Trapping policy must be revised

Attention: Virgil Moore, Idaho Fish & Game, Boise; Brad Corkill, Idaho Fish & Game, CdA

Gentlemen,

I usually like to tell my California friends what heads-up, astute folks I have the pleasure of associating with during the three-month stay at our Hayden Lake cabin each year. Unfortunately, the enclosed "Caution Danger" notice from the English Point hiking trails is not a concept to share. Is this for real? It is almost like it is a spoof or something.

During my work career, I lived in the area for a while, was raised on a farm in the Midwest, am a hunter, fisherman, and did some trapping as a kid. I walk my GSP on these trails every afternoon. My concern is only about the safety of children and pets. I totally understand the need to do varmint control, or allow trappers to do it for you. I appreciate your heads up on the possibility of Kill Traps in the area, but I don't think your approach is very sound. The "Caution Danger" notice appeared at the trail head recently.

Virgil: I called your office and your number listed says "We are sorry, the number you have called cannot receive calls." HUH? Why have it on the note then?

Brad: I called your office and the lady told me that this only applies to the winter trapping season. However, the notice just appeared one day recently and has no seasonal qualifications or any explanation at all.

I have no background or history on the legislative process or policy formulation on this topic. But as a federal and local taxpayer, have small kids with us in the summer, and a dog, this policy seems really ill advised. It puts both people and pets at risk, and the State/County as well both from a legal entanglement as well as impact on your reputation.

Here are my concerns:

1) The notice says "Kill Traps may legally be baited, set, and hidden 5 feet from the center of any trail on public lands." This just doesn't make any sense to me. Why would you a place a trap that close to all those human smells? The problem is, if it is legal, then some numbskull will probably do it!

2) Many families with small children use those trails. Kids can easily get distracted by Mother Nature and can quickly venture off the trail a bit even when well behaved and closely supervised. The 5-foot minimum distance of the trap to the center of the trail can put the trap within a foot or two of the trail in the tall grass. Encountering a trap would be very dangerous if it is set. If it has been tripped, it is an unnecessary experience for a young child to see an animal dead from Kill Trap trauma or one still suffering.

3) I walk my dog on a standard, generally accepted, fixed 6-foot leash. But with me on the trail the dog can be well into the Kill Trap area as defined by the notice. An injured or killed pet is not the thing you'd expect on a beautiful trail meant for hiking.

4) Ironically, the notice is posted right next to a sign from your Forest Service colleagues that says "Take your dog waste 75' off the trail and scatter it." Not exactly consistent policies, and if you conform to the Feds, you put yourself and your pet at risk.

I hope this policy has already been changed and the troops just haven't gotten the word. At a minimum the distance should be a lot farther than 5 feet - maybe 100 feet. Another thing to consider would be to have some sort of small warning flag on the trail near the trap to let parents and dog owners exercise extra caution. I doubt your critters are smart enough to have that impact your trapping success.

If you are unable or unwilling to change this policy, it will just reinforce the unfortunate and usually inaccurate stereotypes of folks from this part of the country. I'm sure I am not the only one scratching his head about this inappropriate policy. I'd appreciate your help in seeing what can be done to meet the varmint control objectives while minimizing dangers to people and pets.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Byron Anderson is a part-time resident of Hayden Lake.