Position Statements on Key Issues
Introduction
Over the years, there have been several trapping-related issues which have repeatedly risen to a high level of concern for our members and our organization.
After facing repeated debates and discussions on these issues, the ATA Board of Directors decided to adopt written statements expressing our views on these issues. In this way, we hope to provide a consistent position to decision-makers and the general population, as well.
These documents (known as Position Statements) have worked as we had hoped. We now hear Game Board members or Fish & Game personnel referring to our Position Statements during discussions of specific issues. The process has been gradual, but it has helped these people understand and accept our point of view.
Position Statements
State Management of Wildlife
The Alaska Trappers Association supports state management of wildlife, including furbearers. We believe that state management is superior and preferable to federal management. By our state constitution, our wildlife resources belong to the people of Alaska. They are to be managed by and for the people of the state. We further extend our support to:
- The Alaska Department of Fish & Game for gathering the biological information which allows managers and regulators to understand population dynamics of furbearers and other wildlife species;
- The Board of Game for adopting regulations which maintain population levels, while allowing for equitable human allocation and use of furbearers and other wildlife species;
- The Alaska State Troopers for enforcing trapping regulations, thus ensuring proper harvest of furbearers and equal balance among trappers. Similarly, we support Trooper enforcement of hunting regulations, which ensures balance among hunters.
Adopted this 26th day of March, 2019.
Public Safety Threat
Opponents of trapping often claim that trapping is a threat to public safety. This is simply not true. An internet search reveals NO articles, references or even rumors of humans being injured by traps in Alaska. Even our opponents’ websites have no actual incidents to showcase. Unfortunately, that fact doesn’t stop them from making the false claim that trapping poses a hazard to humans. Trapping as a threat to public safety remains “urban legend.” Trapping poses no threat to humans.
Adopted this 28th day of April, 2015
Firearm Harvest of Furbearers
The Alaska Trappers Association believes that trapping and snaring should remain the primary means of harvest for furbearer species. We are not opposed to harvest of furbearers by means of firearms. However, we don’t support
expansion of hunting seasons to the point that harvest by firearms surpasses harvest by traps and snares. Traditional trapping and snaring should remain the primary method of harvest.
Adopted this 28th day of April, 2015
Minimum Trap Check Period
The Alaska Trappers Association does not support the implementation of a minimum trap check period anywhere in Alaska. The primary basis for this position is that a requirement to check traps within a set time window could force a trapper to be out in hazardous weather conditions. If a trapper were facing a man-made deadline for checking traps, he could be faced with the severe cold of arctic winter or intense storms of coastal Alaska. These conditions (and others) could be life-threatening.
Another scenario could involve a trapper suffering from illness or injury. Facing an artificial deadline, the trapper could once again be forced to venture out under circumstances which could lead to further injury or even death.
In addition, low population densities of many furbearer species do not justify checking traps frequently. The number of animals caught under this scheme would not cover the trapper’s expenses. Trappers must make a profit to justify the time and effort they invest. Trapping systems in Alaska have evolved over decades to be as efficient as possible. Trappers have learned that allowing several days to pass between trap checks allows for efficient harvest of the renewable fur resource.
A minimum trap check period would place an unnecessary burden on law-abiding trappers, with no benefit to the furbearer resources.
The Alaska Trappers Association does not support the implementation of a minimum trap check period.
Adopted this 28th day of April, 2015.
Trap Identification Tags
The Alaska Trappers Association does not support a requirement that identification tags be attached to traps and snares anywhere in Alaska. Proponents of this concept suggest that trap tags would reduce or eliminate trapping violations. That is idle speculation. Only law-abiding trappers would obey this new regulation. “Outlaw” trappers would ignore the requirement, as they do with other regulations. Thus, trap tags would serve no useful purpose and would place an unnecessary burden on law-abiding trappers.
In addition, tagged traps belonging to law-abiding trappers could be stolen and re-set illegally. This is not idle speculation. It happened to a member of our Board of Directors when he was trapping in the Lower 48. Fortunately, local law enforcement officials were aware of his ethical standards and normal trapping areas. He was not cited, but this incident serves as an example of how tagged traps can be used against a law-abiding trapper. Threats of similar actions have
been made in recent years in Alaska.
We are also concerned about the potential for uneven enforcement throughout the State. Regulations should be enforced equally in all areas.
The Alaska Trappers Association does not support implementation of a regulation requiring identification be attached to all traps and snares.
Adopted this 28th day of April, 2015.
Trapline Signs
The Alaska Trappers Association encourages trappers in road-accessible regions of the State to post signs near
major points of access to their personal trapline trails. These signs should explain that there are traps and/or
snares on or near the trail. The signs could also include the trappers name and contact information. These signs
are intended to alert other trail users of the purpose of the trail, so that they can avoid conflict with the trapper.
This approach of posting signs should be beneficial for everyone involved.
Adopted this 27th day of September, 2016.