Wally Sykes and Mike King have submitted letters against leg-hold trapping, and Jeremy Cooley submitted one in favor. Mine is in favor. I am a trapper. My husband and I do this together and, quite frankly, I enjoy it!

Mr. Sykes talks about the unpleasant death of predators that find themselves in traps. Well, I am here to tell you that my husband and I trap mostly for cattle and sheep ranchers. They tie up their dogs when we are out there and have also stated that if we find one of their dogs in our traps to let them go, as they will be fine. These ranchers call us when there is a problem. We have seen many mother sheep and cows lose their lives, along with their young, because a coyote or a pack of them take advantage. Mother nature? You bet. Part of the food chain? No doubt. But how would you feel if someone came to your home, opened your wallet and took your paycheck, because they had the opportunity? You probably wouldn’t.

As for dispatching these unsuspecting predators in an inhumane manner, I personally have never stepped on their chest to suffocate them. As for the dog at large, it happens daily. And the biggest problem is that on all the private land that I, my husband or one of our fellow trappers trap, you know how many times domestic dogs have been caught? Or how many traps have been stolen by someone who lets their pets roam freely on other people’s property? How many people go out for a walk (trespass), and their loving pets are caught? Give me a break. We try to stay off public land and we still get people with pets where they have no right to be. We have had several traps stolen, and people threaten to turn us in. We tell them to feel free because they are trespassing. Now that they have also stolen our traps and equipment and have committed criminal trespassing, we welcome them to call ODFW so they can get a ticket to go along with it. If we marked our traps, then we would be completely opening ourselves up to theft. People can’t leave alone what doesn’t belong to them.

There has been mention about public land and being able to enjoy it. Well, we are the public, too. Mr. Sykes refers to animal cruelty. Well, you go out to a working cattle ranch during calving season and you will get schooled in a hurry. That is animal cruelty in every sense of the word and if 2,500 trappers in Oregon can make a difference four months out of the year, then people should welcome us. In today’s society, if some group doesn’t like what another group is doing, they try to ban it. Well, that is never the solution. Look at the cougar populations because of a ban on the use of hounds. Public lands belong to everyone, and trapping usually occurs from November through February, when pelts are at their prime. I don’t think it is asking too much to share these public lands.

It has also been mentioned in previous articles about coyotes chewing off a foot. In the years we have trapped we have never had this happen. Also, someone spoke to a trapper who has caught himself hundreds of times. My suggestion to him would be to get a video and learn how to set traps! It has also been mentioned that Oregonians don’t want these animals abused. Abuse happens every day with your friends and neighbors starving their animals and treating them poorly. Just look how full the animal shelters are. Trapping, when done properly, is very humane and is not brutal cruelty.

As for making little money, some letter writers obviously don’t know enough about it. This little money helps support my family and goes right back into the local economy.

Trapping does not prevent citizens from enjoying their public lands. We, too, are public citizens and we don’t catch people. We catch dogs that get out of sight of their owners. There are such things as leash laws!

I believe a lot of traditions belong in the garbage — but that is just an opinion. I don’t try in any way to force it upon everyone else. I guess if you have never had a domestic animal killed by a predator, you don’t know why we need to be here.

There was another recent “In My View” article stating that ODFW should give classes to teach pet owners how to get their pets out of traps. Well, anyone can call them and order a trapping packet, or go get a video and watch it. There are a lot of resources out there without spending money we don’t have to give lessons for something so simple. Page 69 of the Oregon big game regulations also has valuable information for dog owners.