Shrnutí

Popis

Persons requesting permits to trap on a 691,000 ha wildlife refuge on Alaskas Kenai Peninsula answered questions about their trapping experience, trapping techniques, and views on trapping on the refuge and its impacts. Fiftyone percent did not have any trapping experience outside of Alaska and 24 percent had not previously trapped. Only 21 percent had over 10 years of experience trapping in the state. Outdoor experience was the main reason for trapping, most trappers trapped for land as well as aquatic furbearers, and the wolf, coyote, and wolverine were considered the most difficult to trap. Fortyfive percent did not previously trap on the refuge. Only 32 percent favored changing trapping procedures despite the fact that only 39 percent reported they had no significant problems trapping on the refuge. Interference by nontrappers and stolen traps were reported by over 25 percent of the respondents. The majority of trappers indicated they would support additional regulations or closed areas to protect furbearers. Of those trappers who felt high prices were contributing to excessive trapping pressure on longhaired furbearers, most listed the lynx as the most vulnerable species.