Monthly Archives: September 2014

ARE WILD HORSES AND BURROS “TRASHING” NEVADA’S WILDLIFE HABITAT? APPARENTLY NOT!! SOME FACTS TO CONSIDER.

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Laura Bies, Director of Government Affairs

The Wildlife Society

5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 200

Bethesda, Maryland  20814-2144 

Regarding:  TWS publication:  FERAL HORSES:  GET THE FACTS 

Dear Ms Bies 

Recently, a friend sent me your above-referenced 4-page article which I’d not seen before.  Though there is no date or authorship designated, it appears that the piece was probably issued within the past 3-4 years. 

Though the Wildlife Society touts its members professional credentials early on as the authority on this matter, claiming as an organization to purse the “highest standards” and be “committed to science-based policy”, it struck me as odd that TWS used the term, “Feral” in the title instead of “Wild Horse” which is, of course,  the legal designation for many of the horses living full-time on public lands in the West.  continue reading 

VERIFIED COMPLAINT AND FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

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VERIFIED COMPLAINT AND FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

COMES NOW Plaintiffs/Petitioners above named, as and for their complaint against Defendants/Respondents, allege as follows:

  1. NRS 501.100 provides:

Wildlife in this State not domesticated and in its natural habitat is part of the natural resources belonging to the people of the State of Nevada.

The preservation, protection, management and restoration of wildlife within the State contribute immeasurably to the aesthetic, recreational and economic aspects of these natural resources.

Continue to read the Injunctive Relief (.pdf version)

Trapping Myth No. 5: Trapping controls the spread of disease

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Trappers play on the public’s fear of rabies and other diseases by arguing that trapping is necessary to control the spread of disease – but there’s no science behind this claim. The Centers for Disease Control, the National Academy of Sciences, and the World Health Organization, as well as many other scientific, public health, and veterinary organizations, disagree with trappers’ claims. The National Academy of Sciences subcommittee on rabies concluded that, “Persistent trapping or poisoning campaigns as a means to rabies control should be abolished. There is no evidence that these costly and politically attractive programs reduce either wildlife reservoirs or rabies incidence. The money can be better spent on research, vaccination, compensation to stockmen for losses, education and warning systems.”

Rather, trapping can actually increase the spread of disease.  By removing mature animals who have acquired immunity to disease, trappers make room for newcomers who may not be immune. In addition, animals infected with rabies do not eat during the latter stages of the disease, and therefore do not respond to baited traps. Hence, traps set in an area infected with rabies will more than likely capture healthy animals rather than infected animals, thereby increasing the likelihood that the disease will spread.

Pictures of Traps

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Nevada Wildlife Commission Sued about trapping issues

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Reno, Nevada

August 28, 2014

A lawsuit was filed today in Reno, Nevada against the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners by Nevada residents, Mark Smith and Don Molde, claiming the Commission has failed to protect animals, birds and domestic pets from private fur trappers.

According to information collected by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, many thousands of unintended or “non-target” victims are caught …read on …

Trapping Myth No. 4: Trapping is a required wildlife management tool

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Trappers claim that trapping prevents species from overpopulating and destroying their habitat by removing “surplus” animals from the wild. This simplistic argument, however, belies the dynamics of wildlife populations. First, the term “surplus” as used by trappers is an ecological fallacy.  Every animal, alive or dead, plays an important role in its ecosystem as either predator or prey. Second, available habitat, water and food resources generally limit the size of wildlife populations, much more effectively than human intervention. When a wildlife population approaches the limit that the habitat can sustain — the “carrying capacity” — reproduction and survival decrease because less food is available to each individual, and the population begins to decline. In this way, nature has been regulating itself for millennia without our help.

Trapping generally removes healthy individuals from the population rather than the sick, aged, infirm, or very young animals most often subjected to natural selection. It would be “blind luck” if a trapper were to trap an animal that would have otherwise died of starvation or any other natural cause, so trapping actually works against nature’s selection process.

In truth, trappers are mainly interested in manipulating wildlife populations for their own benefit. State wildlife agencies actively manage populations of furbearers to ensure that there are enough animals for trappers to kill, not to prevent biological overpopulation.

North American Wildlife Model

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Our friend, Steve, raises some important questions about who and what is honored in the North American Wildlife Conservation Model designed for all wildlife and for all people. Take note!

While we appreciate what true sportsman did for wildlife conservation, significant excise tax from guns and ammo also comes from many guns purchased for personal protection such as handguns, or target shooting. In contrast, there is no excise tax on traps.

“The North American Wildlife Conservation Model

The North American Wildlife Conservation Model is the only one of its kind in the world. In the mid-1800’s hunters and anglers realized they needed to set limits in order to protect rapidly disappearing wildlife, and assume responsibility for managing wild habitats. Hunters and anglers were among the first to crusade for wildlife protection and remain some of today’s most important conservation leaders.

History
As early settlers made their way West, North America’s wildlife populations diminished due to market-hunting and habitat loss. Many species were on the brink of extinction. Elk, bison, bighorn sheep, black bears—even whitetail deer—had all but disappeared across the country. Hunters and anglers realized they needed to set limits in order to protect what they loved and assume responsibility for the stewardship of our natural resources.
Hunters like Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell rallied fellow sportsmen. They pushed for hunting regulations and established conservation groups to protect habitat.

Basic Principles
Their efforts are the backbone of the North American Wildlife Conservation Model. The model has two basic principles – that our fish and wildlife belong to all Americans, and that they need to be managed in a way that their populations will be sustained forever.
The principles of the North American Wildlife Conservation Model are explained more fully through a set of guidelines known as the Seven Sisters for Conservation.

Sister #1 – Wildlife is Held in the Public Trust
In North American, natural resources and wildlife on public lands are managed by government agencies to ensure that current and future generations always have wildlife and wild places to enjoy.
Sister #2 – Prohibition on Commerce of Dead Wildlife
Commercial hunting and the sale of wildlife is prohibited to ensure the sustainability of wildlife populations.
Sister #3 – Democratic Rule of Law
Hunting and fishing laws are created through the public process where everyone has the opportunity and responsibility to develop systems of wildlife conservation and use.
Sister #4 – Hunting Opportunity for All
Every citizen has an opportunity, under the law, to hunt and fish in the United States and Canada.
Sister #5 – Non-Frivolous Use
In North America, individuals may legally kill certain wild animals under strict guidelines for food and fur, self-defense and property protection. Laws restrict against the casual killing of wildlife merely for antlers, horns or feathers.
Sister #6 – International Resources
Wildlife and fish migrate freely across boundaries between states, provinces and countries. Working together, the United States and Canada jointly coordinate wildlife and habitat management strategies. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 demonstrates this cooperation between countries to protect wildlife. The Act made it illegal to capture or kill migratory birds, except as allowed by specific hunting regulations.
Sister #7 – Scientific Management
Sound science is essential to managing and sustaining North America’s wildlife and habitats.

Wildlife Funding
Hunters also recognized the need for a significant and sustainable source of funding for wildlife stewardship. In 1937, sportsmen successfully lobbied Congress to pass the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, which put an excise tax on the sale of all sporting arms and ammunition. This was followed in 1950 by the Dingell-Johnson Act, which placed a similar tax on fishing equipment. Today, every time you buy hunting and fishing gear, you contribute to this fund. It generates upwards of 700 million dollars every year. This money has been used far and wide to conserve America’s key wildlife habitat. When you combine funding from the excise tax with the state license and tag sales sportsmen pay each year, it constitutes the majority of funding for wildlife in North America. It’s not just funding for huntable wildlife, but for ALL wildlife.
( Source: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)

“A small number of pets…..”

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The term “Non target species” is a euphemism used by trappers and includes your CAT or DOG, as well as working dogs (hunting, herding, etc). How serious is the problem of domestic pets getting trapped and injured?  “A SMALL number of pet dogs are caught in traps set for wild animals every year….” (from the Nevada Trappers Association webpage.)

“Trappers tell me they trap dogs ALL THE TIME but usually claim none are injured.” NV Dept of Wildlife game warden

“Every person I know has either had a dog trapped or knows someone who has.” Reno resident

Trappers are required to submit reports for all of their trapped animals; over a 8-year period, about 30% never filed such reports, 50% filed reports claiming they never caught any non-target species. The remaining 20% (actually probably fewer) produced jaw-dropping numbers of non-target species caught. Nevada Department of Wildlife records suggest that thousands of non-target animals are trapped every decade. While many are rabbits, pack rats, ravens and other animals, domestic pets, both cats and dogs, probably number in the 100’s over a decade. Is that a SMALL number, as the trapper’s association claims? Or do you think that the Commission has a legal and moral responsibility to take action to protect such animals and reduce those numbers.

Keeping your dog safe from traps

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Here are some simple, effective instructions for saving your pet from a leg-hold trap:  Trail Safe.  Trail Safe is also an excellent source for all trapping-related information.  If you’re not already a member of Trail Safe, please join!  While NRWM is not affiliated with Trail Safe we fully support their excellent work at making our trails safe for our pets and children.

And here is an excellent video about how to keep your dog safe when hiking or hunting provided by Outside Magazine. In Nevada most trapping is in the fall and winter, so be especially careful when you’re out during these seasons.   And traps are often set on or adjacent to trails, since many animals use the same trails we use.  Traps cannot legally be baited, but they can be scented, which is just as effective and the scents are designed to bring animals – including your dog – into the trap!