New York State is one of the nation’s top producers of wild furs for the commercial fur trade. New York City remains a center for the production and marketing of fur garments.
Trapping provides important benefits to New Yorkers including: the control of nuisance damage, economic benefits to trappers and people involved in the fur industry, and recreation to trappers.
The 14 species of furbearing animals in New York are abundant and their populations are secure. DEC regulates trapping seasons to ensure the continued security of New York’s furbearer populations.
For many in the hunting/conservation worlds, the announcement of Arkansas’ predator permit is a double edged sword. While the permit allows for a restoration of wildlife balance, it also raises concerns with the socially perceived wanton waste of natural resources - the furbearers themselves.
For this reason, the Game and Fish Commission is examining the possibility of connecting predator control permit holders with registered fur trappers. When a raccoon, coyote or other permitted animal is killed, the permit holder could then transfer the animal to a fur trapper who can then utilize marketable portions of the animal - such as glands and hides. This method tends to only be feasible during the colder months, when fur trappers are active, and the hides from fur-bearing animals are prime enough to exhibit usable value.
California has become the first state in the country to ban fur trapping statewide. Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he signed the legislative bill into law, making it illegal to trap animals for the regulated sale of their hides.
Trapping provides an income for thousands of outdoorsmen and women. It can be supplemental income for youngsters in school. Fur sales add millions of dollars to the economy.
Trappers also help property owners avoid damage to their land. Trapping is an efficient method of controlling furbearers who have become a nuisance. Oversize populations of furbearers can cause severe damage to the vegetation. A marsh can become unproductive for other forms of wildlife. Trappers help control animal populations.
In 1991, the European Union (EU) passed Regulation 3254/91, which bans the import of wild fur products derived from 13 wildlife species into the European Union from any country, unless the use of foothold traps were prohibited in said country or trapping methods used in said country meet internationally agreed-upon humane trapping standards. EU Regulation 3254/91 remains in place today, with a total of 19 species listed.
The main purpose, as stated in the agreement, is to lay down “harmonized technical standards” offering a sufficient level of protection to the welfare of trapped animals and regulating both the production and use of animal traps, as well as to facilitate trade between traps, and pelts/products manufactured from species covered by the Agreement. The agreement also seeks to develop an international standardization that scientifically addresses and accounts for animal welfare concerns related to the trapping of furbearers. Whether for pest control, research, disease control, wildlife management or the commercial fur trade - the AIHTS seeks to establish the same scientifically validated standards in all areas where trapping is to take place.
In the American West, beavers are gaining a reputation as environmental engineers who can help restore water systems — and challenge their human neighbors to think differently about land use.
In 1948, game warden and pilot Elmo Heter executed a plan years in the making to reintroduce beavers into the mountainous wilds of Idaho. His plan sounded simple, Idaho Fish & Wildlife professionals would work with skilled trappers to catch nuisance beavers from abundant areas adjacent to mankind, pack them into wooden crates, load them onto an airplane and, whilst tethered to a parachute, drop the sub-aquatic rodents into portions of the wilderness for reintroduction efforts. The crates would burst open on impact, freeing the furry engineers encased inside to roam the wilds of their new abode. "
In all, 76 beavers would complete the trip, with only one documented beaver fatality from the drop, which was due to a lashing failure allowing the beaver to exit the box in mid-air.
