Montana Woods N Water May 2016 Print Edition | Page 6

TRAPPING

Trappers Meeting Summary – by Paul C Fielder
Interested trappers in Region 1 met with Montana FW&P Biologists
April 16th in Kalispell to talk about the past season and upcoming
year. About 22 people attended, plus MFW&P biologists Tim Thier
and Neil Anderson. We reviewed, cussed and discussed harvest
data and quota closing dates for bobcat, otter, fisher, marten, and
wolves. MFW&P shared some good information in table & graph
format.
The majority voted to concur with MFW&P to keep the bobcat
quota at 275 bobcats, even though Region 1 reaches its quota
within the first 25-27 days of the 2 ½ month season.. The
attendees disagreed with MFW&P about reducing the fisher quota
from 2 to zero, and instead they recommended to keep that quota
at 2 fishers for Region 1. The attendees discussed the abundance
of otters in Region 1 and agreed with MFW&P’s recommendation
an increase in the otter quota in region 1 from 23 to 28 otters. The
wolf harvest from Region 1 was equally split with 35 wolves taken
by hunting and 35 taken by trapping. Region 1 accounted for a
third of the 210 wolves harvested in the state this past season and
almost half of the 73 wolves trapped in Montana.
We discussed a need for a legislative change regarding a rule that
requires notification of all residences within 1,000 feet of set traps.
The suggestion was that private property be exempted from that
notification requirement and that it should only apply to traps set
on public land.
Paul Fielder, as MTA District 1 Director, officially notified MFW&P that new legislation similar to SB334 would probably be brought again in
the next legislative session. The notification asked the MFW&P Region 1 office to notify the Helena office of the coming legislation so they
can’t say it surprised them and asked for identification of the “unknown and unintended consequences” which the MFW&P attorney said
that legislation might cause. SB334 would have defined GAME ANIMALS as including big game animals, upland game birds, migratory game
birds, and furbearers. We want to protect our harvest heritage.
VP-West, Jason Maxwell, discussed the upcoming NTA Regional meeting that the MTA is
hosting at the Missoula Fairgrounds May 20 & 21. Paul discussed the upcoming election
season and the value of being knowledgeable about candidates and their positions on issues
relating to trappers. Paul offered a “voter’s cheat sheet” that listed candidates in Region 1
which supported and opposed trapping bills HB212 and SB334 during the past legislative
session and who trappers can count on again.
Dan Helterline, of Plains Montana, was nominated for the exalted position of Montana
Trappers Association District 1 Director and was unanimously elected. Paul Fielder and Dave
Wallace will stay involved as sub-directors. MTA should maintain a strong presence for
trappers in Region 1.
Dan Helterline aka “Montana Dan” sporting his new wolf coat is your new MTA District 1 Director.
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