Recently, The Bulletin ran a letter suggesting that leg-hold traps be banned.

A gentleman had an incident with his dog being trapped on public land while it was unsupervised. This is unfortunate, but the reality of this happening exists.

I am just glad to hear that the dog wasn’t caught in a snare around the neck, which could have been fatal.

Trapping is a part of our heritage as Oregonians. The Oregon beaver is one of the reasons that the Northwest was explored and settled. He was trapped with a leg-hold trap and his pelt was sold.

This brings up an important fact — it is my right as a trapper to free enterprise. I have the right to harvest and manage a renewable resource and sell it for income — be it a coyote, bobcat, beaver, etc. Using a leg-hold trap is an effective way to do this.

By law, leg-hold traps have a mandatory space between the jaws not allowing them to close completely.

This ensures blood flow to the animal’s foot and also makes it safe for other animals to be released, including birds.

There are also leg-hold traps on the market, and in the field, that have rubber-padded jaws.

This padded jaw, or soft-catch trap, allows more comfort for the animal while it is restrained.

Although not in Oregon, in other states, wildlife biologists use leg-hold traps to catch wildlife predators, such as wolves.

There is little or no damage to the animals’ feet because they are processed and then relocated.

As a trapper, you are required to complete a course and take an extensive test regarding trapping laws and ethics. Traps must be checked every 48 hours, but is recommended every 24 hours.

Predators are nocturnal animals and primarily hunt at night, and the majority of animals are caught during that time.

As a rule of thumb, traps are checked early every morning.

I am a third generation trapper and have a predator control business with my dad and son.

My son, who is 8 years old, started setting leg-hold traps a year ago, with supervision, and he is able to decompress springs and set the trap with a little effort.

Offering this free service, we work with the local farmers and ranchers to help ensure the health of livestock and wild game on their property.

I also hunt, trap and snare on public lands using leg-hold traps as a primary tool.

I may not put on snowshoes and go for an all-day trek, but I do my best to keep my traps away from populated areas where the probability of catching a domestic animal is very low.

I do not trap within 15 miles of Bend on public land because of the high population density.

I primarily trap for coyotes and bobcats on public land; however, I have caught other wildlife and successfully turned them loose without any noticeable, physical damage.

Public lands are just that — everyone has the right to use and enjoy them.

Whether hiking, hunting, trapping or fishing, we all need to be aware of each other and considerate to each other’s rights.

Leg-hold traps are any trapper’s number one tool in the field.

Trapping season is in winter months when there is less activity on public lands.

Any person taking domestic animals on public lands needs to be responsible for their animal and respectful toward other people and their livelihood.

And remember, it is illegal to tamper with or remove traps on public or private land.

Thank you to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon State Police, who support and uphold the laws dealing directly with trapping.