trap theft

[bigjohn]

Had a buddy call last night and seems like the trap thieves are at it again this year.

Nothing worse than a thief in my opinion. I guess they probably make more money stealing from others rather than work for it.We are lucky to have an agent that will go to lengths to help find them,but unless you actually catch them in the act,not much can be done. Bad thing is his kids were the ones they stole from. What kind of a lesson is that to pass down to our youth?

[login]

Didn't know you had a buddy :-)

Anyway, Trap theft will never stop, if they find them they will take them. I know how it feels for someone to take my traps, makes me feel like turning the other cheek and be a better person then the thief, not really, but anyway.

You ask "What kind of a lesson is that to pass down to our youth?", I say a good lesson. If you don't like it when a thief takes your stuff, then don't be a thief and take others stuff.

[kcdavis]

a theif is only as good as there teacher people aint born theives if they would of got tought rite when young

[robertw]

It would be nice if the agents would set up a sting operation in each county yearly in known trap theft areas.

[vikesbull]

won't even deal with it here. directs me to sheriff who is a useless and does nothing.

[tjm]

Thieves and liars have always been a part of living and always will be. It's in the DNA. Some of us suppress the urge or did not have that gene as a dominate, but laws and or enforcement will never change the situation. 2000+ years of recorded history have proved that you cannot legislate morality.

50 years ago I sat on a bluff top over looking a half mile of creek and watched as seven men each checked all the same traps; first man took the coon and reset the trap. All local and apparently honest men in all other respects. Men that I knew. Made a woods trapper out me right then.

I'd say in most cases it takes a trapper to spot a trap that does not have a catch in it and that indicates that most trap thieves are or have been trappers. Average joe doesn't glance at a piece of real estate and pick likly locations the way trappers do. Or see the tell tales of a set.

[login]

Yea, the MDC more or less told me if I wanted it reported, go to the police. I said to myself, whatever.

[tjm]

Theft is a civil matter not a game violation, sheriff or police are the right folks to report it to. Petty theft won't be investigated though. Some $ ammount turns it into grand theft which they investigate. Look at it as overhead, every bussinesss has some loss.

[robertw]

Tjm,
Going to disagree with you. True theft is theft., however ......they are interfering with ghe legal harvest of wildlife. Absolutely no different than harassing deer away from a deer hunter!!! Further more this is a commercial harvest of wildlife and as such these theives should be held accountable for the lost income / value of the targetted animal!!!!

If the MTA wanted to do something for trappers in Missouri they need to be dealing with the MDC and getting this corrected.

[tjm]

On a personal level I agree completly, Robert. I'd even say theft of game, fox in trap, deer in tree,etc, should be treated like poaching, I think petty theft of $100 of tools from a carpenter or mechanic should be investigated as though it was $30000 because of the loss of income. In principle theft of $1 is the same as theft of $1 million.
Some times though real life is real.
I've had $100's of tools stolen on a few ocasions and the deal is show the LEO reciepts of $xxxxx and pics of tools and they will get right on it. LEO's have the problem of getting prosecutors to take things to court, even with evidence in hand. Wardens & COs have to go through those same prosecutors.
These folks all have budgets and have to balance costs against results.
My $12 trap is a tool and as such is treated the same as my $40 hammer. Or my $600 saw.

Not a matter of liking the situation, just kinda like judging the wind before I pee. Some times it Is better to turn your back to things like the wind and lawyers. imo, of course..

[bigbob]

Catching a trap/fur thief isn't very sexy or career enhancing.

[bigjohn]

Robert,dispatching or taking fur out of someones trap IS a wildlife violation. Stealing the trap isn't,it's civil.
You use deer hunting as an example,well if someone steals your deer rifle,do you report it to your game warden or sherrif?

[robertw]

Bigjohn,
Your changjng the subject. If they take a trap or in anyway mess wifh my trap so it is not as 100% functional like I left it they are interfering with my legally harvesting this resource!

The value of the trap is generally the least important issue involved. Two years ago these coon were a $40 average. If a meat market is involved that value is in addition to the $40.

The trapper is out mileage, labor and the catch! Then you add in the additional time involved dealing with law enforcement handling the situation.

[tjm]

Value of under $500 it's misdemeanor, like spitting on a sidewalk or J-walking, not going to get many proscutors interested.

[bigbob]

Trap/fur theft should be covered under the "Hunter Harrasment" laws.

[robertw]

With the price of leased ground or a guided hunt in many instsnces hunter harassment is a felony.

[motrapperjohn]

Well heck try dealing with the theft of several million $ worth, seems like about half the trappers out there condone buying stolen traps but raise heck when their traps or an animal gets ripped off.