New Trapping opportunities?
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:06 am
Hi.Not sure this the right place for this and,except skunks,coons and cats around my place,I haven't trapped since high school but I favor trapping so here goes:
What follows is a post I just entered this morning on a waterfowl site.I would hope you might try getting your trapping Assocs involved in this idea.I see it as a partial solution to waterfowl predation but also as an opportunity for trappers-and for getting more young trappers started and involved.
Dcoy
" live in waterfowl heaven-in the middle of the Coteau plateau.The waterfowl factory of N America.A 'factory'in trouble because of CRP/habitat loss.
If you're into waterfowl,really into it,there's nothing like watching the spectacle of the spring migration.So this morning,with most of the snows north of me,I sleep in a bit but eventually get going and decide to pour a jug of coffee and take a ride to gaze at the mass migration.Even before leaving my driveway the scene starts unfolding.Every puddle,every ice free slough edge,etc full of all kinds of waterfowl-almost in the yard.I head east and an 80 of my CRP running along the road has a number of mallard pairs buzzing it looking for,anxious to start,nesting.
However,all to often in this one hour ride I'm going past plowed up CRP,fields were no nesting will take place anymore.Then I start noticing other things,the remaining CRP not only has mallards circling,gliding,and buzzing it,it has hawks doing the same.Natural,nothing new,except as you drive you notice lots of hawks over CRP and then it slowly dawns on you,of course,there are more hawks,not totally but certainly 'more'in the sense they also are concentrated.Undeniably to the detriment of nesting waterfowl.
I could go on and on about my ride and what I saw but perhaps we should discuss this part of the problem of habitat loss-predation.We all know and have read about the benefit of large grasslands(CRP)dispersing predators.We may have followed with interest the tension between certain Orgs re 'predation'reduction as a goal and solution,but now,I believe,its time to really look at this issue again.
My view is we have options here.Options we should explore and pursue.My view is we need predator reduction programs more than ever.Perhaps we can't solve the CRP loss(see my other thread though on that)but by god we can implement predation reduction programs on the remaining CRP AND on State and Federal lands if we have the WILL to do so.How about engaging private trappers?Good for them,waterfowl,and the economy overall.
Please think about this and consider contacting your friends,reps,whoever in the various Orgs and governments.Time is ticking away.Lets not keep fiddling.
Creative minds can hopefully 'see'other solutions as well.I want future generations to be able to pour a cup and get out and enjoy this spring miracle."
What follows is a post I just entered this morning on a waterfowl site.I would hope you might try getting your trapping Assocs involved in this idea.I see it as a partial solution to waterfowl predation but also as an opportunity for trappers-and for getting more young trappers started and involved.
Dcoy
" live in waterfowl heaven-in the middle of the Coteau plateau.The waterfowl factory of N America.A 'factory'in trouble because of CRP/habitat loss.
If you're into waterfowl,really into it,there's nothing like watching the spectacle of the spring migration.So this morning,with most of the snows north of me,I sleep in a bit but eventually get going and decide to pour a jug of coffee and take a ride to gaze at the mass migration.Even before leaving my driveway the scene starts unfolding.Every puddle,every ice free slough edge,etc full of all kinds of waterfowl-almost in the yard.I head east and an 80 of my CRP running along the road has a number of mallard pairs buzzing it looking for,anxious to start,nesting.
However,all to often in this one hour ride I'm going past plowed up CRP,fields were no nesting will take place anymore.Then I start noticing other things,the remaining CRP not only has mallards circling,gliding,and buzzing it,it has hawks doing the same.Natural,nothing new,except as you drive you notice lots of hawks over CRP and then it slowly dawns on you,of course,there are more hawks,not totally but certainly 'more'in the sense they also are concentrated.Undeniably to the detriment of nesting waterfowl.
I could go on and on about my ride and what I saw but perhaps we should discuss this part of the problem of habitat loss-predation.We all know and have read about the benefit of large grasslands(CRP)dispersing predators.We may have followed with interest the tension between certain Orgs re 'predation'reduction as a goal and solution,but now,I believe,its time to really look at this issue again.
My view is we have options here.Options we should explore and pursue.My view is we need predator reduction programs more than ever.Perhaps we can't solve the CRP loss(see my other thread though on that)but by god we can implement predation reduction programs on the remaining CRP AND on State and Federal lands if we have the WILL to do so.How about engaging private trappers?Good for them,waterfowl,and the economy overall.
Please think about this and consider contacting your friends,reps,whoever in the various Orgs and governments.Time is ticking away.Lets not keep fiddling.
Creative minds can hopefully 'see'other solutions as well.I want future generations to be able to pour a cup and get out and enjoy this spring miracle."