Post by Idaho Muskrat on Nov 8, 2014 22:45:55 GMT -7
Importance of Reporting Trap Line Thieves
I have heard countless stories since I was a child about trap thieves. My father used to trap all the time when he was a child and always wanted me to do it. I would show interest in it every now and then, but then shy away due to the stories of people stealing traps and/or the fur they hold. My thought process was, why would I want to waste my time and money trying to do something that some ignorant person would ruin for me. Due to this I think many people shy away from trapping today. Just this season I have heard many talking of their traps being stolen. I have a friend who had a coyote, drag, and trap stolen from him.
This brings us to the importance of reporting trap theft or tampering. This is a very important topic I think. Some people have the thought cross their mind that if someone steals from them instead of reporting it and going through the proper authorities they would take issues into their own hands. This, although sounding good, is a fallacy that makes trapping a bad taste in some people’s mouths. I say this because not only does it seem ignorant to those who have never experienced this type of travesty, but also feeds the fuel of the anti. I am not saying to not voice your opinion and want the thieves to get away with it, but instead voice your opinions and the needs for these types of people to be captured and have the full measure of the law. This is the one and only way to really fight trapping thieves.
Talk with your local authorities to find out the best ways to reach them and document the incidents. Ask them how you can aid in the search for the person that has broken the law. Invest in trail cameras, if you can, and set them up on the most likely spots for thieves to come in to one of your sets. In sense trap the thief not the animal, this of course meaning the use of the trail cameras or decoys in catching the thieves red handed. Keep in mind that the goal is safety for you and safety for others. Thieves are very untrustworthy and you never know if approaching one is a wise move or not. Just think about it you approach the trap thief thinking you have that sucker fish now, and he turns around with a pistol in hand. This can end badly very quickly.
I know that I boast big as well when it comes down to this topic and how I would deal with it, but in the end, who really benefits from us not reporting these actions? The thieves and the antis are the ones who benefit not us. By not going through the proper channels you feed the fire. What we say out of anger on the internet or even in a store or restaurant can be twisted to the advantage of the antis. The thieves are never caught and prosecuted and therefore think it is an accepted form of law breaking. This makes it so they want to do it again. How are trap line thieves supposed to be caught if no officials know? So next time you have someone steal from you on the trap line think about what actions you should really take. Also be patient with the officials, and help not hinder their work. Last but not least press your state trapping associations into trying to get the punishments for trap line thieves bigger and the attention officials give this lawlessness as much as any other crime.
I have heard countless stories since I was a child about trap thieves. My father used to trap all the time when he was a child and always wanted me to do it. I would show interest in it every now and then, but then shy away due to the stories of people stealing traps and/or the fur they hold. My thought process was, why would I want to waste my time and money trying to do something that some ignorant person would ruin for me. Due to this I think many people shy away from trapping today. Just this season I have heard many talking of their traps being stolen. I have a friend who had a coyote, drag, and trap stolen from him.
This brings us to the importance of reporting trap theft or tampering. This is a very important topic I think. Some people have the thought cross their mind that if someone steals from them instead of reporting it and going through the proper authorities they would take issues into their own hands. This, although sounding good, is a fallacy that makes trapping a bad taste in some people’s mouths. I say this because not only does it seem ignorant to those who have never experienced this type of travesty, but also feeds the fuel of the anti. I am not saying to not voice your opinion and want the thieves to get away with it, but instead voice your opinions and the needs for these types of people to be captured and have the full measure of the law. This is the one and only way to really fight trapping thieves.
Talk with your local authorities to find out the best ways to reach them and document the incidents. Ask them how you can aid in the search for the person that has broken the law. Invest in trail cameras, if you can, and set them up on the most likely spots for thieves to come in to one of your sets. In sense trap the thief not the animal, this of course meaning the use of the trail cameras or decoys in catching the thieves red handed. Keep in mind that the goal is safety for you and safety for others. Thieves are very untrustworthy and you never know if approaching one is a wise move or not. Just think about it you approach the trap thief thinking you have that sucker fish now, and he turns around with a pistol in hand. This can end badly very quickly.
I know that I boast big as well when it comes down to this topic and how I would deal with it, but in the end, who really benefits from us not reporting these actions? The thieves and the antis are the ones who benefit not us. By not going through the proper channels you feed the fire. What we say out of anger on the internet or even in a store or restaurant can be twisted to the advantage of the antis. The thieves are never caught and prosecuted and therefore think it is an accepted form of law breaking. This makes it so they want to do it again. How are trap line thieves supposed to be caught if no officials know? So next time you have someone steal from you on the trap line think about what actions you should really take. Also be patient with the officials, and help not hinder their work. Last but not least press your state trapping associations into trying to get the punishments for trap line thieves bigger and the attention officials give this lawlessness as much as any other crime.
