Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A proposal to claw back funds for public media has already passed the House of Representatives. Montana Public Radio and stations across the country receive critical federal funds to strengthen our work. The Senate could vote on the proposal in the coming days. To add your voice in support of Montana Public Radio visit Protect My Public Media.

Should Montana ban trapping on public lands?

Sally Mauk

Opponents of trapping hope to get enough signatures to get Initiative 169 - which would ban trapping on public lands - on the November ballot.
    The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks department reports there are between 5000 and 6000 trapping licenses sold annually. In 2012 those trappers caught 67,000 furbearers - everything from beaver to wolverine. They also, unintentionally, caught an occasional dog, and other non-targeted animals. 

In this feature interview, News Director Sally Mauk talks with Tom Gignoux of the group "Trap Free Montana Public Lands", which is sponsoring the initiative - and Toby Walrath who is president of the Montana Trappers Association.    Walrath is also the author of a book on trapping called "Wild Pride Montana: A Trapper's Journey".

 

Retired in 2014 but still a presence at MTPR, Sally Mauk is a University of Kansas graduate and former wilderness ranger who has reported on everything from the Legislature to forest fires.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information