You avoided the comments I asked for.
I fear that far too many trappers get the cart ahead of the horse on these BMPs. BMPs are not responsible for
research and development. In fact, they are precluded from doing R&D work. (Too bad in my opinion.) The BMPs are undertaken to
"…identify techniques and traps that address the welfare of trapped animals…" (The bolding is mine.)
The key word here is "identify". The
vast majority of improvements to traps and techniques, in all aspects including animal welfare, have come at the initiative and through the efforts of trappers. We as trappers are the ones who have always been responsible for improved animal welfare -- not the government, not the manufacturers --
the trappers!So, if there is going to be continued improvement in animal welfare, trappers are going to have to come up with it so the government can "identify" it. If it ain't there, you can't identify it.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like fastening systems are under scrutiny. So, we are on our own here. Some folks, myself included, think that center swiveling leads to improved animal welfare.
I'll ask again, what are your thoughts on that?
-- Hal