Some Maine Residents Are Voicing Concerns Over The Ethicacy of Trapping Animals

Trapping animals in Maine has been part of the state's longtime hunting heritage for as long as any of us can remember. And, every once in a while, some Maine residents voice their concerns over the ethicacy of this popular practice.

That is exactly what is happening right now in a coastal Southern Maine community. According to an article in the Kennebec Journal, some residents in the town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, are speaking up about the practice, however, the circumstances surrounding the trapping are fairly unique.

The KJ reports that an area farm, that borders some woodland walking trails owned by the town, has been setting traps to catch a growing number of coyotes in the area. Alewive’s Brook Farm, owned by Caitlin Jordan, has seen an area coyote pack start to become more brazen in recent month. So much so, that the coyotes are not only getting bigger, they're also beginning to get more comfortable in approaching people on the farm, including children.

Farm owners say that setting the traps to get rid of the coyotes is paramount in maintaining the safety of not only those on the farm, but people who use the nearby trails for recreation. The town of Cape Elizabeth recently took to social media to remind citizens that they should keep their pets on leashes when using the Great Pond Trails so that they don't wander off and accidentally get snafued in one of the nearby traps. This has some residents upset about the use of the traps.

The KJ reports that the traps, which are humane and only meant to hold the coyotes in place, are not set on any town property and are only set on the farmland. But people in the area are speaking out about wanting the traps removed, some even suggesting that residents, farmers and coyotes can coexist peacefully. However, the farm owners disagree.

Caitlin Jordan, owner of the nearby farm, said in part,

“There’s been quite a problem here in Cape Elizabeth in the last couple years. The reality is some people disagree with trapping and hunting in general. I’m not sure they realize how large the coyote pack is and how large the coyotes are becoming.”

Some people in the area have even taken to social media to say they're rethinking supporting this local farm in the future because of the fact they are trapping coyotes.

In Maine, you don't need a special permit to hunt coyote as it is open-season on them year round.