TEAM renee ANIMAL ADVOCATES of Western New York Attending a Trappers’ Convention: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Animal Advocates of WNY members make a practice of ‘keeping tabs on organizations that exploit animals for fun and/or profi. So when we discovered that a trappers’ convention was scheduled to be held in Hamburg, New York, the summer of 2015, we started making plans. National groups were consulted. Born Free USA and Animal Advocates of WNY worked together on billboards which were designed and strategically placed. However, we new we had to attend the actual convention 10 further educate ourselves about trapping. The following is a ‘summary of what advocates experienced at the convention. Skunk! The odor was undeniable. It filled the nostrils of those entering the building that housed the National Trappers Association convention at the Hamburg, New York, fairgrounds. Escaping from the unpleasant smell was almost impossible, Piled high on tables and hanging from display walls and racks were the furry remains of skunks and many other furbearers, from coyotes to raccoons, all available for purchase. Replicas of lions, bears and other animals were ‘made from fur into table lamps and knick-knacks, Beveraze holders made from pelts of various furbearers were there, too, For those not interested in home decorating, huge hats made of animal remains adorned both the shelves and many of the attendees of the convention, Coyote eyes stared from the heads of hat-wearing men while the tails dangled down the back of their necks. For women, there were turtle shell purses. One gal complimented her pink camouflage shorts, cowboy boots and trapper-themed tee shirt with a coyote fur purse. The straps were even made of fur The front flap of the purse was a fattened coyote face which she could lift up to get into her bag. Kids got into the convention free, Enticing them were pro-trapping coloring books and games to play. One game hhad Conibear traps on the wall. If kids threw a ball that sprung one of the traps, they won a free trap. Trappers filled shopping carts with various traps, hammers, lures, trap dyes, tubs of bait, drowner wires and cables, stretcher boards, how-to-trap DVDs, and trapper baskets. Kids got into the convention free. Enticing them were pro-trapping coloring books and games to play. One vendor was boasting a special killing tool. His contraption turned a Conibear trap into a handy portable raccoon-killer. The invention was a Conibear trap attached to «pole. Next to that display the vendor conveniently also sold the “DP” (dog-proof trap that catches raccoons alive. I's a tube-like deviee which prevents the raccoons from chewing on their trapped limb. We were informed the Conibear trap cma pole enabled the trapper to put the trap over the head of the struggling raccoon. Then the deadly jaws slam onto the animal making for an easy kill for the trapper. Another vendor appeared to be making a killing selling a device that safely removes a trap from a dog’s head. His display showed a mannequin dog head entrapped in a Conibear trap with a sign indicating thatthe tool would save ‘dog from a trap, So many trappers buy ing this trap-temover device defies trappers’ oft-repeated statements to rnon-trappers that itis rare to catch pets in thei traps, A booth supplied attendees with a brochure “Body-grip Traps. Identification, Use & Pet Removal” Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Trappers Association Publication Number WM-460). This brochure warns that “If your pet is caught in a body-grip tap, you have a brief mount of time to safely release the animal.” Another booth provided @ trapper’s publication entitled “INSIDE THE POST” (July/August 2015), which features an article on the subject: “Release in a Zip” by Mike Marchewka, (continued on next page)(continued from previous page) WINTER/SPRING 2016 Advocates attended demonstrations presented by experienced trappers from different states. For instance, a demo on beaver trapping described what can happen when a beaver doesn’t drown as planned. For example, on one occasion the trapped beaver was standing in the water, looking up at the trapper. The trapper hit the beaver on the head with his shovel, and then held his victim underwater with his booted foot to drown him, He relived the moment when a) struggling beaver escaped without a foot. It was a week before the now three-footed beaver came out of his lodge and could be trapped again. ‘The trapper told the audience he has seen “a lot of three-footed beavers.” In a coyote-trapping demonstration the audience learned how to set traps for coyotes. It’s important to anchor traps, using a six foot chain, so you don’t lose a coyote. Contrary to trappers’ common claims that trapped animals just lie down and wait, the trapper described how when caught coyotes will make a Some photos from the trapping convention: circle, urinate all over the place, and tear the area up. In fact, trapped badgers will tear things up so much that the same area can't be used again. There was a sentiment that many spectators and product demonstrators alike seemed to share: they absolutely “loved” trapping, Judging by the license plates on the vehicles in the parking lot, attendees were from all over the United States as well as Canada. Is it possible that so many people can possibly love an activity that we find so ‘gruesome and cruel? It was helpful for our members to keep reminding themselves of something tead earlier in 4 sportsmen’s publication: trapping, license sales in NYS were down 40% last year! What animal advocates experienced at that trappers? convention will certainly motivate them to continue to ‘educate the public about the horrors of trapping. It is too bad that more of the non-trapping public didn't get to witness what they did at that convention,