[MCN] RELEASE: Safe and accessible Missoula recreation areas free of dangerous traps proposed

[Matthew Koehler]

For immediate release: July 28, 2020





*Conservation and animal groups propose safe and accessible Missoula
recreation areas*

*Archaic trapping rules currently put people and pets at risk in the
outdoors*



MISSOULA—Today, local and regional advocacy groups sent a list of
recreation hot spots
<http://pdf.wildearthguardians.org/support_docs/FWP_Proposal_7.28.20.pdf> to
the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks that would benefit from
being free of dangerous traps. The seven areas comprise some of the most
popular places to visit in the Missoula wildland-urban interface.
Indiscriminate and cruel traps are allowed in and around Missoula’s most
popular recreation spots even as the region’s economy increasingly relies
on outdoor recreation. A global pandemic has made safe and accessible
public lands more critical to communal well-being than ever before, and a
slew of high-profile incidents involving domestic animals has highlighted
the need for safer recreation areas.



Areas proposed for safer access include Kelly Island, Lolo Trails, Council
Grove State Park, Jonsrud Park, Marshall Canyon, and important fishing
areas along the Clark Fork River and Rock Creek. Along with concentrated
public recreation use, these areas are critical for wildlife and
biodiversity. Their closure represents a very small fraction of land
available to trappers in the Missoula area. Closures would help prevent
tragedies like the death of Betsy who was killed in a trap near the Clark
Fork River in December, 2019.



“Residents of the City of Missoula and Missoula County have invested for
decades in open space and public lands to support habitat and recreation
and have expectations that those public spaces are safe for humans and
companion animals,” said Missoula Mayor, John Engen. “Prohibiting trapping
in these high-traffic public lands seems nothing but reasonable to me.”



“Closing these areas to trapping is baseline common sense for conservation
and public safety,” said Sarah McMillan, conservation director of WildEarth
Guardians and a longtime Missoula resident. “These areas are not only some
of our favored getaways as Missoulans, but are also critical to the
wildlife and biodiversity that makes our home such a wonderful place.”



“The time has come to end trapping around communities in Montana,” said
Stephen Capra, executive director of Footloose Montana. “It’s not just an
issue of safety, but reclaiming the lands that belong to the vast majority
that own these public lands and want to utilize them for recreation without
fear for their family or pets.”



“Indiscriminate traps present serious risks to endangered species as well
as humans and dogs. They have no place in public recreation spaces,” said
Michelle Blake, western region coordinator for the Mountain Lion
Foundation. “We hope FWP commissioners will seriously consider this
common-sense proposal to protect public safety.”



The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has indicated that they are open
to hearing from the public about areas that may not be appropriate for
trapping. Every year, the commission and the Department review furbearer
and wolf trapping regulations. The commission is slated to meet on August 15
th to review proposed regulation changes. Conservation advocates, animal
welfare enthusiasts, and outdoor recreators hope the commission will
consider safe access areas.

A copy of the list sent to MT FWP is here:
http://pdf.wildearthguardians.org/support_docs/FWP_Proposal_7.28.20.pdf



*Background:*



Trapping on public lands is legal in Montana. The law does not require trap
locations to be marked, signed, or for any warnings to be present. No
penalties exist for trappers who unintentionally trap non-target species
including endangered species, protected species, domestic animals, pets,
humans, or livestock.



No database or official record is kept by any public entity and no
requirement exists that trappers report when they have captured a dog in
their traps. The pattern these incidents follow is usually similar; dogs
screaming and frantically biting at the person desperately trying to rescue
them. Veterinary and even human medical treatment along with associated
expenses can result, as can long-lasting psychological trauma. Neither the
Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks nor trappers are liable for the
damages that are caused by traps.



The true toll that trapping takes on native wildlife is difficult to know.
Reporting requirements exist for some species, but not for many, including
coyotes, red foxes, badgers, weasels, and raccoons. The accuracy of
reporting is unverifiable, and numbers do not adequately articulate the
suffering and carnage that traps wreak on bobcats, foxes, endangered
wolves, coyotes, and other animals.



The existence of trapping by a minuscule subset of the population using
Montana’s public lands is in direct conflict with one of the state’s most
valuable economic strengths: outdoor recreation. Outdoor recreation
generates $7.1 billion in consumer spending and $2.2 billion in wages and
salary in Montana. 71,000 jobs are directly tied to the industry. This
economy is not bolstered by piles of dead animals discarded by public
roadways or by the thousands of wild animals taken from Montana’s diverse
public landscapes for personal profit.



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