TRAPPING: New laws are needed

I am writing in support of Darlene Carlton’s letter of Feb. 6 on the dangers of trapping. With the number of dogs being injured or killed in traps, I no longer feel safe taking my two dogs out hiking on public trails. There are many more people enjoying public lands and trails. There needs to be more regulations on where and when trapping can take place, or it should be eliminated altogether.

I feel sad for people that can only enjoy the out-of-doors by killing wildlife in this cruel and indiscriminate manner for furs alone. When they set their traps, do they concern themselves about injuring or killing someone’s cherished dog or a child? What purpose does it have in our civilized world? Do trappers have some romantic idea of carrying on the tradition of the pioneer fur trapper?

I have nothing against hunting. There is a season; the meat is used to feed a family and the animals don’t suffer for hours in a trap, sometimes chewing off a paw to get free. I agree with Darlene, there should at least be a trapping season. Washington state has a trapping season from Nov. 1 to March 31 and traps are required to be picked up after the season. Trappers also have to pass a test to get a license.

Trapping should not have been lumped in with fishing and hunting in our Constitution as a right. I hope future legislation will correct this mistake.

SHIRLEY STURTS

Coeur d’Alene