TRAPPERS: Humane way to meet needs

Firstly I would like to say I personally feel slandered by the comments made by Mr. Ruther. And secondly am a little ashamed to see such things published in an Idaho newspaper. That being said please allow me to voice my opinion to Mr. Rother.

As a trapper myself I do everything in my power to make sure the predatory animals that feed on your neighborhood cats, dogs and livestock are dispatched as quickly and humanely as possible and so does every trapper I know. We as trappers do happen to notice there are more people on this Earth than ourselves. I personally challenge you Mr. Rother to take a step back and realize that of those "seven billion human beings" you mentioned your views and your lifestyle are not shared by everyone.

As for mutilating and indiscriminately killing, I apologize for my blatant rudeness sir but I must laugh at that statement. Why would a trapper mutilate what he puts so much time and hard labor into collecting? As for your rarest species sir, we as trappers target only those species which we are legally allowed to target. For those species that we are not, well that's why we keep conservation officers numbers handy for humane releases of those species back into their natural habitat. Due to word restrictions I will end on this note: We trappers have been here from the beginning of this country and will continue to be here long after your passing Mr. Rother so get used to us.

RAEMON M. SAUER

Osburn