CONTENTS
MESSAGE
WHAT’S INSIDE
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
O
4
A defense of
trapping
The relevance of
trapping today
2 President’s Message
3 News
We’re all on the same team
Headlines from around
the country
7
The truth
about trapping
Dispelling the myths
surrounding the Tool
11 SHiel Award Winner
12 Cabela Award Winner
Charles Brown of
MKS Supply
Doreen Garrett of
Otis Technology
ver the years, anti-hunting and animal-rights activists have set their sights on many
targets, but few have felt the wrath as often as the trapping community. It’s an issue that
cuts right to the core of who we are as an organization.
In 1977, a group of businessmen, lobbyists and wildlife professionals banded together to
defeat Ohio’s Issue 2 – a proposed ban on all trapping in the state. It became clear to them
that to defend against future attacks, a new organization was needed. The nation needed an
organization whose sole mission was the defense of hunting, trapping and fishing, and in
1978 the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America was born. And while our name has changed,
our mission has not.
Over the past 38 years, we’ve witnessed attacks on just about every form of outdoor
recreation. But the one constant has always been trapping. We’ve faced lawsuits, such as the
current Canada lynx case we’re fighting today. We’ve fought at the ballot box, such as the
Maine bear campaign of 2014. We’re currently fighting in Congress to stop a proposed ban on
trapping in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
It’s no secret that the trapping community is a small segment of the hunting and fishing world.
But, trappers are also some of the most passionate outdoorsmen. They are at the front of the line to
defend others when they’re attacked. Why? Because they know that no matter what game we chase,
we’re all in this fight together. They know the true intent of our adversaries and they understand the
real danger that lies with apathy. Unfortunately, this is not always a view shared by all sportsmen.
But it should be. If you read the features on trapping in this month’s issue, you’ll see how important
trapping is to proper wildlife management, and the costs and negative impact associated with its loss.
Whether you’re running a trap line, chasing a buck of lifetime or following a pack
of hounds, we are all on the same team. And our common opponent is right around the
corner, looking for the next opportunity to take a piece of our heritage. We’re here at the
Sportsmen’s Alliance to make sure that doesn’t happen. But we can’t win this fight alone –
encourage your friends, family, outfitters, hunt clubs and businesses in your community to
join the fight to protect our heritage.
Evan Heusinkveld | President and CEO
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SPORTSMEN’S MONTHLY
February | 2016
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February | 2016
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