The House chairman of the environmental committee at time flat out said there would be no non-resident trapping while he's in power. The senate minority leader and others on the senate committee were dead set against non-residents also. If you dont have support in the committees the bill isnt going anywhere. Especially the chairmen, they have all the power

Again. The bill had no chance of passing all branches of government. It would have been foolish to introduce a bill when it had no chance of passing. All that can come out of it are possible bad amendments that trappers wouldnt have wanted. I wasnt active at that time but I know the circumstances. The House Chairman wasnt going to allow the bill out of his committee.

And how do you know the circumstances?

Why wouldnt I. We've talked about it many times at meetings.

Do you suppose it was detrimental for the MTA to be sharing a Lobbyist with an Association formed soley to oppose NR trapping at the time ?

Any chance that the MTA representatives making arguments against NR trapping had any bearing on the Committee Chairman’s opinions ?

What you know is what you were told by the MTA leadership that leaned on the committee chairs to not let the bills out of committee. I was actively involved with each step of the process. You're repeating inaccurate information

None. Hackbarth wasnt swayed by any lobbyist. He had his ideas and wasnt getting swayed. I do think it was a bad idea to share a lobbyist. The board eventually recognized that too, thats why he just represents the MTA now.

One bright spot is the current committees have some people that are very favorable to trapping. If the republicans can get the power back in the House and Senate in 2024 we will be in the best shape in years. Theres three trappers on the Senate committee with another one very supportive. On the House committee, there's two trappers with all the other Republicans very supportive. If the Republicans take control, they will have more members, hopefully the additions will be trappers.Theres two democrats that do support trapping, (the only two I'm aware of in the whole legislature) although one is against non-residents, the other I'm not sure, he keeps cancelling meetings.. He used to trap but he did vote to end the wolf season, probably got pressure from constituents.

Let me reiterate, hold on to what you have, you'll be lucky to do so.

Exactly! Some dont realize how close we are to losing trapping as we know it in this state. If the active bills came up for a full legislature vote, it literally would likely be passed or not passed by a couple votes, or even a single vote.

I think that SHOULD be the focus right now. And thank you again to Goldy and ALL the others spending lots of time and energy on this.

What happened in the past is just that, the past. We can all have our opinions on the reality of the situations, and we’re all probably right to a certain extent. Trying to sift through and figure out the “truth” is always a challenge. Things have come a long ways in the right direction and I truly feel that given the right representation and timing there is light at the end of the tunnel. That was NOT the case 15-20 years ago when I was spending time educating, promoting, and listening to folks on their thoughts of NR trapping in MN.

Happy trapping! ScottW

I believe it was 2018 or 2019 it was voted and passed in a board meeting to not share a lobbyist with the MFZTA. I wouldn't be shocked if they still did.

"Protecting the Rights of Minnesota Sportspeople to Harvest Surplus Furbearing Animals"
MTA Official Mission Statement:

"The Minnesota Trappers Association was established in January, 1959 for the sole purpose of "helping to perpetuate the nation's oldest industry - the fur trade"."

You see what happened to our MN flag I know none of you would have OK'd that . MNSP is responsible for that and trapping will also go the same way .

It certainly would be hard to take an individual seriously if he collecting revenue from both sides of an argument. Pretty much a comedy of errors !

With that said I found the paid Lobbyist to be extremely careful as well as professional when I was in his presence on that particular subject. He was not making arguments against NR trapping.

And the City of Rochester, the entire North Shore including the City of Duluth.
I suspect St Cloud metro played a roll and I believe also Fergus Falls. Individuals that call MN as a whole Liberal, are ignorant at best !

First to go will be trapping. Then what they have learned what does or doesn't work will be used against hunters, fishermen and eventually farmers and ranchers.

Thanks BobMo!!

I find it ironic that the MTA chairman of the committee is trapping out of state, in a state that doesn't require reciprocity. Taking advantage of opportunity that his state denies fellow trappers. Especially after the leadership stated their opposition to allowing NR's.

I'm not from MN so excuse my ignorance on the matter, but what position do you serve in the MTA, Goldy?