that permission or not.
It seems its always about the money or competition with everything now days.

So why do I have mixed feelings about using technology to check traps?
Because like it or not I now join the ranks of the handicapped. Hard pill to swallow not being able to barely walk in waders, when i used to literally run. Now can barely get from the boat to a duck blind in them..

Oh boo hoo for me right.. LMAO..
This last 24-25 trapping season was the first time in many years. I did not set even one trap in the field somewhere, even though I bought a patrons license like I have since first available. Just wasn't feeling it.

Well anyways.. if I hobbled out in the woods or some farm field some where. Ride my quad and managed to set few traps.Just what would I be taking away from someone else? If I didn't have to hobble and stumble in every day to check them traps? Just looked at the camera or ran drone from the road? Make the hike if nessary for my one cat or fisher? Lots people been doing deer and bear baits that way for years.

I always have wondered why so many people. Spend so much time worrying about what other people are doing? Watching someone elses bobber and not thrir own? Especially when it has no direct effect on them and takes nothing away?

Mac

Ain't that the truth.

I wouldn’t call it trapping either and very likely wouldn’t participate but who cares, let them trap. Times are changing.

When they allowed remote voting and continue to allow it you will see less and less attendance.