Maine Trapping Lawsuit

In an article Published November 27 in the Kennebec Journal, it was reported that Judge John Woodcock issued a rul­ing that the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIF&W) in Maine must take immediate steps to pre­vent the killing of Canada Lynx by traps, as it apparently occurred earlier this month. One of the Lynx captured was in a conibear. Several Canada Lynx were captured in foot traps and released unharmed, but the animal rights groups the Welfare Alliance, and the Animal Welfare Institute argued that even the use of foot traps was a threat to the species.

The animal rights groups argued that all trapping be suspended in areas the lynx are known to inhabit, but the judge denied that request. Apparently the judge agreed that the capture and release of a lynx in a foothold trap did not constitute a dire threat to lynx populations, but the death of a lynx in a conibear forced the issue. The judge said, "The risk of the current conibear restrictions to some lynx is unarguable."

The effort to stop all trapping in areas where Canada Lynx inhabit has been at the center of the animal rights' groups efforts. Many believe that the Canada Lynx lawsuits in Maine and Minnesota are simply thinly disguised efforts to stop the fur harvest altogether. Judge Woodcock was clear in his position that the evidence submitted did not prove that the use of foothold traps posed a signifi­cant threat to the species, and he did not support any additional regulations on the use of them. The hot button issue resulted from the death of a lynx in a conibear on November 17.

Judge Woodcock will continue to hear arguments on the case brought by the ani­mal rights groups, but additional action seems unlikely this year, as the season ends December 31. USSA, FTA, NTA, and the Maine Trappers Association con­tinue to monitor the situation and are directly involved in the case. – Fur Takers of America

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Originally posted by 33806whelen:
Apparently the judge agreed that the capture and release of a lynx in a foothold trap did not constitute a dire threat to lynx populations, but the death of a lynx in a conibear forced the issue. The judge said, "The risk of the current conibear restrictions to some lynx is unarguable."

So using any other brand of body-gripping trap will be OK? Just not the Conibear brand? Or has the use of the word conibear become generic like kleenex?

I cannot stand how these people can keep coming back at us. I could ramble on about who are you to push your "morals" on us and what not but I will spare you that.
When I got my news letter talking about this I almost had my local rep on the phone. I know this has been going on for years but just because I m new doesn't mean it wont make me upset.
I need to get permission from my shooting club in Anson to rid the range of the beaver. We cannot walk to the 200yd mark because the beavers damned it up.