Know the benefits of animal trapping

By Randall Stoeberl, Spring Creek

Monday, March 24, 2014 | 2:01 a.m.

Trapping is beneficial for all fur-bearing animal populations. Data obtained from the carcasses of these animals are recorded and used in population modeling.

Trapping regulations in Nevada should not be changed because of the valuable information obtained.

Population modeling takes many factors into account. It is a formula of numbers and computations that include habitat acres, adult male to adult female ratios, adult to juvenile ratios, litters per adult female, litter sizes, litter success rates, and incidental mortality.

The most accurate, efficient and inexpensive manner in which to garner most of what a biologist needs for that model comes from the animal carcass.

There has never been an instance where modern, regulated trapping has been a detriment to a species.

Changing trapping laws in Nevada could cause population explosions. Coyotes, cougars, foxes, bobcats and others may become heavily dependent on feeding on human garbage and pets.

Research shows that coyotes living in urban areas in close proximity to people did have a higher rate of human-related foods found in their scat, including domestic cat.

With the addition of shopping malls and cookie-cutter housing developments, urbanites have decided to protect their newly constructed investments by making up all kinds of urban laws that they think we need to live by. Many of these new laws include outlawing trapping and implementing shooting buffers near our homes.

These laws seem sensible enough to protect us at the time, but as the old saying goes, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”