Question for those of you who trap.

[Dale L.]

I was just wondering how you determine where to set your traps. I was hunting on public land the other day and had to free all three of my dogs from body snares. And I stepped on a steel trap and set it off. Needless to say I loaded the dogs up and got out of there. Now I know they have just as much right to trap there as I do to hunt there. But I would think maybe you would post some warning signs on the main path or something. I will add that this was right next to a gun range with a shelter. Ten yards from the shelter is a 20 foot wide path for the public to use. The steel trap was right on the path probably 30 yard from the shelter. The snares were at the edge of the path all within 100 yards of the shelter. While I was there a man came to the range with two of his grandchildren to let them do some shooting and I believe they were going to have a picnic there also. It just seems a little irresponsible to set traps that close to a heavily used public facility. Maybe I am wrong but just wanted to see what some of you thought.

[bucks better beagles]

Wow. That sounds awful. How are body snares set? I have also thought that it would be good for people to post a small sign on public access sites to let people know there are traps about. Sounds like this particular trapper didn't want to walk far.

[Dale L.]

The body snares are like a foot snare only they are set on paths and are vertical rather than horizontal so the dog,fox,coyote whatever it might be walks in and gets its neck or body snared. The more they fight the tighter the snare gets. One of my dogs was really having trouble breathing when I found him. I believe he would have died if I hadn't found him soon

[wireman252]

Here in Michigan it's illegal to set snares on public land. Most likely for this very reason. Also the trapping laws state that a name tag be affixed to each trap or snare used. This way , at least here, you could contact the owner of the traps or snares and let him know of the incident. Glad your dogs are ok.

[Househounds]

I learned alot about trapping from the post "SNARES AT ADDINGTON STRIP MINE GROUND" last year on this board. This topic seems to re-surface alot. I think it prettymuch covers it. Take a look...Big John was a big help.

[bluecollar beagler]

I know in ohio we have to have name tags on all traps and trapping season went out back in jan.

[BCBeagles]

Glad you got to your hounds quickly, we almost lost one to a snare this year as well!! They will kill in a hurry, but they seem inhumane to me?JMO

[RunninHard]

Here in Michigan it's illegal to set snares on public land. Most likely for this very reason. Also the trapping laws state that a name tag be affixed to each trap or snare used..

,This is 1 law I agree with

[wvbeagler74]

sorry to here that was you down on the amherst public hunting

[madcatter]

One problem with a sign is now someone is gonna steal your stuff now. Trap theft is a problem
Another problem is snares are generally hand made and therefore cost about a buck to make.several are generally set where they can be seen to be checked.
if one runs into traps its generally near easy checking areas near roads and parking.
whatever state this happened i would find a website trapping forum and share your expirence with them

[Mark H]

I know how u feel my wifes german shepard got caught in the neighbors steel trap cost me over 300 bucks to get him fixed up and i know the dog shouldnt have been over there but he could have at least told us they were there

[gfedor]

2Yrs ago in NJ, it hsppen to one of my females, she got
caught in a legally set snare. The trappers name, number
was on the tag. What can I do, he has the same right
that I do to be out there. I called him, he was very appolgitic
about the dog.

[Matt Wilson]

I trap only private land mostly my families land and nothing makes me feel worse than catching someones dog which has happened a few times the neighbors know I trap but still dont keep always keep there dogs in there own yard. Even though its not my fault I still feel bad have let one dog out of foot hold trap 3 times in one year I think it learened its lesson as I didnt catch him this past season.

[bigjohn]

Dale L.,sounds like you had a run in with an irresponsible or illegal person that just happens to be trapping.I looked up the regs for WV and see that you have to have written permission to trap WMA from the manager.Also it's against the law to set traps in paths from human and livestock traffic.Were the traps/snares tagged with the owners name and address?If not,I'm sure they knew their activities were not legal.I wouldn't hesitate to contact your game warden and report this matter immediatly.Also the snares have to be utilizing a relaxing type lock to prevent death of the animal caught.I've read where several hound hunters have had their dogs caught in snares that thought their dogs were near death.Unless the dog hangs himself over a fence or tree limb,this just isn't going to be the case.Sure your dog may sometimes appear choking,but any dog used to a leash or chain isn't going to choke itself to death.They may struggle to exhaustion or out of breath,but that's about it.Most of the time this happens because they are trying to get back in the hunt.Illegal and unethical people are involved in all types of sports,but please do not call them trappers.Any trap set to catch one of the wild K-9s has the potensal to also catch a dog.Ethical treatment for a trapped animal is foremost in most good trappers minds when making sets as we want no harm to come to the trapped animal,be it our intended traget or a nontarget species.You'll find when a person is involved in an illegal activity,they try to hide the fact,hence no trap tag saying who's trap it is.I hope your unfortuate run in with this type person doesn't put us trappers in a bad light.Trapping is a great management tool that utilizes a renewable resource the same as hunting and as sportsman,we need all to get along.

[bucks better beagles]

Big John: very reasonable, mature and responsible statement.