If trappers don't stand up for their constitutional rights who will?

It seems to me that until this point the privilege has been one of a citizen of the state.

High rat prices now have the constitutionalists popping out of the woodwork.

Wait till the ANTI's see this and start copycat suing all the state DEC's and DNR's across the country to get whatever trapping laws they want changed they way they want them.

It's a potentially VERY slippery slope we could be sliding down.

All we need is another round of Ballot Initiatives before the General public on whether or not we should be trapping.

I'm all for fair and equitable Non-resident trapping rights in Minnesota and South Dakota, and where ever else we are restricted from trapping, but there has to be a better way to go about it.

It will be interesting to watch it unfold and also see the LAW OF UN-INTENDED CONSEQUENCES rear it's ugly head.

Get strapped in and enjoy the ride fellow trappers.

walleyed

I read somewhere else that South Dakota has already been served papers from the same lawyer.

I can assure you it's not about the "high prices" of muskrats, or any other furbearer for that matter, to me. I've never trapped more than 150 rats in one season. I'm about as "hobby" trapper as they come. I simply want the opportunity to be able to take my grandchildren on a trapping trip at some point in the future. As the oldest is 5, I needed to get going. We tried last session using the legislative process and didn't even receive a hearing in either the house or senate to the bills before them. Those of you outside of MN (and many within) have no idea of the stranglehold a minority of trappers, who are well connected politically, have on the legislators in this State.
For those of you who believe we've entered a slippery slope regarding anti-hunting/trapping groups ability to sue over seasons, I think you worry too much about too little. I've always believed that the DNR in MN be required to manage the resource based upon the ability to sustain it, not which group of people they favor. There is factually no biological reason to not allow NR trappers in MN. I was told that by the DNR in a meeting I had with them last fall. This suit does absolutely nothing to prevent the DNR from managing the resource based upon biological criteria. In fact, it will affirm it.
The only restrictions I have today with respect to trapping, are the ones put in place by other trappers. Changing this law will increase the opportunity for all trappers, not diminish it.

Hogwash-

there are no better ways. how many years has this topic came up in mn? it is time to put up or shut up, period.

michael