The letter from the president of the New Mexico Trappers’ Association uses the words ‘ethical’ and ‘ethics’ several times about trapping (“Encourages Prosecuting Trapper,” Nov. 7, page A7).

Yet trapping is inherently not ethical. Traps are mindless instruments left hidden and unattended where they can slam shut on any hapless creature that stumbles into them. Only chance determines the injuries a trap will inflict. Those injuries can include everything from bruising, laceration and bone fracture from the capture moment itself to joint dislocations, broken teeth and self amputation from the animal’s struggle afterwards.

How is it ethical for a single trapper to kill as many bobcats, foxes, badgers and other ‘furbearing’ species each year without limit in order to profit from the sale of their body parts? We don’t allow this for deer or elk why do we allow it for these animals?

It isn’t…