TRAPPING IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN HUNTING
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Footloose Montana is not opposed to ethical hunting practices. Our organization does not take an official stance on hunting, because we are a coalition of diverse people brought together by one single cause: the opposition to trapping on public lands. Footloose Montana supporters include many hunters and also many non-hunters.
Retrievers and hounds are particularly vulnerable to trapping, especially in wetland habitats. We respect this diversity of lifestyles. We recognize that hunting is a valued and important tradition in Montana and look forward to working with the hunting community to make our public lands trap-free. We look forward to the day when these lands are safer for hunters, for their hunting dogs and for the wildlife they pursue. |
Retrievers and hounds are particularly vulnerable to trapping, especially in wetland habitats.
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TRAPPING IS NOT FAIR CHASE
The five important “Be NICE” differences between trapping and hunting:
BAIT – Baiting is illegal in hunting because it confers an unfair advantage
NON-TARGET CATCH – The first rule of a responsible hunt is to know your target. Trapping is indiscriminate, because a trap cannot be targeted like a rifle can. A trapper never knows or even sees his target.
INHUMANE – we all know trapping is cruel because of the suffering it inflicts. A responsible hunter’s goal is a clean kill. Trappers routinely drown, strangle or crush their victims to preserve the pelt. Traps inflict lasting pain and injury.
COMMERCIALIZATION – Hunters aim to fill their freezer. Trappers turn public wildlife into a commodity and a private gain. This means that a profit interest comes into conflict with preserving populations.
EFFORTLESS – Although trappers do have to put their traps out, there is no chase involved in trapping. Trapping is not Fair Chase.
BAIT – Baiting is illegal in hunting because it confers an unfair advantage
NON-TARGET CATCH – The first rule of a responsible hunt is to know your target. Trapping is indiscriminate, because a trap cannot be targeted like a rifle can. A trapper never knows or even sees his target.
INHUMANE – we all know trapping is cruel because of the suffering it inflicts. A responsible hunter’s goal is a clean kill. Trappers routinely drown, strangle or crush their victims to preserve the pelt. Traps inflict lasting pain and injury.
COMMERCIALIZATION – Hunters aim to fill their freezer. Trappers turn public wildlife into a commodity and a private gain. This means that a profit interest comes into conflict with preserving populations.
EFFORTLESS – Although trappers do have to put their traps out, there is no chase involved in trapping. Trapping is not Fair Chase.
