Missoula, MT — The annual meeting between Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) and the Montana Trappers Association, held on Sunday at the Region 1 Headquarters in Kalispell, provided a vital platform for local trappers to voice their opinions on the upcoming trapping season. The event gathered members of the local trapping community to review data collected from previous years’ seasons and discuss the management of wildlife populations in the region.
Key discussions during the meeting focused on the populations of various species, including bobcats, beavers, and otters. FWP officials and local trappers collaborated to determine the most effective quotas and regulations for the upcoming season. Among the proposed changes, trappers suggested lowering the quota for trapping bobcats while increasing the quota for beavers, among other adjustments.
Jessy Coltrane, a Wildlife Biologist with FWP, explained that the meeting was centered around a holistic review of wildlife data to inform the decisions. “So we worked together to really look at all the data holistically and make decisions on proposals that we’ll put forward to the game commission for season settings,” Coltrane said.
For local trappers like John Dana, the opportunity to contribute to these decisions is essential. Dana emphasized the importance of participating in these meetings, noting, “If you don’t show up to the meetings, then you can’t complain.” He explained that the trapping community’s involvement is critical in ensuring the sustainability of wildlife populations and the long-term health of the environment.
Dana also highlighted the broader purpose behind trapping, stating that the majority of trappers today do so not for financial gain, but as part of their responsibility as stewards of the land. “None of us trapping, none of the trapping community does it to make money or be rich anymore,” he said. “Not like back in the boom days, most of us do it now because we’re just being stewards.”
The meeting underscored the collaborative approach between trappers and FWP, demonstrating how local expertise plays an integral role in managing Montana’s wildlife resources. With the goal of balancing ecological health and sustainable trapping practices, the decisions made during the meeting will help set the stage for the upcoming trapping season while ensuring that ecosystems remain protected.
