TRAPPING DATA SOUGHT TO HELP PROTECT WOLVES

Credit: (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

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Technical or scientific information about trapping techniques and equipment that could present a potential risk of injury to Mexican wolves is now being sought by the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in Las Cruces.

The Research Unit and the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology at New Mexico State University are assisting the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish with a study of regulated furbearer trapping’s impacts on wolves in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area. Information should be sent to James Cain at NMTrappingReview@gmail.com.

Specifically, the comment should:

1. Evaluate the potential risk of permanent injury or death to Mexican wolves resulting from the use of each trap or snare type, and associated techniques, currently allowed by rule in New Mexico.

2. Identify methods and trap and snare types, associated techniques, and potential modifications that may reduce risk of permanent injury or death to Mexican wolves by regulated furbearer trapping.

Regulated furbearer trapping on the Gila and Apache National Forest was banned by Gov. Bill Richardson July 28, and the State Game Commission established a ban on regulated furbearer trapping on those forests during its meeting October 28. The ban will be in place until the Commission takes action after reviewing the study.

The trapping ban was in effect November 1, and applies to steel traps, foothold traps, snares and conibear body-gripping traps. Trapping for coyotes is allowed. Trapping for regulated furbearer is allowed when necessary to protect public safety and private property.

Trapping seasons for badger, bobcat, fox, ringtail and weasel opened Nov. 1 in most areas of the state. There are no open seasons for pine marten, river otter, black-footed ferret or coatimundi.

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