Trap Free Montana

Beaver are the most important mammal in North America for water conservation, wildlife habitat, and are our ally in fighting climate change. An estimated 85% of wildlife rely upon beaver and 50% of threatened and endangered species are dependent on the wetlands beaver create. They need to be respected and protected. It is scientifically unjust for the relentless unregulated recreational trapping of beaver to continue in our state of Montana.

Our efforts continue to educate the public about the vital role of beaver, a keystone species, and who are central to life. In addition to our "Importance of Beaver" billboard, we promote the use of non-lethal alternatives in addressing real or potential conflicts. These methods are proven to be cost effective with long term efficiency. A fund is earmarked for such efforts.

Our advocacy continues for the beaver in Beaver Creek Park, Havre, Montana, whereby the long standing reaction to them has been to trap and kill them, repeat. In response a fully funded grant in 2020 to the park was offered for a non-lethal demo project, but was denied by the park board and Hill county commissioners. Our outreach continues for the beaver, the wildlife, the park visitors, and the surrounding agricultural areas dependent on the water and wetlands the beaver provides.

Trap Free seeks to collaborate with many other interested parties and get many on board in support of the beavers across our vast state in which drought, temperatures, and fires have increased, whereas snow and water have decreased.

To learn more visit: https://trapfreemt.org/wildlife-species/beaver

A primary goal of Trap Free Montana and our affiliate, Trap Free Montana Public Lands (TFMPL) is to save the rare ~ 5 pound little swift fox.

Swift fox are shy, fast, nocturnal, members of the vixens, i.e. fox family, that live on the grasslands. Scientists refer to them as indicators of healthy prairies. The swift fox feed on grasshoppers, other insects, and rodents thereby benefitting the vast agricultural lands surrounding them. These highly curious little vixens, the size of a small house cat, are reportedly very easy to trap. Their pelt is worth about $7, equivalent basically to their weight. According to the Montana furbearer coordinator, swift fox are trapped for notoriety purposes.

With the use of widespread traps and poisons in the war waged against wild canines and prairie dogs, the swift fox was extirpated in Montana and believed extinct by 1969.

Swift fox have since returned to Montana from reintroduction efforts in the late 1980s -1990s across the border in Canada, where they remain protected. Swift fox were also re-introduced on a few Native American reservations in Montana. Listed as a candidate under the ESA in 1995, swift fox were later removed as their numbers and expansion began to improve.

The highest recorded swift fox estimated population in Montana ever reached was 523 in the 2005-2006 census. Per trapper's request a trapping season was opened on the swift fox in Montana in 2010.

The last census, 2014-2015, indicated a population decline of 33% to less than 350 swift fox remaining in Montana. Recent research finds their future is bleak. Habitat loss, severe winters, drought, and climate change, remain major threats for the swift fox.

Yet, despite our persistent opposition, the Montana trapping season on swift fox remains open, and has even been expanded into new areas.

Trap Free Montana and our partner TFMPL remain the only known non-profit organizations fighting for the imperiled swift fox in Montana.

Our work for this little fox has not and will not wane.

To learn more visit: https://trapfreemt.org/wildlife-species/swift-fox

Trap Free Montana exposes the hidden, secreted, historically unknown truths in trapping.
We address the many wrongs with trapping, give testimony for the targeted and non-targeted trapping victims, and pay towards their medical costs.
We reveal Montana's unregulated trapping, the loopholes and lax regulations.
We answer commonly asked questions regarding trapping and in keeping with our high standards for credibility.
We instruct people on how to look for signs of trapping and how to open traps and snares.
We promote and assist with non-lethal methods.
We share our ever-growing knowledge via social media, presentations, interviews, public speaking, guest columns, blogs, podcasts, handouts, events, and on our website. In doing so, we educate the public and increase public awareness about trapping.
Whereas a decade or so ago, Montanans did not know trapping still went on, it is evident, they no longer have any doubt and are growing in opposition.

Trap Free Montana offers a reprieve at times from the darkened and disturbing world of trapping.
We share facts, beautiful captivating photos, entertaining and informative videos of various wildlife species to foster an understanding and appreciation of them. This is an ongoing and growing project as there are many incredible and often misunderstood species out there.

Knowledge leads to caring, advocacy, defending, and to protecting.

Trap Free Montana is a well-known constant in giving verbal and written public comment to the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission on issues and proposals regarding trapping. Sometimes, we've been the only one. We are a voice for the voiceless to the powers that be, plus interested and related parties concerning trapping, i.e., city councils, county commissioners, legislators, animal shelters, federal agencies, outdoor clubs, reporters, attorneys, and environmental organizations. We conduct outreach to the Commission and Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks to advocate for wildlife and all impacted from trapping. We seek transparency, answers, and provide educational and scientific information to back our concern and position. We send out newsletters, action alerts, and social media notice on trapping related issues to educate the public and encourage them to provide public comment. We also offer rewards to help catch and convict wildlife poachers, especially for trapping violations.