Letter to the Editor: Vote no on trapping initiative

Dear editor,

On Nov. 8, 2016, the electorate will cast their vote for or against I-177, banning trapping on all public lands in Montana.

Public lands defined in I-177 as “all federal, county, city owned land in Montana including public lands leased to private parties.”

Contained in I-177:

• Persistent animal problems will be determined by Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and they will use alternative methods of animal removal, including fladry, guard dogs, range riding, temporary fencing and/or relocation of person or property in a predator den area. This means the rancher moving his livestock— which is on land he is paying the state to lease — to another area.

• Who will benefit by the passage of I-177 — Animal rights groups.

• Who will lose by the passage of I-177 — Farmers, ranchers, sportsman, taxpayers, state agencies involved in removal of problem animals, state and county park users.

In conclusion, please obtain a copy of I-177, read it, see if passed into law how it would affect Montana and, more importantly, you as a citizen.

This is not a common-sense initiative, but one based on emotion rather than proper management of Montana’s resources and land.

Vote no on I-177

Fran Buell

Gildford