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I I I 2 " In this era of television, pot, and teenage alcoholism, it is important that we not foreclose on any opportunity that the children of our suburbs have to indulge in wholesome alternative activities such as fishing, hunting, or trapping. Yet that is exactly what Ordinance 445 does. I know of no other Ordinance that hinders the sport, recreation, and enjoyment of our citizens without providing a single benefit to anyone. Even the imagined anguish to wildlife that the Ordinance is supposed to prevent is highly exaggerated. Most traps are set such that the animal caught drowns quickly. Furthermore, if a furbearer is not caught.at all, chances are excellent that its natural death will involve being torn apart by an owl, a dog, or some other predator. Or it may starve slowly, freeze to death, or suffer disease and starvation. Nature knows nothing about humaneness; rare is a wild animal that dies a peaceful death. Thus 1 ask the City Council not to turn its backs on our young sportsmen and women. Trapping season opens in early November. Let us repeal Ordinance 445 as soon as possible and allow our young citizens to participate. .,. Thank you for considering this request. Sincerely yours, fJic-:::~~ 663-4405 P. S. --The Following professional ecologist has agreed to testify for repeal of Ordinance 445 and to represent our interests in that regard: Dr. L. David Mech, 1315 -66th Ave., N.E., Fridley, MN 55432 (574-1197). Dr. Mech is an agjunct professor in the Dept. of Ecology and Behavioral Biology, University of Minnesota, and a wildlife research biologist for the U. S. Fish &: Wildlife Service.