Hersh was introduced to the outdoors by her father at a young age .
Traditions like hunting and trapping were natural pursuits for Hersh .
Colorado . The Centennial State , home of the Rocky Mountains , gold-rush destination . Icons such as Buffalo Bill and Kit Carson were the ultimate mountain men . The first recorded trapper-trader in the area was James Purcell in 1802 . Seventy-four years later Colorado would become a state , and less than 200 years later trapping would be nearly extinct . A lost tradition only to be read about in history books . And today , history has been forgotten as Colorado faces another attack on our trapping heritage .
As a Colorado resident , trapping is a tradition that was handed down to me from my father , but it is a far cry from what comes to mind when you think “ trapping .” Footholds and conibears were forcefully exchanged for cage traps , thanks to a ballot initiative in 1996 — the year I was born . Though I would not trade the knowledge and memories I have accumulated from my trapping career , the wealth of knowledge I will never unlock , know and experience is something I think about often .
Growing up on an island in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan , my dad taught himself how to trap . Talking to the local woodsmen and a strong run of trial and error made him successful . I think there is some of this in every trapping career , as it can be very much a solo activity .
My first bobcat was caught in a set with the help of my dad . I knew I had a good location , there was game sign in the area from prey species like rabbits and squirrels , and occasionally , a set of bobcat tracks . I set where I thought would be perfect , just off the game trail with some call lures catching the wind . I was met by bob tracks coming right up to the door but not committing . Worse yet , this cat went to a nearby boulder to sit and stare at the trap for a while before deciding the risk outweighed the reward . I told my dad about this encounter , and he jumped at the chance to help . Following his instincts this time , we set up on the opposite side of the trail , dug the trap in more than I would have thought necessary , re-scented with some of that sweet-smelling stuff in the back , adding to the musky smelling long-call scent . The next time that cat ’ s territorial pattern took it past that set , she was mine . Dad was magic ! The lessons would continue as we skinned , fleshed and stretched , making this cat my favorite piece of coldweather clothing today .
While I still learned valuable lessons from my dad , the wealth of knowledge , and the act of putting it to use , won ’ t fully be handed down to me , as Colorado ’ s ballot-initiative process stole that passing of heritage and practical knowledge in less than a generation . Unfortunately , Colorado isn ' t the only state where this is happening , as the attacks are only increasing nationwide via the ballot-initiative process and legislation .
The abuse of the ballot box is clear in Colorado , after attempts at other levels of government failed . There was an attempt to ban bobcat hunting at the commission level in 2019 followed by an attempt to ban bobcat and mountain lion hunting with Senate Bill 31 in 2022 . Both attempts were defeated due to overwhelming opposition from sportsmen . Showing up at the meetings and the capitol , sending emails and letters resulted in a unanimous commission
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