Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Rally against trapping amendment

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I am disappointed to learn that the Idaho Legislature is putting a constitutional amendment (HJR2) on the ballot this November to guarantee forever the rights of Idahoans to hunt, fish, and trap.

While most people in Idaho are not opposed to hunting and fishing, many do not support trapping. This Constitutional amendment has included hunting and fishing in order to enlist the support of those that hunt and fish. They know that protecting just the ability to trap animals would never stand on its own, as trapping is a cruel way to kill animals.

An animal caught in a leg-hold trap can suffer for days trying to wrench itself free before the trapper comes back to kill it. About 40,000 fur-bearing animals die in Idaho this way every winter. This amendment would take away the ability of regular citizens to ever bring forth a citizens' initiative regarding wildlife issues. That is why Idaho has the initiative process—to allow average citizens to bring an issue to the vote of the people.

Do not forever prohibit our right to make wildlife decisions in Idaho. The professional biologists at the Idaho Fish and Game Department are far better suited to decide what is the best way to manage our wildlife. Amending our constitution to guarantee the right to trap animals is a misuse of the constitutional amendment process. Idaho hunters pride themselves in fair chase in their sport. How fair is it to kill an animal in a trap that is unable to get away? Defeat of this amendment would not change the right to hunt and fish in Idaho. If you are interested in assisting to help defeat this amendment, please visit Idahoans Against Trapping website at iatvoteno.org and help us to protect our wildlife and our Constitution.

Kathy Richmond

Clayton

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