The question consistently gets asked, where are we with non-resident trapping. I want to remind all that our MTA board is supporting our memberships’ position from the vote taken a few years ago. Below states the ballot that our membership had voted on and MTA supports.
Ballot
The State of Minnesota does not currently allow in-state trapping by non-residents except that non-residents may trap on land they own in Minnesota. A proposal has been brought to the Board of Directors to seek to have the MTA take a position on the issue of in-state trapping by non-residents under certain conditions. The conditions would allow for in-state trapping by non-residents except that non-residents would be limited as follows: (1) non-residents would not be allowed to trap for limited take species which include wolf, marten, fisher otter and bobcat; (2) non-residents could not trap beaver after the end of February each year; and (3) non-residents could not trap the first week of the water season in either North or South Zones.
Randy Goldenman, our legislative representative, has given updated reports to the board and to members through the newsletter. If you follow the reports, you will realize that it’s not favorable to bring to the legislature a law change request when there is a meaningful chance that we could lose other privileges. We have been watching non-favorable amendments being added to bills. In fact, we have been successful, with the assistance of many legislators, in protecting trapping privileges. Frankly, we have not recently had a fully favorable legislature to trappings. Maybe with the upcoming elections our patience will pay off. We need you at the capital on “The Day at the Capital”. Constituents need to talk to their representatives in favor of trapping.
A goal for the MTA is to have unity within the state and with other likeminded outdoor organizations. We are continually striving for co-existence and co-support from other outdoor organizations because we realize the benefits that are the direct result of working together. In October, an MTA Committee met face-to-face with the Minnesota Forest Zone Trapping Association (MFZTA) and had an hour and a half long discussion with their representatives. On the agenda was our MTA mission statement “Helping to perpetuate the Nation’s Oldest Industry-the Fur Trade: Conservation-Education-Outreach”, and a statement from the MFZTA. MTA’s position on nonresident trapping and other observations identified. Much discussion followed. Over the years we have had constant change of leadership and one of the MTA goals for this meeting was to clarify our membership’s position and what the ballot vote entailed. There was a lot of passion shared between both sides. There wasn’t a great deal of ground gained on either side, but the promising outcome was that we talked and intend to meet again as a group. I want to thank the MFZTA for respecting our invitation to meet and it was good to meet their representatives.
Sincerely, President/acting chairperson Brian Fischer
