Statesman

Issue date: 2/18/09 Section: News

Media Credit: David Cowardin Local trapper Wayne Thom teaches the trapping seminar.

Media Credit: David Cowardin Sophomore Sean Burns protests outside of the trapping class last Wednesday.

As students and community members filed into the Trapping 101 seminar on Wednesday night, protesters were lined up to discourage them from trapping.

The RSOP invited local trapper, Wayne Thom, to lecture on the issues revolving trapping and to lend his expertise to those interested in pursuing the sport. Thom, 64, has been trapping since he was only 8 years old, so those interested in trapping were granted a great opportunity. Not everyone at the seminar was happy; protesters lined up outside of the event holding signs that contained pictures of trapped animals and short sayings of disapproval.

"It doesn't bother me," Thom said. "Everyone has a right to protest and I'm used to it."

The signs were quite blunt and did not tiptoe around the issue. One sign, held by UMD sophomore Sean Burns, displayed three cute raccoons and stated, "Three good reasons not to buy fur." Burns was not attending the event to learn how to trap animals; he was clearly there to speak out against those who were.

"Trapping is a thing of the past," Burns said. "It's a very cruel way of killing animals, and it's not necessary for our survival."

Burns said that he could understand that trapping is a part of Minnesota heritage, but he doesn't think it's necessary now that there are alternative fabrics that don't result in the killing of animals. Thom, however, said that he can "counter anything they say," referring to the protesters. He said that fur is a renewable resource, while oil, which is used to make synthetic fabrics, is not renewable.

"You can argue it each way," Thom said.

Burns was not the only student protesting; Veronica Winterscheidt and Ben Cohen, two seniors from the University of Wisconsin Superior were also among the protesters. Winterscheidt said that she was there to speak for both the targeted animals of trapping and the domestic animals that accidentally get trapped.

"The animals can't speak for themselves," Winterscheidt said, "so we are here to raise awareness."

Burns agreed with Winterscheidt that non-targeted animals, like dogs and cats, get trapped. Aside from the ethical concerns he has for trapping, he also thinks that trapping is a hazard for domestic animals. Thom, however, has a counter argument for Burns' concerns.

"It happens, I can't say it doesn't," Thom said in regards to domestic animals being trapped, "but you have to look after your pets."

Thom recommended putting up a fence so that your dogs or cats don't accidentally get trapped. He has, in the past, killed a dog in one of his traps, but he said the owner of that dog admitted that it shouldn't have ran off.

Chris Anderson, a freshman, said that Thom is a pretty cool guy, and that trapping seems like it would be fun if he only had the time. He came to the event to learn more about the sport since it's part of Minnesota heritage. He agreed with Thom in that pet owners should take more responsibility and look after their animals. He also had his thoughts on the protesters.

"I think they are very narrow-minded," Anderson said.

The trapping debate is a tug-of-war game; both sides register legitimate arguments, which unfortunately leaves peopleunhappy. Thom doesn't plan to stop trapping any time soon; he said it's one of those things he really loves to do. He likes the art of being out in the woods and setting traps in strategic locations.

"I've trapped my whole life; I like trapping," Thom said, "and the law says I can do it."

To learn more about trapping regulations, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) web site.

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