Dear HCN,
Your cover article
pronouncing the death of trapping was premature (HCN, 4/12/99).
Here in Minnesota, voters last November passed a measure to amend
the state constitution to guarantee the right of Minnesota
residents to hunt, fish and trap. The measure passed by a lopsided
77 percent to 23 percent, despite editorials against the measure by
the three major newspapers in the state. Even in the Twin Cities
and surrounding suburbs, the measure passed by a 2-to-1
margin.
Poor voter turnout by a disinterested
public can’t be blamed – voter turnout was at record levels, due in
large part to the interest generated by the gubernatorial candidacy
of Jesse Ventura. Many hunting, fishing and trapping advocates from
other states have been in contact with those in Minnesota to
develop similar strategies for their
states.
Donald
Mitchell
Hudson, Wisconsin
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Trapping lives on.
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