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5/01/06

The Association Launches Five New Guides for Trapping Best Management Practices

Washington, DC-(March 7, 2006)- As part of an unprecedented effort to continue to improve trapping programs' "Best Management Practices," a focus on animal welfare, efficiency, selectivity, practicality, and safety, the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies announced the release of five new education guides. "Best Management Practices" are based on the most extensive study of animal traps ever conducted in the United States .

"The development of Best Management Practices for animal traps is a significant milestone in wildlife management, and will lead to the continuing improvement in furbearer management programs throughout the United States ," says Gordon R. Batcheller, Certified Wildlife Biologist with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Fish, Wildlife & Marine Resources. "With the support and involvement of state fish and wildlife agencies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and expert trappers, BMPs define the "state of the art" in animal trapping based on extensive research. The development and use of BMPs by trappers is very important to sustaining furbearer conservation programs throughout the United States ."

The purpose of the Best Management Practices (BMP) process is to scientifically evaluate the traps and trapping systems used for capturing furbearers in the United States . The results of this research serve as a reference guide to wildlife management agencies, conservation organizations, tribal nations, researchers, trapper organizations, individual trappers, and others interested in the continued improvement of traps and trapping systems. The goals of these educational tools are to: Promote regulated trapping as a modern wildlife management tool; Identify practical traps and trapping techniques that continue to improve efficiency, selectivity, and the welfare of trapped animals; Provide specifications for traps that meet BMP criteria for individual species in various regions of the United States; Provide wildlife management professionals with information to evaluate trapping systems in the United States, and; Instill public confidence in, and maintain public support for, wildlife management and trapping through distribution of science-based information.

Trapping BMPs are based on scientific research and professional experience regarding currently available traps and trapping technology. Trapping BMPs identify both techniques and traps that address the welfare of trapped animals and allow for the efficient, selective, safe, and practical capture of furbearers. Trapping BMPs are intended to be a practical tool for trappers, wildlife biologists, wildlife agencies, and anyone interested in improved traps and trapping systems. BMPs include technical recommendations from expert trappers and biologists, and a list of specifications of traps that meet or exceed BMP criteria. BMPs provide options, allowing for discretion and decision-making in the field when trapping furbearers in various regions of the United States . They do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. The suggestions contained in this document include practices, equipment, and techniques that will continue to ensure the welfare of trapped animals, avoid unintended captures of other animals, improve public confidence in trappers and wildlife managers, and maintain public support for trapping and wildlife management.

Trapping is a highly regulated activity. Anyone who traps must follow strict rules established and enforced by state fish and wildlife agencies. Restrictions on species that may be harvested, harvest seasons, trap types, trapping methods, and areas open to trapping are some examples of the guidelines and regulations that state agencies regularly review,

implement, and enforce. Trapping is an element of many wildlife management programs. In some cases, local populations of furbearers are controlled, thereby helping to minimize human-wildlife conflicts and mitigate habitat changes brought about by certain furbearer species.

"Trapping BMPs are the culmination of a tremendous collaborative effort between state fish and wildlife agencies, federal wildlife agencies in the United States and Canada , and state and national trappers associations," says Bryant White, Furbearer Research Coordinator of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. "These documents offer wildlife management programs in the United State science based, field tested recommendations about the state-of-the art in trapping. We are proud to release these BMPs and believe they will be a valuable asset to the continued improvement of the conservation and management of furbearers in the United States ."

Using the proper techniques and equipment mentioned in the BMP guides, trapping has many benefits for wildlife conservation. Trapping contributes to the protection of threatened and endangered species by controlling predators, and is also is used to relocate animals and restore populations in areas where conditions are suitable for the species to thrive. Scientists collect important ecological information about wildlife through the use of trapping. Preferred habitats, migration patterns, and population indices for some species of wildlife are determined through mark and recapture programs and by monitoring regulated harvest levels. In addition, trapping can help reduce the exposure of humans and pets to rabies and other diseases. Trapping is widely recognized by the wildlife conservation community as a beneficial outdoor activity, providing food, clothing, cosmetic items, artists' supplies, and other products.

Wildlife professionals, trappers, and trapper associations historically have worked to improve trapping. Most of the advancements used today come from the efforts of responsible trappers. Wildlife agencies have a long history of regulating trapping to assure that the traps and trapping systems being used are the best available. State fish and wildlife agencies must continue to take a lead role by establishing a practical and effective plan for the improvement of trapping systems in order to maintain trapping as a valuable wildlife management practice. The BMP framework provides a structure and criteria for identifying and documenting trapping methods and equipment that will continue to improve trapping. The trapping BMP project is intended to provide wildlife management professionals in the United States with the data necessary to ensure improved animal welfare in trapping programs.

The guides, which can be found at www.furbearermgmt.org , were created using a collaborative approach that included the work of experts from state and federal wildlife management agencies, expert trappers, and statisticians.