Animal rights charity PETA killed
almost 90 per cent of dogs and cats placed in the care of the shelter at
its Virginia headquarters last year, it has been revealed today.
The
charity, well-known for attention grabbing publicity campaigns such as
the 'I'd rather go naked' anti-fur campaign, euthanized 1,647 cats and
dogs last year and only placed 19 in new homes. Read the story here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2296572/PETA-killed-1-600-cats-dogs-Virginia-headquarters-year--90-animals-handed-charitys-American-shelter.html#ixzz2ODpr0Ng6
Welcome!
More Hate Mail Blather
Here's a tip to you animal rights people who love to send me hate mail: try to have a coherent point to your argument rather than just senseless, emotional drivel.
Someone named "Miren" sent the following:
"I would like to let you know that your website is absolutely cruel and promotes animal suffering. It shows no empathy towards the agony animals must experienced when trapped in those horrible torture devices. And do you call it a sport??? You must be sick. Animal Freedom!!!!"
Miren and his kind have absolutely no clue what they are talking about. The traps we use are very humane, inflict no pain on animals, and are anything but "torture devices." Anti-trappers, like gun-grabbers and all liberals, love to preach to us about things concerning which they have no experience. Ask an anti-gun liberal what a muzzle brake is, or a flash suppressor, or barrel shroud, and you'll see what I mean. They don't know what they are, but they want to ban them. It's the same situation with anti-trappers. Ask them the difference between a foothold, a conibear and a dog-proof and they will respond with a blank stare. All they know is they are "torture devices" and must be banned. Get a clue, please. If you are so against something, you should at least know what that something is and how it works.
"Animal freedom" is your battle cry? You people have seen too many Disney movies, and are really deluded into thinking that animals are just little people in fur coats. Newsflash: No trapper promotes animal cruelty, but animals are in fact a lesser life form than humans. Do you swat flies in your house, Miren? If so you're a hypocrite.
It's hard for me to believe that some people are so worried about "animal freedom" when our human freedoms are routinely assaulted by liberals bent on destroying the Bill of Rights. It's usually the same people who preach animal freedom that love to curtail human freedom with oppressive, nanny-state government.
Thanks, Miren, for proving my point once again that all the animal rights crowd has in their repertoire is uninformed, emotional drivel.
Someone named "Miren" sent the following:
"I would like to let you know that your website is absolutely cruel and promotes animal suffering. It shows no empathy towards the agony animals must experienced when trapped in those horrible torture devices. And do you call it a sport??? You must be sick. Animal Freedom!!!!"
Miren and his kind have absolutely no clue what they are talking about. The traps we use are very humane, inflict no pain on animals, and are anything but "torture devices." Anti-trappers, like gun-grabbers and all liberals, love to preach to us about things concerning which they have no experience. Ask an anti-gun liberal what a muzzle brake is, or a flash suppressor, or barrel shroud, and you'll see what I mean. They don't know what they are, but they want to ban them. It's the same situation with anti-trappers. Ask them the difference between a foothold, a conibear and a dog-proof and they will respond with a blank stare. All they know is they are "torture devices" and must be banned. Get a clue, please. If you are so against something, you should at least know what that something is and how it works.
"Animal freedom" is your battle cry? You people have seen too many Disney movies, and are really deluded into thinking that animals are just little people in fur coats. Newsflash: No trapper promotes animal cruelty, but animals are in fact a lesser life form than humans. Do you swat flies in your house, Miren? If so you're a hypocrite.
It's hard for me to believe that some people are so worried about "animal freedom" when our human freedoms are routinely assaulted by liberals bent on destroying the Bill of Rights. It's usually the same people who preach animal freedom that love to curtail human freedom with oppressive, nanny-state government.
Thanks, Miren, for proving my point once again that all the animal rights crowd has in their repertoire is uninformed, emotional drivel.
What's Right About Trapping
I have been a trapper for many years and along the way I have learned quite a bit about this sport. It is among the most challenging and rewarding of all outdoor sports, and an important tool of wildlife conservation. I'd like to outline some of the basic reasons why trapping is important and how it is often misunderstood.
First, trapping is often misunderstood and misrepresented. Animal rights activist have targeted this sport for its supposed cruelty, and many folks who have no experience with trapping seem to have false notions of it. People envision suffering animals caught in steel-toothed traps and dying a slow death. Really, this is a grave misconception. Animals caught in foothold traps (the proper term) rarely suffer any damage or pain and can be released unharmed if the trapper so desires. I know; I have done this many times. In fact I have arrived at a number of trap sets only to find an animal sleeping, clearly not in any pain. I'm embarrassed to say that I have caught my fingers many times in foothold traps. My pride was hurt, but my fingers were fine. The idea that trapping is cruel and painful to animals is the biggest misconception surrounding this sport.
The second misconception is that trapping is unnecessary. Furbearer populations need to be kept in check for many reasons, most of all to ensure a healthy population. Overpopulation of species like raccoons and foxes invariably leads to the spread of ravaging diseases like mange, distemper and rabies. I believe we have a responsibility as stewards of our environment to manage the population of furbearers in order to keep them healthy, maintain their population levels to suit the available habitat, and to avoid human-animal conflict as much as possible. This is basic, responsible conservation.
Fur is an important commodity in the clothing industry, especially in Eastern Europe, Russia and China, where winters are bitter cold and fur is still culturally acceptable. Furtakers in the U.S. typically sell their pelts to auction houses who in turn sell them to garment makers overseas. While fur garments are less popular in the U.S., other people groups consider them a necessity, and I don't believe that we should be judgmental toward the customs and clothing of other cultures. Still, consider how much we also depend on animal products for our garments and accessories in the U.S. I once talked to a woman who angrily told me how cruel and unnecessary it was to use animal products for clothing purposes while all the while she had a leather purse slung over her shoulder. I just smiled. In her mind, leather products just came from the department store, and she clearly gave no thought to the matter beyond that.
First, trapping is often misunderstood and misrepresented. Animal rights activist have targeted this sport for its supposed cruelty, and many folks who have no experience with trapping seem to have false notions of it. People envision suffering animals caught in steel-toothed traps and dying a slow death. Really, this is a grave misconception. Animals caught in foothold traps (the proper term) rarely suffer any damage or pain and can be released unharmed if the trapper so desires. I know; I have done this many times. In fact I have arrived at a number of trap sets only to find an animal sleeping, clearly not in any pain. I'm embarrassed to say that I have caught my fingers many times in foothold traps. My pride was hurt, but my fingers were fine. The idea that trapping is cruel and painful to animals is the biggest misconception surrounding this sport.
The second misconception is that trapping is unnecessary. Furbearer populations need to be kept in check for many reasons, most of all to ensure a healthy population. Overpopulation of species like raccoons and foxes invariably leads to the spread of ravaging diseases like mange, distemper and rabies. I believe we have a responsibility as stewards of our environment to manage the population of furbearers in order to keep them healthy, maintain their population levels to suit the available habitat, and to avoid human-animal conflict as much as possible. This is basic, responsible conservation.
Fur is an important commodity in the clothing industry, especially in Eastern Europe, Russia and China, where winters are bitter cold and fur is still culturally acceptable. Furtakers in the U.S. typically sell their pelts to auction houses who in turn sell them to garment makers overseas. While fur garments are less popular in the U.S., other people groups consider them a necessity, and I don't believe that we should be judgmental toward the customs and clothing of other cultures. Still, consider how much we also depend on animal products for our garments and accessories in the U.S. I once talked to a woman who angrily told me how cruel and unnecessary it was to use animal products for clothing purposes while all the while she had a leather purse slung over her shoulder. I just smiled. In her mind, leather products just came from the department store, and she clearly gave no thought to the matter beyond that.
Trapping is a sport with a magnificent heritage. The West was explored and settled by the great "Mountain Men" of the early 19th century, and it was trapping that lead them to discover and cultivate those uncharted lands. Even today, trapping is one of the most challenging of all outdoor sports. A trapper must be an excellent woodsman, know how to scout for animal signs, read their habitats, and interpret patterns of animal movement and behavior, all to guide him to the precise location where the animal will step! Trapping is the greatest challenge for any sportsman, especially going after a wary species like the coyote.
That brings me to trappers themselves. It's a small but dedicated group, and I mean dedicated. You will rarely find a half-hearted trapper. Many of them enjoy the sport to the fullest. I have attended several state and national trappers conventions and I am impressed at how kind, friendly and down to earth trappers are. They are family-oriented, working class people who are always ready to help, love to chat, and keep friends for life. I'm proud to be part of this group, and I'm not ashamed of our sport or our way of life. Some folks may not like trapping for whatever reason, and some may not really understand it, but I'm thankful that this long-established sport still has a place in the American landscape.
That brings me to trappers themselves. It's a small but dedicated group, and I mean dedicated. You will rarely find a half-hearted trapper. Many of them enjoy the sport to the fullest. I have attended several state and national trappers conventions and I am impressed at how kind, friendly and down to earth trappers are. They are family-oriented, working class people who are always ready to help, love to chat, and keep friends for life. I'm proud to be part of this group, and I'm not ashamed of our sport or our way of life. Some folks may not like trapping for whatever reason, and some may not really understand it, but I'm thankful that this long-established sport still has a place in the American landscape.
PETA Hypocrisy
The animal rights wackos are being exposed for the hypocrites they are. According to PETA's own documentation, they kill more than 95% of the animals in their care. The full article can be found at the link below, but here's a quote:
Documents published online this month show that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an organization known for its uncompromising animal-rights positions, killed more than 95 percent of the pets in its care in 2011.
The documents, obtained from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, were published online by the Center for Consumer Freedom, a non-profit organization that runs online campaigns targeting groups that antagonize food producers.
Fifteen years’ worth of similar records show that since 1998 PETA has killed more than 27,000 animals at its headquarters in Norfolk, VA.
In a February 16 statement, the Center said PETA killed 1,911 cats and dogs last year, finding homes for only 24 pets.
“PETA hasn’t slowed down its slaughterhouse operation,” said Rick Berman, CCF’s executive director. “It appears PETA is more concerned with funding its media and advertising antics than finding suitable homes for these dogs and cats.”
In a statement, Berman added that PETA has a $37 million dollar annual budget.
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/24/documents-peta-kills-more-than-95-percent-of-pets-in-its-care/#ixzz1nPI9i2ii
A Salute to the Lowly Grinner
Almost nobody tries to catch them, and nearly every trapper hates them, but somehow we end up with them in set after set. They are the ultimate "non-target" catch. Yeah, I hate when they ruin a good fox or 'coon set, but here's my take on the lowly grinner: they are the ultimate survivors of the woods.
Think about it: these ugly little critters turn up everywhere. The woods must be teeming with them, maybe because those higher on the food chain can't stand to eat them, just as many trappers can't stand to skin them. They remind me of Gonzo on the Muppets, except not quite as friendly, and that's another thing. For their size they sure are feisty, combative, and love to show those teeth. I'd hate to get bitten by one. They are butt-ugly too. Seems like the Lord showed a sense of humor when creating them. Killing something so ugly just seems to add insult to injury.
They must have an excellent sense of smell because they sure can sniff out my dirt hole sets better (or quicker) than the 'coons seem to be able to. When you let them go (if you let them go) they seem like they want to stay and fight rather than run away. Gotta give 'em credit for that. They ain't scared, or if they are, they don't let on.
I have a new respect for grinners. The last few I caught I just gave them a salute, let 'em go, and remade my set. I have decided to co-exist in peace with the lowly grinner, the ultimate survivor of the woods.
Duke DP Update
Hi folks. I mentioned in a previous post that I've been fooling around with Duke dog proof traps for the first time this season. I've just sprinkled them in along my 'coon line here and there alongside my usual spread of foothold traps, just to see how they compare in terms of ease of use, catch rate, etc.
It takes literally no time at all to punch in a set with a DP trap compared to making a traditional dirt hole or trail set with a foothold. I'm amazed at how much easier it is. While a few of my dirt hole sets got washed out by heavy rain, the DP's stayed perfectly operational. Also, I experienced no pull-outs with the DP traps.
Just as a little experiment I made a few 'coon sets side-by-side: a dirt hole set with tuna as bait and a DP trap with marshmallows as bait. So far the DP trap / marshmallow bait combination has outperformed my dirt holes.
I see no downsides to the Duke DP traps so far, and if they keep performing this way I may just use them exclusively on my 'coon line next year.
Best wishes, and tight chains!
It takes literally no time at all to punch in a set with a DP trap compared to making a traditional dirt hole or trail set with a foothold. I'm amazed at how much easier it is. While a few of my dirt hole sets got washed out by heavy rain, the DP's stayed perfectly operational. Also, I experienced no pull-outs with the DP traps.
Just as a little experiment I made a few 'coon sets side-by-side: a dirt hole set with tuna as bait and a DP trap with marshmallows as bait. So far the DP trap / marshmallow bait combination has outperformed my dirt holes.
I see no downsides to the Duke DP traps so far, and if they keep performing this way I may just use them exclusively on my 'coon line next year.
Best wishes, and tight chains!
Attaching Trap Tags
Here's a tip for attaching your trap identification tags so that they won't fall off or get torn off by an angry 'coon. A kindly old trapper taught me this little trick.
Curl up one of the ends of the copper trap tag using long-nosed pliers, like this:
Hook the curled end of the tag around a link of chain, like this:
Using your fingers, roll up the tag around the chain link:
Finally, once you've rolled it up as far as you can with your fingers, use your pliers to crimp down the end of the tag so it is rolled up tightly:
Then just boil your traps with the tags attached like this. They will turn dark and blend in with the chain.
Curl up one of the ends of the copper trap tag using long-nosed pliers, like this:
Hook the curled end of the tag around a link of chain, like this:
Finally, once you've rolled it up as far as you can with your fingers, use your pliers to crimp down the end of the tag so it is rolled up tightly:
Then just boil your traps with the tags attached like this. They will turn dark and blend in with the chain.
Duke Dog Proof Traps
The Duke dog proof traps came out over a year ago, and they seemed to cause quite a stir of conversation on trapping blogs and forums. Why? Because, like all Duke traps, they are more economical than most of the competitors. Dog proof traps ain't cheap, and to purchase a respectable number of them is a sizable investment. The new Duke DP's were initially looked upon with suspicion by most, precisely because they are quite a bit cheaper than similar offerings by other companies. However, after finally acquiring a few of my own for testing this year, so far I have found them to be of very good quality.
I have used foothold traps exclusively for years, but decided to expand my horizons a bit and add a dozen Duke dogproof traps into the mix this season. Besides the obvious advantage of cutting down on non-target catches, my main motivation for trying DP's is to keep my 'coon line running after the weather hits that freeze-thaw seesaw. Keeping footholds freeze-proof can be done, obviously, but I personally find it to be a pain in the butt. A self-contained, above ground trap offers many advantages when the weather goes bad. So, that's part of my plan for this season.
Here's a Duke dog proof trap out of the box:
Here's another view:
One thing I like is the sturdy stabilizing stake on the bottom of the trap. After anchoring the trap from the chain with a rebar or cable stake, the trap can simply be pushed into the ground and stabilized in the upright position. The springs are VERY strong on these traps right out of the box. The trigger inside the tube of the trap is activated by being pulled, so bait is placed on the trigger itself and/or below the trigger at the bottom of the trap tube. These pictures show the trigger within the tube and the trap in the set position:
The only modification I made was to shorten the chain and add a mid-chain swivel. I don't see the need for so much chain on the stock trap, and you can never have enough swivel action to keep the 'coons from twisting out of the trap or damaging a foot. Here's my slightly modified trap chain:
I'll post some results once I get these traps in action. I'm waiting until mid-November until our Pennsylvania raccoons are prime. If you have any tips or experiences to share regarding these traps, I'd love to hear from you!
I have used foothold traps exclusively for years, but decided to expand my horizons a bit and add a dozen Duke dogproof traps into the mix this season. Besides the obvious advantage of cutting down on non-target catches, my main motivation for trying DP's is to keep my 'coon line running after the weather hits that freeze-thaw seesaw. Keeping footholds freeze-proof can be done, obviously, but I personally find it to be a pain in the butt. A self-contained, above ground trap offers many advantages when the weather goes bad. So, that's part of my plan for this season.
Here's a Duke dog proof trap out of the box:
Here's another view:
One thing I like is the sturdy stabilizing stake on the bottom of the trap. After anchoring the trap from the chain with a rebar or cable stake, the trap can simply be pushed into the ground and stabilized in the upright position. The springs are VERY strong on these traps right out of the box. The trigger inside the tube of the trap is activated by being pulled, so bait is placed on the trigger itself and/or below the trigger at the bottom of the trap tube. These pictures show the trigger within the tube and the trap in the set position:
Gettin' Ready (And a Shout Out for Minnesota Trapline Products)
Hi folks. I know it has been quiet around here lately, but with the season just around the corner there will be a lot more activity here on TSR.
I love this time of year...cleaning out the fur shed, getting my gear ready and enjoying the cool weather. It's amazing how much there is to do to get ready for a new trapping season, but tinkering around in my fur shed is one of life's small pleasures.
I ordered a few supplies, including a few of the Duke dog-proof traps that I plan to experiment with this year. I'm not so concerned about non-target catches in the places I trap...I'm more interested in trap sets that will remain operational when the weather hits that freeze-thaw stage. Weatherproofing foothold sets can be a real headache, so I thought I'd seriously try some dog-proof traps this year. Being self-contained with the ability to set them above ground, it seems like dog-proof traps will be just the ticket in the colder months when footholds get tricky to use. I'll be experimenting, and I'll be sure to post some reviews of the Duke DP traps along the way. I've only used footholds for years, so it's time to try something new.
I also thought I'd mention the great service I got from the Caven family at Minnesota Trapline Products. I've made plenty of orders with them before, and they never disappoint. I placed an order on Monday, it shipped the same day and I received it on Wednesday (in Pittsburgh, PA). Besides quick shipping, they have a great selection of products (anything you could ever need, really) and competitive prices. I've ordered things from other places, and have generally had good experiences, but I can't think of any reason to use another online supply company besides Minnesota Trapline Products. They're top notch.
Well, I wish you all the best as you gear up for a new season. If you'd like to contribute anything to the site, like a review, a trapping tip, pictures or just a good story, please send me an email. Your contributions are always welcome!!!
Best wishes, and tight chains!
C.J.
I love this time of year...cleaning out the fur shed, getting my gear ready and enjoying the cool weather. It's amazing how much there is to do to get ready for a new trapping season, but tinkering around in my fur shed is one of life's small pleasures.
I ordered a few supplies, including a few of the Duke dog-proof traps that I plan to experiment with this year. I'm not so concerned about non-target catches in the places I trap...I'm more interested in trap sets that will remain operational when the weather hits that freeze-thaw stage. Weatherproofing foothold sets can be a real headache, so I thought I'd seriously try some dog-proof traps this year. Being self-contained with the ability to set them above ground, it seems like dog-proof traps will be just the ticket in the colder months when footholds get tricky to use. I'll be experimenting, and I'll be sure to post some reviews of the Duke DP traps along the way. I've only used footholds for years, so it's time to try something new.
I also thought I'd mention the great service I got from the Caven family at Minnesota Trapline Products. I've made plenty of orders with them before, and they never disappoint. I placed an order on Monday, it shipped the same day and I received it on Wednesday (in Pittsburgh, PA). Besides quick shipping, they have a great selection of products (anything you could ever need, really) and competitive prices. I've ordered things from other places, and have generally had good experiences, but I can't think of any reason to use another online supply company besides Minnesota Trapline Products. They're top notch.
Well, I wish you all the best as you gear up for a new season. If you'd like to contribute anything to the site, like a review, a trapping tip, pictures or just a good story, please send me an email. Your contributions are always welcome!!!
Best wishes, and tight chains!
C.J.
Old School Muskrat Trapping
For example, the introductory sentence:
In placing this booklet before the great fraternity of American trappers, the author does not propose to exercise any pedagogical influence upon the truly professional trapper, who, seasoned in the hard school of experience, knows the animals he is seeking, like a mother knows her child. It is his wish, however, to assist and guide the amateur to a greater success.
Enjoy this little slice of trapping history!
A Pocket Guide to Animal Tracks
Identifying animal tracks is an important skill for the trapper, and a handy guide like this can be a big help if you are new to trapping. This particular guide comes from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Wildlife. You can print it out and stick it in your pack-basket for future reference.
A larger version can be found here.
A larger version can be found here.
Prime Time for Scouting
The season is over, my fur shed is a mess, and I have a long list of things to get to that I neglected during trapping season. It'd be very easy to just wait until Fall to start thinking about trapping again, but for some reason I just can't. Well, you know the reason. Trapping may take place for only a few months a year, but being a trapper you're always a trapper. There's always something to do and some way to keep up the addiction.
I try to build into my schedule some dedicated scouting time each Spring. It's right on the heels of the season so potential trapping spots that I didn't get to this year are still fresh in my mind.
The biggest reason to get out and scout now is that everything hasn't bloomed yet. Once Spring comes in full force the woods will hide its secrets again, but now when the ground is barren it is so much easier to spot scat, tracks and trails. Sure, the animal patterns may well change quite a bit between now and Fall, but scouting now still yields a lot of information that will be useful when next season starts.
I'm mainly out looking for 'coon trails. With barren ground they are much more visible than they will be come Spring. Raccoon trails tend to stay active, and many trails I find in the Spring yield catches in the Fall.
Once I find a trail I just follow it as far as I can, and very often it leads to a den. Out comes my notebook, and I jot down the location. Many dens I know of remain active year after year, so once I find a good den I know the spot will be worth scouting again the next year. If I go into a new piece of woods I often start at the highest point or ridge-line, look for a trail, and follow it as far as it will take me. I'm always on the lookout for rocky overhangs and old piles of debris (concrete, railroad ties, etc) as these tend to be great den areas. When scouting for trails I often scan hillsides with thick grapevines, and look for high ridges with big hardwoods.
With the ground still barren 'coon sign is not hard to find. If it's there, you'll find it, but the best time is right now. When late April and May roll around the woods will hide its secrets again.
If you have any pics to share from last season I'd love to see 'em and post them here. Just click "contact me" in the sidebar and send me an email.
Happy trails!
I try to build into my schedule some dedicated scouting time each Spring. It's right on the heels of the season so potential trapping spots that I didn't get to this year are still fresh in my mind.
The biggest reason to get out and scout now is that everything hasn't bloomed yet. Once Spring comes in full force the woods will hide its secrets again, but now when the ground is barren it is so much easier to spot scat, tracks and trails. Sure, the animal patterns may well change quite a bit between now and Fall, but scouting now still yields a lot of information that will be useful when next season starts.
I'm mainly out looking for 'coon trails. With barren ground they are much more visible than they will be come Spring. Raccoon trails tend to stay active, and many trails I find in the Spring yield catches in the Fall.
Once I find a trail I just follow it as far as I can, and very often it leads to a den. Out comes my notebook, and I jot down the location. Many dens I know of remain active year after year, so once I find a good den I know the spot will be worth scouting again the next year. If I go into a new piece of woods I often start at the highest point or ridge-line, look for a trail, and follow it as far as it will take me. I'm always on the lookout for rocky overhangs and old piles of debris (concrete, railroad ties, etc) as these tend to be great den areas. When scouting for trails I often scan hillsides with thick grapevines, and look for high ridges with big hardwoods.
With the ground still barren 'coon sign is not hard to find. If it's there, you'll find it, but the best time is right now. When late April and May roll around the woods will hide its secrets again.
If you have any pics to share from last season I'd love to see 'em and post them here. Just click "contact me" in the sidebar and send me an email.
Happy trails!
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