Tags on traps.

[mrvic]

First i would like to thank this site for the countless information i get from it. I am a Outdoorsman since 1968 here in Iowa. Bowhunting and Predator hunting mostly. The tag on trap issue was brought up on another thread of the winter meeting. I thought i would start this one here instead of clouding that thread. I kind of like the idea of the name and addy on the tags myself and here's why. I travel alot in the country of Jefferson and Van Buren counties. There has been a lot of trapping of the roadsides by alot of fellows. My friends included. There is alot of trappers that are not checking there traps for days and even weeks. I would very much like to trap those trappers that are doing this and leave them out in this cold to suffer for days and than to die and have other animals eat on them. What a waste!! Guys, no wonder trapping along roadsides is getting stopped. You know what non hunters as well as oldtime trappers are saying about your sport when they see this crap? It ain't just in the Trapping sport. I have found countless deer dead that were probably to small for someone to take. And some with heads off. So there is always bad choices made by many. Anyway those names that show up on the tags are very good punishment for this kind of thing. Neighbors, Landowners and fellow hunters can know who they are. I'm all for Trapping and Hunting and it upsets me that every year more and more rules and regulations are passed to curtail our sports in one way or the other. Thanks for my 2 cents.

[longpond]

[Bankrunner]

I agree with the bad apples out there. Here is the other side of the names on tags I don't like. Say someone don't like you in THEIR territory. All they would have to do is order tags with MR.Vic, bla bla address and start planting traps or snares all over the county. Now who looks bad. You will get the ticket, not them. Atleast with a choice, they won't know you by numbers.

[mrvic]

Good point, but since most make up there own tags and /order them what prevents the ass's from picking your number from the field and stamping it out and doing the same thing? Just asking. I can't see any way of protecting yourself this way either. The only way i can see this working if you go to numbers only then be safe, is if you register each trap and get a tag for it. (Here we go) from the state. Than they can't copy your tag number to another trap unless they cut it off the registered trap and do it. Control from the state. So that is why i like the Name and addy. I'm just thinking out loud, not trying to be contary. If problems keep coming up like fighting and moving in on others areas, i surely could see the end of roadside trapping coming to all counties. Although, This would stop the problems you guys are having with stolen traps, someone moving in on you, etc, etc. I doubt if a landowner would let more than one trapper on their farm. I know for a fact that most of the traps with the animals left in them come from another county, and another town 30 miles from here.

[~ADC~]

It wouldn't take me long to put a face to a number around here. I can usually tell who's trap/snare it is without even reading the tag just by the way it's set.

~ADC~

[Bankrunner]

Jan 28, 2010 22:43:27 GMT -6 ~ADC~ said:

It wouldn't take me long to put a face to a number around here. I can usually tell who's trap/snare it is without even reading the tag just by the way it's set.

~ADC~

Jayme,

I'm like a shadow and move under the cover of darkness. ;D Which means getting up at 2:30 and checking before work. I wish I could trap around your guys' areas where the regulars respect each other. Here I got a couple where our lines cross and their sh!t gets old.

Vic,

I understand what you are saying. If they're thieves it won't matter anyway.

[jdrogge]

Sounds to me like you have issues in your area with a few not checking their gear so here is the solution, turn them in, they give us all a black eye. Now I'm not trying to start the pissing match about ditch trapping again but I will say this, when your talking about ditch trapping the statement "moving in on others areas" has no place. It belongs to all of us and a guy 30 miles away or 130 miles away has just as much right to be there as the guy that lives just around the corner. I am in no way condoning what this guy is doing I'm just saying a non local has just as much right to a area as a local so that has no place in the argument. The reason that I brought up the tag issue is that I believe a person would be more likely to mess with someone who lives 30 miles away than someone who lives down the street, so why not take that out of the equation and let us use numbers. If they don't know who they are stealing from they may not be as likely to do it.

[4fur]

The first thing I have to point out is that guy is not a trapper: he is a guy who sets traps. He is a game law violator and should be talked to about ethics.

I have no opinion about changing our tagging system and can see advantages to both names or number ID's. I wouldn't relish the idea of changing all the traps I have tagged or the expense. I do believe individual trap ID tag cost would be prohibitive.

You say "a lot of guys" mrvic. Are you sure it's not just one arsehole? As an avid outdoorsman, I'm sure you know that fur harvesting is the most effective control of animal populations and disease and damage control that result when they go unchecked. Last years coon harvest was less than half the previous year and this year will be less than half of last year's. Legally trapping the public ROW is a valuable and necessary furbearer management tool IMHO.

[paulb]

i am still waiting to hear the advantages of trap tags,,, ,,,seems like there are plenty of down sides

[mrvic]

Thanks Guys for the info on this. All good. Yes thats the deal jdrogge, problems. And i heard they where all ready turned in by other trappers. 4fur it is more than two people, i read the tags on the dead sets. Yeap, i know Trapping is a must for reasons you state. Been there and done it back in the early 80's, but other things trip my trigger more now a days. Guys and Gals I DON"T have a problem with anything else guys other than, the leaving a animal in the trap for days and even weeks to suffer and linger to a death in front of the whole world. I just want to bring it to attention among you fine folks. That people are not trapping in a responsible way and it's going to hurt all of us in the end. We don't need anymore Reg's or restrictions from the man. Thank you.

[4fur]

Don't blame your anger on the subject a bit, mrvic! It makes me really mad, too.

So lets have a public hanging...name the names on here. Someone will know them or if they're on here they can have a chance to defend themselves. There are illnesses, vehicle problems and deaths in the family. But there is also a commitment to lawfully check traps! Hang 'em!

[jdrogge]

[centraliowa (ryan)]

the only thing that makes me nervous about the current tags is the fact that any anti or misplaced city folk knows where i live. i follow the rules and always set legally. but say a city folk lets their dog run, gets into one of my traps, and a hot headed city slicker comes to my house mad as all get out and starts throwing out threats to my wife and kids. this is my biggest fear about my information on the tags. it has not happened yet and hopefully never does.

[iayogi17]

lets go Wayne lets go. hang him by his toe nails. we have a new Sheriff in town. I think if you know of a problem in your area you should do something about it, call it in.

[4fur]

After thinking about this, I agree with calling it in. Its a lot like the guy who was trapping Nov. 1 and yelled at the guy who politely informed him season hadn't opened yet. BTW, what ever happened with that?

I still think peer pressure works best but the offender needs to have a conscience. Personally, I'd rather have a $110 ticket than my rep ruined.

[jim blakley aka Gadget]

If you see animals in traps for "days even weeks" and dont report it , your part of the problem !

[furgood]

Amen Jim, letting an animal suffer knowingly is inexcusable. I am glad to be back to just my Ne tags as it is just my driver ID #. I don't have to worry about antis showing up on my door or anyone else that knows where I live because of a trap tag. The only people I want questioning me about my trapping are law enforcement and other trappers.

[paulb]

? for u furgood,,,is it a violation if a game warden finds you with a trap in your possession and it does not have a tag on it in your state??thanks

[furgood]

Paul the answer is NO! It is unlawful to set any trap for furbearers or coyotes unless properly tagged but I can carry them around unset all day long. ;D

[paulb]

THANK YOU