Official recognizes trapping importance to economy and wildlife management

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Official recognizes trapping importance to economy and wildlife management Apr 17, 2019 07:13 ET Original: Official recognizes trapping importance to economy and wildlife management [Reprinted from original] Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski recently announced a $1.1 million investment to support the fur-trapping industry and trappers’ efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. The money was presented to Ontario Fur Managers Federation to help it manage the ministry’s education program and licence services for the province’s trappers and trapping instructors. When it comes to managing the industry and dealing with licensing and education issues, the federation “does it extremely well,” Yakabuski said. In making the funding announcement at the Fur Harvesters Auction in North Bay, Yakabuski, the MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, stressed the “important contribution” fur trappers make to the province's economy and sustainable management of Ontario's wildlife. Among those on hand at the auction were members of the Renfrew and District Fur Council, which holds regular meetings in Renfrew. One million furs from across North America come to North Bay every year to be graded and sold at auction. "Trappers play a vital role in wildlife control in both rural and urban areas," said Yakabuski in a news release. "Our government's investment will help the industry prosper and support jobs that benefit thousands of families across Ontario." He said trapping is an effective wildlife management tool for regulating population numbers of furbearer species such as coyotes, beavers and raccoons. Trappers also play an important role in reducing human-wildlife conflicts such as damage to property as a result of flooding caused by beavers, and loss of livestock from predation by wolves and coyotes, he explained. "Trapping is culturally significant for many people across our province," said Yakabuski. "For 400 years, the industry has used a plentiful natural resource in a sustainable and responsible manner." There are about 8,700 commercial trapping licences sold annually in Ontario. The ministry provides administrative support to more than 100 independent trapping instructors who provide mandatory training to about 800 individuals each year. Yakabuski said Ontario's trapping regulations are considered among the strictest and most humane and the province's trapper licensing and education requirements help to ensure compliance with international humane trapping standards. In related news, Yakabuski attended a hunting, fishing and trapping roundtable in Kenora to gain input on how his ministry can improve customer service and “make life easier for hunters, anglers, and trappers.” He also said the government is committed to continue funding the Forest Access Roads program. “We recognize the important contributions these roads make, benefiting not only the industry, but also tourism operators, communities and emergency response,” he said.

Official recognizes trapping importance to economy and wildlife management Apr 17, 2019 07:13 ET Original: Official recognizes trapping importance to economy and wildlife management [Reprinted from original] Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski recently announced a $1.1 million investment to support the fur-trapping industry and trappers’ efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. The money was presented to Ontario Fur Managers Federation to help it manage the ministry’s education program and licence services for the province’s trappers and trapping instructors. When it comes to managing the industry and dealing with licensing and education issues, the federation “does it extremely well,” Yakabuski said. In making the funding announcement at the Fur Harvesters Auction in North Bay, Yakabuski, the MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, stressed the “important contribution” fur trappers make to the province's economy and sustainable management of Ontario's wildlife. Among those on hand at the auction were members of the Renfrew and District Fur Council, which holds regular meetings in Renfrew. One million furs from across North America come to North Bay every year to be graded and sold at auction. "Trappers play a vital role in wildlife control in both rural and urban areas," said Yakabuski in a news release. "Our government's investment will help the industry prosper and support jobs that benefit thousands of families across Ontario." He said trapping is an effective wildlife management tool for regulating population numbers of furbearer species such as coyotes, beavers and raccoons. Trappers also play an important role in reducing human-wildlife conflicts such as damage to property as a result of flooding caused by beavers, and loss of livestock from predation by wolves and coyotes, he explained. "Trapping is culturally significant for many people across our province," said Yakabuski. "For 400 years, the industry has used a plentiful natural resource in a sustainable and responsible manner." There are about 8,700 commercial trapping licences sold annually in Ontario. The ministry provides administrative support to more than 100 independent trapping instructors who provide mandatory training to about 800 individuals each year. Yakabuski said Ontario's trapping regulations are considered among the strictest and most humane and the province's trapper licensing and education requirements help to ensure compliance with international humane trapping standards. In related news, Yakabuski attended a hunting, fishing and trapping roundtable in Kenora to gain input on how his ministry can improve customer service and “make life easier for hunters, anglers, and trappers.” He also said the government is committed to continue funding the Forest Access Roads program. “We recognize the important contributions these roads make, benefiting not only the industry, but also tourism operators, communities and emergency response,” he said.