Judge OKs USSAF to Represent Sportsmen in Minnesota
Anti-Trapping Lawsuit

A federal court judge will allow the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation to represent trappers’ interests in a second suit brought to ban trapping in Minnesota.

The suit is one of three similar anti-trapping cases in which the USSAF is involved. The lawsuits, filed in Minnesota and Maine, will also set precedents that jeopardize hunting, fishing and trapping wherever endangered species exist.

Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Erickson granted the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF) and its U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund (U.S. SLDF) permission to join the suit, which was brought by the Animal Protection Institute. The anti’s are suing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources claiming that since the state is home to populations of federally protected Canada lynx, bald eagles and grey wolves, all trapping of any species should be stopped to prevent incidental catch. There is no data proving this to be a problem.

This is an attempt by the anti’s to ban trapping in Minnesota and establish legal precedent to ban a wide range of taking of wildlife. The case could set a precedent that affects how the Endangered Species Act can be applied throughout the nation. If anti’s can stop trapping in a place where they claim there is a risk of catching lynx, they can just as easily try to stop fishing in bodies of water where they claim there is a risk of catching endangered sturgeon.

The U.S. SLDF has joined the case, along with the Minnesota Trappers Association, Fur Takers of America, the National Trappers Association and Minnesota trappers Todd Roggenkamp and Cory Van Driel.

Sportsmen nationwide are encouraged to help fight the anti’s. Consider a contribution to the U.S. SLDF to help defray costs accrued during these lawsuits and future legal battles to protect trapping.

Donations can be made online, or sent to: The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund, 801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH, 43229. For more information, call (614) 888-4868.

The U.S. SLDF is the nation’s only litigation force that exclusively represents sportsmen’s interests in the courts. It defends wildlife management and sportsmen’s rights in local, state and federal courts. The U.S. SLDF represents the interests of sportsmen and assists government lawyers who have little or no background in wildlife law.

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Reprinted with permission from U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance: www.ussportsmen.org

MBI is a proud supporter of USSA. We are a member of their Bow Hunter Defense Coalition and have also contributed to their Bear Hunting Defense Task Force.

Webmaster Comments: If you happen to be thinking 'I don't trap and this really doesn't impact me' I suggest you give the issue some more thought. If you REALLY believe that the anti's are only going after trapping you are seriously underestimating their direction - IT IS ONLY A BEGINNING! It is clear to me their strategy is to start with those outdoor sports that have the fewest number of participants based upon the assumption those sports will have the least ability to fight the big money funding the anti's. So, what do you think is next...bowhunting possibly??? Give it some serious thought and if you are concerned about the the possibilty of "your sport" being next take action. Get involved, join local action groups and, by the way, send some money to USSA also!