Turtle Trapping.

I have seen more habitat construction in the last 20 yrs that has to help the population. The marshes around here are full of snappers. I have seen 1 killed on a local Rd two yrs ago and that was a first for me. I have saved many over the yrs by moving down a side Rd ditch away from the pavement. My ponds here have quite a few of different sizes. Every spring / summer they nest on an island in the back and have fairly good success. I would say that birds, raccoons and possums are the main threat here and probably in southern Ontario

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Originally Posted by rfb

Not true at all. Habitat loss, food consumption, highway mortality are the main reasons

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All one needs to do is walk along turtle laying habitat. Not too many nests have not been dug up and eggs eaten.

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Originally Posted by trappermatt

Where is your proof that the snapping turtle in Ontario is in this position?

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"Proof" is complicated but here's the Ontario government's official story:

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What threatens it
It takes 15 to 20 years for a Snapping turtle to reach maturity. As a result, adult mortality greatly affects the species’ survival. During the summer, many turtles cross roads in search of mates, food and nest sites. This is risky for turtles as they are too slow to get out of the way of moving vehicles. Snapping turtles are also sometimes intentionally persecuted. Eggs in nests around urban and agricultural areas are subject to predators such as raccoons and striped skunks.

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Now to compare that to the blurb about a threatened turtle...

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What threatens it
The most significant threat to Canadian populations of Spiny softshell is habitat degradation, particularly due to riverbank stabilization, development along shorelines, changes in water levels, dams and recreation. Nest mortality can be very high due to human recreational activities at nest sites and nest predation by raccoons and foxes. Development and recreation may also be blocking access to nesting, hibernation, feeding and basking sites. This turtle suffers high mortality due to collisions with motorboats, trapping and incidental mortality from fisheries.

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...and an endangered turtle...

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What threatens it
Ontario’s Wood Turtles are at risk from habitat loss and degradation; predation by raccoons, skunks, foxes and pets; human activity such as illegal collection for personal pets or for the pet trade; and road mortality.
This turtle’s slow growth, late maturity and low reproductive success rate increases its vulnerability to all of these threats.

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...and there seem to be some running themes, and you're all somewhat right. Thing is, factors like skunks, foxes and slow maturity have always been around, so you gotta think the habitat and road issues are the trigger for their degraded status, even if those other things are making it harder to withstand them.

There is no proof, even the government has no idea, that's why they listed it as "at risk." it's a safety precaution because they have no means, or want to look into it.
in their own words, they have no clue how many there are, and even say it flat out.

http://www.registrelep-sararegistry....e.cfm?sid=1033

"The number of adults in Canada is not known..."

Here's the only scientific research quote they use
"long-term studies of two populations in Ontario have demonstrated that even large and apparently secure populations are vulnerable to even slight increases in adult mortality and do not recover quickly from declines."

nothing says they ARE in decline at all, just that they are vulnerable to it.

"The Snapping Turtle remains relatively abundant in eastern Canada"
And most importantly
"Reliable population size estimates of Snapping Turtles are extremely difficult to obtain. The number of adults in Canada is not known"

AKA they have no idea, so they're protecting it as a precaution because we know nothing, and have no data either way.

This is what I love about my fellow fishermen and hunters. Try and tell them a resource is headed for trouble and the only thing they can think about is that it impacts their ability to harvest.

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Originally Posted by rfb

This is what I love about my fellow fishermen and hunters. Try and tell them a resource is headed for trouble and the only thing they can think about is that it impacts their ability to harvest.

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Wow! I never read anywhere that all we can think about is the impact on us to harvest. As stated there has been tons and tons of habitat construction that helps not only the snappers but all wildlife. Us hunters and fishermen put more into habitat than any tree hugger could dream of. If your going to try and tell us something like you stated then prove it. The government has no solid proof, just like the deer herd numbers and the moose population. If you have some solid hard proof then let's hear it. If not then don't bad mouth your fellow fishermen and hunters

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Originally Posted by flytyermiller

Here's the only scientific research quote they use
"long-term studies of two populations in Ontario have demonstrated that even large and apparently secure populations are vulnerable to even slight increases in adult mortality and do not recover quickly from declines."

nothing says they ARE in decline at all, just that they are vulnerable to it.

"The Snapping Turtle remains relatively abundant in eastern Canada"
And most importantly
"Reliable population size estimates of Snapping Turtles are extremely difficult to obtain. The number of adults in Canada is not known"

AKA they have no idea, so they're protecting it as a precaution because we know nothing, and have no data either way.

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exactly !

As long as it is legal.... If we trust the MNRF for all other harvest restrictions , why not turtles?

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Originally Posted by rfb

This is what I love about my fellow fishermen and hunters. Try and tell them a resource is headed for trouble and the only thing they can think about is that it impacts their ability to harvest.

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Really , please provide the proof , I love it when people want to restrict harvest opportunities with no solid evidence , I asked you in a previous post where your proof was in regards to the snapping turtle populations of Ontario , I will ask again ? Instead of taking broad brush shots at other sportsman, some me the proof