HAMILTON - A week ago Saturday, Steve Slocomb joined the ranks of Montanans opposed to trapping.
It happened on a cross-country ski outing with a friend up Lost Horse Road south of Hamilton.
“I assumed he was just up in front of us somewhere running through the woods,” Slocomb said. “Normally he stays within 100 feet or so, but he seemed particularly rambunctious that day.”
After skiing for a mile or so without seeing the dog, Slocomb started getting nervous. They turned back toward the car, stopping occasionally to call for Otis.
“About a half-mile from the car, we heard some barking,” he said. “We called again and we could hear some whimpering coming from the forest. We followed the sound.”
With darkness falling and a winter storm predicted that night, Slocomb said the search was becoming frantic.
He found his dog about 20 feet off the road. Its front paw was caught in a leghold trap. Another trap was snapped shut on Otis' shoulder.
“I was freaking out because I couldn't figure out how to get the traps off,” Slocomb said. “The chain and cable attached to the traps were wrapped around everything.”
He cut through the cable and unwrapped it from around the dog's paw. It took some time, but Slocomb figured out how the traps worked and pulled them off his dog.
“I don't know how long it took, but it seemed like an eternity,” he said.
Otis survived the ordeal, but that didn't change Slocomb's mind about trapping.
“I am rather angry about the whole thing, especially that there was nothing illegal about the trap and how it was set 20 feet from the road,” Slocomb said. “I will offer my services to any media campaign that will help us ban trapping in Montana. It is an archaic throwback to an earlier time when people were living off the land.”
The professional videographer posted a video on the Web site YouTube, to let people know about his displeasure.
“I hope it goes viral,” he said.
Montana Trappers Association President Tom Barnes said incidents like this one are regrettable.
“No trapper wants to catch anyone's pet,” the Dillon man said. “We all have pets of our own.”
When incidents like this occur, the question always arises: Were the traps legally set? If they were - which they appear to have been in this case - then there's not much that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks can do, Barnes said.
The Montana Trappers Association will again support legislation this year requiring beginning trappers to take an educational course, he said. The association also has offered classes on how to open traps to pet owners in Missoula and elsewhere around the state.
“The Montana Trappers Association has a long history of providing education for trappers,” Barnes said. “We've done many, many, many hours of trapper education over the years.”
The association won't support any legislation that would require trappers to check their traps on a certain schedule, he said, but might consider a law requiring signs at a trailhead if the association was involved in developing the legislation.
“We don't necessarily want people to know where our traps are,” Barnes said. “There are people out there who would look for and then disable them. Š It's an illegal act to mess with another man's traps or snares.”
Nearly all of the conflict between trappers and the public is focused on the western third of the state, but Barnes said it is a statewide issue.
“There are just more people and they live in closer proximity to trails,” Barnes said.
Those opposed to trapping want people to think that every dog that roams off trail is being caught in a trap, Barnes said.
“That's simply not true,” he said. “It is a minute percent that actually get caught in a trap. It's a hard situation, but why should a whole industry be shut down because of it?”
Barnes said trappers are continually making concessions and pointed to the pilot program in the Missoula area where trappers have agreed to stay out of popular recreation areas.
“Those areas are closed to trapping,” he said. “How much is enough?”
FWP Region 2 spokesperson Vivaca Crowser said an advisory group met last winter to look for ways to address some of the public's concerns related to trapping.
The Region 2 Trapping Working Group recommended that three popular recreational areas near Missoula be off limits to trapping. Pattee Canyon, Blue Mountain and the Rattlesnake Recreation Areas are now trap-free.
“Everyone, including trappers in the group, agreed that these areas were not very conducive to trapping,” Crowser said. “This was a first step and now we'll see how it goes. There may be other areas that we'll look at in the future.”
Crowser expects the state Legislature to take up the issue of mandatory education classes for new trappers again in the 2009 session. FWP has also developed brochures that pet owners can use to learn more about how traps operate in case their animal is caught.
In the meantime, Slocomb said he's worried about Otis every time he takes his dog for run.
“Now my wife doesn't want me to take him into the woods anymore,” Slocomb said on his YouTube video. “My little dog loves hiking and running around. He goes with me everywhere. I don't know. It's just a bad deal. He's not a happy camper.”
Jeff Darrah, FWP's Region 2 warden captain, said the issue is a tough one for those participating in trapping.
“It's a no-win deal for trappers,” Darrah said. “A lot of people end up dead set against trapping after a dog gets caught. It probably happens in the Bitterroot more than anywhere else in the state.”
“On the west side, the trailheads start at the bottom of every one of those canyons and they go straight up the bottom,” he said. “It's a pretty tough situation when you have people walking their dogs in the same place where others are trying to trap.”
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adam wrote on Dec 22, 2008 8:08 AM:
" Trapping is clearly unnecessary and should be done away with. No one does it for simple recreation. It is only done for personal gain and profit. Please let it go the way of the black smith. We don't need it anymore. "
jim wrote on Dec 22, 2008 10:04 AM:
" Hold on now, before we jump to any conclusions. Lets make sure this tape isn't a set up. Lets look this tape over first. The traps look pretty big to me, maybe a number 5 and they aren't dyed or waxed.It looks shiny new to me, and no trapper worth his salt would use a new traps especially in an are of public travel. Your not going to catch much fur with that trap, because the animals will smell it because it is not rusted or dyed. It's to big a trap for coyotes. Not many people go for a walk in the woods in the dead of winter, especially in this weather.Who can't figure out how to depress the spring arms and open the trap. Yes, their are some slob trappers out there,but this guy looks like a nerd from the get go. If I had to guess he looks like a peta nerd, and I wouldn't put it past them. "
Brian wrote on Dec 22, 2008 10:11 AM:
" Sad but maybe he should have controlled his dog. How many times had he been in the woods and not had this happen? Banning trapping is not the answer. This is not a common occurence, more dogs are hit by cars.
Dog owners owe it to their dogs to keep them from getting hurt like this. "
Dog owners owe it to their dogs to keep them from getting hurt like this. "
Eunice Farmilant wrote on Dec 22, 2008 10:21 AM:
" Last year two dogs were caught in traps not far from me in Sanders county. One died, the other was finally rescued after being caught in a trap for 48 hours. Both were healthy young labs. The traps were set very close to homes, practically in the owner's back yard by an unknown trapper (the law requires the name of trappers to be written on the traps.) The dog owner released all the set traps, and the next day they disappeared. There is no justification for trapping-- a cruel and primitive practice that puts many creatures at risk and offers them a long horrible death. "
Tina Nicola wrote on Dec 22, 2008 10:32 AM:
" I am completely behind you on this movement. Twas a year ago my german shepard was caught just outside of our property line. The neihbors hired out a trapper to wipe out the coyotes in the area and my dog smelled the baited traps. $1500 and 8 months later he is okay, but sensitive to cold on his paw. This is a barbaric act, senseless as it's very rarely done for meat, and in my opinion it's time has come for erradication. It's lazy. Barbaric. And dated. "
Jim Costello wrote on Dec 22, 2008 11:21 AM:
" I question the moral character of any human being that accepts the slow death of an animal. Like whaling, this barbaric practice needs to stop. The individuals who wear the furs of these animals are also guilty. This is not hunting where the hunter takes pride in a quick clean kill. Montana still allows wolverines to be trapped!! "
Ron A wrote on Dec 22, 2008 11:35 AM:
" Too bad your dog, Stephen.
However, besides the trap being part of the problem, I also think YOU must also be part of the problem. You admitted to allowing your dog to run loose (over 100 ft) and being out of hearing range, which is a FS violation. You are responsible for being negligent in letting the dog run loose and out of hearing range. While the FS has loose regulations and no longer requires a lease (which I disagree with), I think it is only prudent to be a responsible pet owner.
I like the idea of posting trapping signs, but dogs can't read.
And owners who allow their dogs to run loose are also part of the problem.
I can't believe you traveled over 1 mile before you became concerned about your dog and went to go find it. If my dogs did not respond to my voice within a few minutes, I would have started looking for them.
Abolishing trapping is not the answer.
Educating dog/pet owners to the problems of trapping and not allowing the animals to get "footloose" is.
Would you like a little cheese with your whine?
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ANIMALS! "
However, besides the trap being part of the problem, I also think YOU must also be part of the problem. You admitted to allowing your dog to run loose (over 100 ft) and being out of hearing range, which is a FS violation. You are responsible for being negligent in letting the dog run loose and out of hearing range. While the FS has loose regulations and no longer requires a lease (which I disagree with), I think it is only prudent to be a responsible pet owner.
I like the idea of posting trapping signs, but dogs can't read.
And owners who allow their dogs to run loose are also part of the problem.
I can't believe you traveled over 1 mile before you became concerned about your dog and went to go find it. If my dogs did not respond to my voice within a few minutes, I would have started looking for them.
Abolishing trapping is not the answer.
Educating dog/pet owners to the problems of trapping and not allowing the animals to get "footloose" is.
Would you like a little cheese with your whine?
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ANIMALS! "
mike wrote on Dec 22, 2008 12:09 PM:
" People need to take more responsibility for what their dogs do. The dog has the IQ of a 3 year old, and no one would allow their toddler out of their sight, out of sight is too far away from you and out of your control. Traps should be the least of your worries when it comes to a dog loose in the woods. "
leashem wrote on Dec 22, 2008 12:41 PM:
" Severs them right they should have had the dog leashed. The owner should be cited for disobeying the law.
People with dogs think they can just do whatever they want irrespective of the law. You see it all the time along the Kim Williams Trail - feces everywhere, it's disgusting and dogs illegaly off leash constantly.
LEASH YOUR DOG AND PICKUP THE FECES "
People with dogs think they can just do whatever they want irrespective of the law. You see it all the time along the Kim Williams Trail - feces everywhere, it's disgusting and dogs illegaly off leash constantly.
LEASH YOUR DOG AND PICKUP THE FECES "
Quincie wrote on Dec 22, 2008 12:44 PM:
" I completely agree with Jim Costello. I, too, question the moral character of any human being that accepts the slow and painful death of an animal. "
Dana wrote on Dec 22, 2008 12:52 PM:
" I would like to see a little more responsibility on the part of pet owners addressed! The FEW dogs that have been caught in traps have all been running without supervision. (The only place your dog should run loose is on your own property!) Then dog owners come back on the trappers for the owners neglect of the animal(?) - buck-up and take some responsibility for your own actions. If my child was running loose and got hit by a car in a parking lot, it would certainly not be the drivers fault, it would be mine for not keeping my child safely beside me! ~and yes, we do own a dog.
Personally, I am against posting signs - the only animals that pay any attention to them are PETA activists. My sons trap and have tried posting signs, and when they do, their traps are either stolen, thrown where they can't find them, or sprung.
Please do a little of your OWN research into the damage that fur-bearers like beaver & muskrat will do if not population-controlled.
Anyone who believes in our right to hunt or fish would be wise to side with the trapping community. Once they outlaw trapping, your guns and fishing poles will be next... (our new ObamaNation is already working on your guns!)
Trapping is a big part of our Montana heritage, and needs to be kept alive. "
Personally, I am against posting signs - the only animals that pay any attention to them are PETA activists. My sons trap and have tried posting signs, and when they do, their traps are either stolen, thrown where they can't find them, or sprung.
Please do a little of your OWN research into the damage that fur-bearers like beaver & muskrat will do if not population-controlled.
Anyone who believes in our right to hunt or fish would be wise to side with the trapping community. Once they outlaw trapping, your guns and fishing poles will be next... (our new ObamaNation is already working on your guns!)
Trapping is a big part of our Montana heritage, and needs to be kept alive. "
Vic Venom wrote on Dec 22, 2008 1:10 PM:
" While I regret the pain and suffering the dog went through, abolishing trapping is not the answer. Trapping, just like hunting, is necessary to control coyotes and other predators that are out there. These predators have no qualms about hunting down domestic animals and even people. There is a very good article called "A More Dangerous Game Bears on the Golf Course, Deer on the Windshield, Wolves on the Walk Back Home" regarding this in the November 24th issue of Sports Illustrated. As in every field, there are irresponsible trappers out there who do set traps where they shouldn't be set, but don't condemn the entire trapping community, based on the actions of those few. "
g wrote on Dec 22, 2008 2:25 PM:
" There is no excuse for your dog being out of your sight. If it was chasing deer, it should be shot. To go a mile without seeing the dog is plain irresponsible. I suppose if a mountain lion or bear got your dog, you would want them banned too.
You should leave your dog at home if you can't or won't keep your dog under supervision.
As for banning leg hold traps, we could go with connibars and your dog would be dead. No letting anything out of them. So be happy it was only a leg hold.
In areas where trapping is banned the coyotes come right into town and snatch Muffy and Muffin right out of the yards. You can't control everything, but you can control your dog. "
You should leave your dog at home if you can't or won't keep your dog under supervision.
As for banning leg hold traps, we could go with connibars and your dog would be dead. No letting anything out of them. So be happy it was only a leg hold.
In areas where trapping is banned the coyotes come right into town and snatch Muffy and Muffin right out of the yards. You can't control everything, but you can control your dog. "
amanda wrote on Dec 22, 2008 3:22 PM:
" Anyone who has grown up here in Montana knows that there are wild animals that roam around here. At some point if trapping is banned those creatures will start becoming more of a nuisance in towns and cities. Heck I've seen cougars wander through the backyards of homes in Clinton, MT. While I regret the injury sustained by any pet I think that trapping is necessary to keeping our kids and families safe. The MTA has worked with the public and trappers to come to some agreements, but the public is as responsible for their pets as trappers are for their traps. "
DirtDauber wrote on Dec 22, 2008 4:58 PM:
" I agree that it would not be a pleasant situation for Otis.
It could have been completely avoided if the dog's owner had been considerate enough to keep Otis under his care.
Since Otis was running loose, any number of things could have happened to him, and did. "
It could have been completely avoided if the dog's owner had been considerate enough to keep Otis under his care.
Since Otis was running loose, any number of things could have happened to him, and did. "
Anja Heister wrote on Dec 22, 2008 5:56 PM:
" When will trappers realize that there is no leash law on public lands and that they are guilty of injuring and killing our wildlife and increasingly our companion dogs?
A TRAP BAN on public lands IS the ANSWER to this barbaric and archaic nonsense. Please report any trap incidents you know of, as well as any trap locations to FOOTLOOSE MONTANA at www.footloosemontana/org "
A TRAP BAN on public lands IS the ANSWER to this barbaric and archaic nonsense. Please report any trap incidents you know of, as well as any trap locations to FOOTLOOSE MONTANA at www.footloosemontana/org "
bw wrote on Dec 22, 2008 6:34 PM:
" Too bad his dog wasn't eaten by a wolf...maybe we could get rid of them then? "
joe wrote on Dec 22, 2008 7:46 PM:
" First, how long have trappers been setting traps with very few incidents? I would say over a century. Therefore, people need to be more wise and realize that traps could be anywhere. Second, why is Obama being mentioned in this article? I love how the Right-Wingers want to scare people into thinking he is going to take away all our guns. BS! I wish I had the foresight to open a gunshop and make a huge profit on all the stupid people buying guns after Obama won the election. By the way, I own seven guns and have hunted since I was twelve. "
george wrote on Dec 22, 2008 7:52 PM:
" It would sound to me like this is yet another attempt to change the already established way of life from another outsider. "
Greg wrote on Dec 22, 2008 9:06 PM:
" After watching the video I found a comment that appears to show that this was may not of even happened. It is a wonder also that the video shows him with these traps on the dog. Why wouldn't the owner and his friend both be working to free the dog unless they didn't care about the animal or it was staged? Makes ya wonder who the abuser was here. Just a thought
Quote youtube: "Please people, take my word for it, this is a staged incident and that man should be jailed !! What you have there, is a brand spanking NEW trap that was placed on that dog, most likely by his owner. There is no dye on the trap as most traps would be dyed to provide camo and protection from the elements, at the very least there would be rust on the trap. There is clearly no rust on that trap its all nice and clean. The trap is not even staked down." "
Quote youtube: "Please people, take my word for it, this is a staged incident and that man should be jailed !! What you have there, is a brand spanking NEW trap that was placed on that dog, most likely by his owner. There is no dye on the trap as most traps would be dyed to provide camo and protection from the elements, at the very least there would be rust on the trap. There is clearly no rust on that trap its all nice and clean. The trap is not even staked down." "
Bruce Johns wrote on Dec 22, 2008 10:06 PM:
" "archaic throwback"?
"people living off the land"?
Holy tree-huggers, Batman!
We still live off the land unless you have been raising crops in outer space that you're not telling us about.
Trapping is a perfectly legitimate vocation. The problem is people taking domesticated mongrels in the wild. Keep Fido and Fifi at home in the yard or take them to some manmade park.
Stop persecuting trappers who choose to still "live off the land" so you can walk animals that nature never intended to exist. "
"people living off the land"?
Holy tree-huggers, Batman!
We still live off the land unless you have been raising crops in outer space that you're not telling us about.
Trapping is a perfectly legitimate vocation. The problem is people taking domesticated mongrels in the wild. Keep Fido and Fifi at home in the yard or take them to some manmade park.
Stop persecuting trappers who choose to still "live off the land" so you can walk animals that nature never intended to exist. "
c bailey wrote on Dec 22, 2008 10:29 PM:
" you don't believe people still live off land ? are you kidding?
guess depends on your definition
we live off deer meat, fish, & garden
in '87 paid for our kids xms off trapping in gallatin valley
sierra club go home
now wolves take our deer & elk! "
guess depends on your definition
we live off deer meat, fish, & garden
in '87 paid for our kids xms off trapping in gallatin valley
sierra club go home
now wolves take our deer & elk! "
c bailey wrote on Dec 22, 2008 10:37 PM:
" now i read yor comments
are you kidding
i am a pet lover
keep your pet at home
they are house pets
we are in montana
we need a bounty on coyotes and maybe wolves too
rabies is being spread by skunks
wake up "
are you kidding
i am a pet lover
keep your pet at home
they are house pets
we are in montana
we need a bounty on coyotes and maybe wolves too
rabies is being spread by skunks
wake up "
PixelTwisted wrote on Dec 23, 2008 9:09 AM:
" Trapping is a slow and painful death and needs to be done away with. I don't understand why any human being would want to cause so much pain in another living being.
Traps are indiscriminate and it's only a matter of time when an adventurous child will stick their hand in trap. So, are parents to leash their children too? Leashes are not the answer.
Why should the majority of the population fear taking their family and pets in woods for the pleasure of just a few trappers?
Wouldn't it be interesting if this issue could be put on a ballot and voted on? "
Traps are indiscriminate and it's only a matter of time when an adventurous child will stick their hand in trap. So, are parents to leash their children too? Leashes are not the answer.
Why should the majority of the population fear taking their family and pets in woods for the pleasure of just a few trappers?
Wouldn't it be interesting if this issue could be put on a ballot and voted on? "
We are in Montana right wrote on Dec 23, 2008 10:25 AM:
" I think that Steve should be issued a ticket for animal cruelty. What kind of concerned owner poses for pictures when his dog is in such "unimaginable pain"? And wouldn't it be theft to remove the trap from the woods? Not to mention that he has admitted to his dog being illegally away from him. Signs don't help pet owners that don't obey the law. It is your responsiblity to keep your pet safe and know the risks when your dog is out of your yard. If you are going to a location where traps are known to be set you owe it to your pet to follow and obey the laws, know how to disarm a trap and not to take pictures before freeing an animal. If Mr. Slocomb would have obeyed the laws his dog would have most likely been safe. The fact that his dog ok just goes to show that trapping isn't the "dog killing" mess it is said to be. "
jeff wrote on Dec 24, 2008 6:41 PM:
" You have never heard of a car hitting a bicycle or a pedestrian have you? Well sure you have and that is like saying that even if they were doing everything right like following all the turning and crossing laws they were not at fault it was the cars drivers fault and we should BAN cars. That is not going to solve any problem by banning trapping it will only create more problems. If you want to live somewhere that trapping is not allowed move there and leave the average guy alone that is trying to squeek out a little extra money by trapping. Everyone is out to get rid of things that don't impact their life. You don't smoke so nobody else should be able to either. When once or twice a month you venture out of your bubble and want to go and have dinner or go out for a couple of drinks. So get off your high horse and leave things alone that don't pertain to you. These people need to watch their pets and be held equally as resposible for them as they would be with anything else in their lives. Also a responcible trapper is not letting the animals suffer that he intends to trap. A responcible trapper checks his traps at a minimum of every other day. "
dd wrote on Dec 26, 2008 11:37 AM:
" trapping,hunting and fishing are necessary to promote healthy wildlife populations. if anyone truly considers themselves to be an environmentalist, or a defender of wildlife than they would know this. ignorance is NOT bliss!!! research and study facts on managing wild animal populations then confront stories such as these from a knowledagable perspective instead of an emotional one. until you are educated on facts, your opinion is one based from pure ignorance. "
john walker wrote on Dec 26, 2008 7:20 PM:
" There is no rhyme nor reason to continue to trap. Sadism may come into play,but what else? When are we going to do anything about it ? Oh i know...when a child is injured or even killed ! right ? the comments from the trapper supporters says it all. doesn`t it ? IDIOTS..NO HELP FOR THOSE (BOYS) "
bobodo2 wrote on Dec 26, 2008 8:07 PM:
" wow..all of you people opening your mouths on dog safety..well I personally know 2 of you that rant and rave to keep your dogs under control ..well practice what you preach..you 2 know exactly who Im talking about..the 2 Rotties and the gal with the black and tan mongrel..you 2 leave your dogs off the leashes all the time and say ohh the wont bother you..well shut your yaps and leash your dogs before you tell others to "
Brooke wrote on Dec 26, 2008 11:55 PM:
" This same exact thing happened to my mom and our lab at our cabin in Lincoln. She ended up being ok, but I don't agree with the trapping either. It's dangerous, and in my opinion should be illegal. There is PLENTY of forests in Montana that could be used for this and not so close to populated areas and trails. Keep your eye out when your out with your puppies!! "
walter f billings wrote on Dec 22, 2008 7:39 AM:
helpless animals and pets is insane.
The question is, who in the heck is still involved in this travesty on nature? I hate to use the leftist term, ban, but maybe that is what is needed in our state. "