I cannot believe that, in this era of fine synthetics and artificial fur (if you prefer), we are still having this debate about trapping. The way these animals are routinely killed ---- snared in traps in the cold of winter, left unattended for days at a time ---- only to be shot in the head or choked to death when said trapper is finally able to make his (or her?) rounds to check, is indeed cruel and barbaric.
I grew up here hunting moose and caribou for food on the table. That is different. First, the animal is being used for subsistence; second, hunting on foot with a rifle is at least marginally sporting and ensures a reasonably quick death.
Come on, people, it's the 21st century. And it is time for Alaska to catch up with the rest of the world in terms of animal control, and issues of humane treatment of game in the wild.
Truly nothing is more beautiful than a red fox coat, on the fox and darting through the trees merrily on a winter's day.
---- Brian Smith / Anchorage |
