How to trap wild animals safely in Alaska’s Interior

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How to trap wild animals safely in Alaska’s Interior Dec 15, 2020 04:10 ET Original: How to trap wild animals safely in Alaska’s Interior [Reprinted from original] FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - With wildlife trapping in full effect, the Alaska Trappers Association reminds participants how to safely trap in Alaska’s Interior. The largest concern for both trappers and non-trappers is keeping everyone safe and out of harm’s way from any traps placed. “The Trappers Association has a policy that trappers should not be bumping into other users in the winter time, particularly people who are exercising their pets and that sort of thing. So we suggest that in areas where there might be conflicts that trappers stay at least 150 feet away from trailheads and trails and places that the public might be walking dogs and that sort of thing,” said Pete Buist, Spokesperson for Alaska Trappers Association. Most trapping takes place far enough out of the way to prevent conflict. “They should be staying out of town in the hinterlands where conflicts are going to be minimal - not to say that there aren’t any. Now that said, there are ways to trap certain fur-bearers that are not inconsistent with being in the middle of town. For example, trapping beavers under the ice in Chena River is not a threat to anybody’s poodle. So that’s something that could occur without causing conflicts,” said Buist. While trappers are responsible for keeping their traps a safe distance away from any trails that attract foot traffic, part of the responsibility also lies with trail-goers keeping their animals on leashes to prevent accidents. “Problem of course is that while there are trappers who don’t obey the law or even pay attention to common sense, there are pet owners who do the same thing. There are folks who are not paying any attention to borough leash laws and that sort of thing, and that’s where we run into problems - trappers trapping in areas where they probably shouldn’t, and pet owners letting pets run free instead of paying attention to the leash law,” said Buist. For more information, visit the Alaska Trappers Association website as well as the Department of Fish and Game website Adfg.alaska.gov.

How to trap wild animals safely in Alaska’s Interior Dec 15, 2020 04:10 ET Original: How to trap wild animals safely in Alaska’s Interior [Reprinted from original] FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - With wildlife trapping in full effect, the Alaska Trappers Association reminds participants how to safely trap in Alaska’s Interior. The largest concern for both trappers and non-trappers is keeping everyone safe and out of harm’s way from any traps placed. “The Trappers Association has a policy that trappers should not be bumping into other users in the winter time, particularly people who are exercising their pets and that sort of thing. So we suggest that in areas where there might be conflicts that trappers stay at least 150 feet away from trailheads and trails and places that the public might be walking dogs and that sort of thing,” said Pete Buist, Spokesperson for Alaska Trappers Association. Most trapping takes place far enough out of the way to prevent conflict. “They should be staying out of town in the hinterlands where conflicts are going to be minimal - not to say that there aren’t any. Now that said, there are ways to trap certain fur-bearers that are not inconsistent with being in the middle of town. For example, trapping beavers under the ice in Chena River is not a threat to anybody’s poodle. So that’s something that could occur without causing conflicts,” said Buist. While trappers are responsible for keeping their traps a safe distance away from any trails that attract foot traffic, part of the responsibility also lies with trail-goers keeping their animals on leashes to prevent accidents. “Problem of course is that while there are trappers who don’t obey the law or even pay attention to common sense, there are pet owners who do the same thing. There are folks who are not paying any attention to borough leash laws and that sort of thing, and that’s where we run into problems - trappers trapping in areas where they probably shouldn’t, and pet owners letting pets run free instead of paying attention to the leash law,” said Buist. For more information, visit the Alaska Trappers Association website as well as the Department of Fish and Game website Adfg.alaska.gov.