Cable Restraint Traps -- Be Prepared!!

[Garry L Gordon]

Yesterday while exploring some of North Missouri's private land/public access areas, our dog Rill was caught in a cable snare. Fortunately both Elaine and I carry cutters and were able to cut our dog out before she suffocated. It was a frightening few moments, and I shudder to think about the prospects if we had been further away from her.

The area prohibits traps of any kind. We were in an area with lots of Amish, and there were fresh horse tracks to the set area (horses are also prohibited on the property).

My advice: learn how these snares work...and carry the means to cut your pup out should she/he be caught.

I also carry a rope and handle devise I created to open a killer type trap. I still recall with great sadness one of our member's account of losing his pup to such a trap.

Be careful...Be Prepared!

[Chris Pope]

So sorry to hear you and Elaine had this experience. But your preparedness paid off. Did Rill have any serious injuries from fighting the snare?

[Brett Farley]

Thanks for the reminder. Like you I carry a pair of cable cutters for snare traps and rope for connibear traps. Spend some time watching videos and practicing on an actual trap. You never know when you’ll need it. Glad you were able to get her released successfully!

[Stephen Hodges]

I hope you reported this to the correct authority. I know they will probably never catch the idiot who set the snare, but a little sniffing around in that community will get the word out that they are being watched.

[Garry L Gordon]

So sorry to hear you and Elaine had this experience. But your preparedness paid off. Did Rill have any serious injuries from fighting the snare?

Chris, Rill is fine. A little blood from her mouth (trying to chew). When I got to her, I thought she was dead, but I think she had just calmed as animals will do in a trap. It was very scary. but she wanted to hunt after we got her out. Elaine and I were traumatized and headed to the truck.

We called the Conservation Agent. We flagged the remains of the set, sent him marked pins from OnX along with map photos. He promised to call us with reports of any progress. Our agents are pretty good folks. Besides being angry about the trap, it also makes me furious that I can't hunt this ground that has birds.

[Daniel Carter]

Ran my beagles in Maine for Hare with a group of locals that had no problem with snares. They said a leash broke dog will not choke itself to death in their experience but you have to find them. They all wore locating collars and if one stopped without the others they went to him. In Northern Maine snares were legal for coyote then. I still did not run my dogs up north.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I carry cable cutters also, despite their significant weight. Two types of snares are commonly used, many states east of the Mississippi require relaxing snares, they relax/open a little when the animal relaxes,, thus the critters are still alive when you get their. In the west, many states do not require relaxing snares, and the catch will suffocate.
What kind of cable cutters do you carry Garry, I'd like to find a lighter pair.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

My cable cutters. 5-6 mm cable is about as stout a cable used, this works on it. Side cutters more difficult to get under cable when tight. You may pinch/cut a little skin with these, but will be minor. Will be in my vest on upcoming SD trip.

[Garry L Gordon]

I carry cable cutters also, despite their significant weight. Two types of snares are commonly used, many states east of the Mississippi require relaxing snares, they relax/open a little when the animal relaxes,, thus the critters are still alive when you get their. In the west, many states do not require relaxing snares, and the catch will suffocate.
What kind of cable cutters do you carry Garry, I'd like to find a lighter pair.

Harold, I'll check my cutters later and post a photo. Elaine has a bit larger one.

Here's what has transpired after our report to the Conservation Enforcement Officer:

He called the landowner and was told that he'd giving permission to a local kid to trap. Apparently, the landowners can pretty much do what they want according to the Officer. He seemed frustrated. All of the signs and information regarding these public access lands clearly state that trapping is prohibited. We (strongly) suggested to the agent that the land be posted that trapping was occurring on the property.

In Missouri, it's illegal to destroy a trap or trap set. The one that caught Rill was destroyed. That set did not have a name tag which is required by law, and so, in my estimation was an illegal set, regardless of whether or not the landowner gave permission. It will be interesting to see if anything more comes of my destroying the set.

We only hunted a portion of the farm and found three coveys. It kills me not to be able to go back, and I will petition the state to deal with the trap issue. I seriously doubt anything will come of it. I support trapping and spent years trapping myself, but I will not knowingly risk the life or well-being of my dogs in an area where there are land set traps that might hurt or kill them.

[Dave Tatman]

Were you going to include a photo, Harold? And one of your cutters would be helpful, too, Garry……

Thanks for making us aware of such an issue, Garry. I never heard of snares being an issue in Northern Michigan, but I could certainly be mistaken on that? Are they used primarily for coyotes, or….?

Thanks,
Dave

[Dave Tatman]

Sorry, Garry. Cross-posting!

[Harold Lee Pickens]

My cable cutters

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Dave, thir is significant use of snares, especially for coyote in the UP and northern Michigan. I used to routinely run into them, they actually put up signs stating that there was trapping and snaring going on in the are
a.

[chris dawe]

We have the same problem up here ,it infuriates me ,stupid lazy irresponsible way to collect animals, ive gotten dogs caught three times now ,but ive always carried proper cable cutters ...these people ,think they're woodsmen ,for the sake of a 25 dollar coyote pelt,they risk my investment of years and family friend, they don't even mark the area where they set them

[Dave Tatman]

Wow. Thanks again for the heads up. Especially to you, Harold, for explaining they use these snares in Northern Michigan. I have a pair of cable cutters ready to go in my vest!

[Donald F. Mills]

Garry,
I am so very thankful that your experience had a positive outcome. I understand more than you know the terror you felt in the moment. Again, I am very thankful Rill is ok.

[chris dawe]

Guys ,my cutters fit easily in my vest and cut this shit like butter ,pm me and I'll put you on to them

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I'd be interested in seeing what you use Chris, mine are quite functional but heavy

[Ken Hill]

Garry,

Glad to hear everything worked out ok for Rill. I haven’t run into any traps on WIHAs in KS, but always worry about them.

Ken

[Garry L Gordon]

Here's what I carry. Smaller, but it worked just fine. Elaine has one a bit larger, just in case.

[chris dawe]

I had a few request for info so I'll just post here for sake of ease , they're like 16 bucks canadian, hopefully the link works
https://www.princessauto.com/en/wire-rope-and-spring-wire-cutter/product/PA0008380677?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7NO7BhDsARIsADg_hIZweoJYXy-e9VbIO8yHf1D44jAP-d1AIdjYd2on4Yn-8fbduY9e4yUaAhQXEALw_wcB

[Stephen Hodges]

Here's what has transpired after our report to the Conservation Enforcement Officer:

"He called the landowner and was told that he'd giving permission to a local kid to trap. Apparently, the landowners can pretty much do what they want according to the Officer. He seemed frustrated. All of the signs and information regarding these public access lands clearly state that trapping is prohibited. We (strongly) suggested to the agent that the land be posted that trapping was occurring on the property."

A quick google search indicates that it is NOT LEGAL to use a snare to trap unless it is underwater in your state. I would suggest that your Conservation Officer is either lazy or stupid if he does not know the laws on snares. I would not hesitate to contact him and point the law out and request that he find out the persons name and follow up with a summons, or you may need to talk to his supervisor. As this would make it an illegal snare and you were on the property legally you would be entitled to compensation if your property, ie, Dog, if he suffered harm.

[Dean Weber]

I had a few request for info so I'll just post here for sake of ease , thyre like 16 bucks canadian, hopefully the link works
https://www.princessauto.com/en/wire-rope-and-spring-wire-cutter/product/PA0008380677?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7NO7BhDsARIsADg_hIZweoJYXy-e9VbIO8yHf1D44jAP-d1AIdjYd2on4Yn-8fbduY9e4yUaAhQXEALw_wcB

This tool Chris Dawe shows is a Felco C7. It weighs 9.5 oz and will cut any cable snare I have seen. This is a great awareness thread! Thanks Garry, I am glad Rill is OK.

[Bob Brown]

Thanks for the link, Chris. That Felco C7 is much more compact and lighter than what I was carrying.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

I had a similar incident as Garry about 15 years ago. It was late grouse season in WV and about 6 inches of fresh snow. Was hunting Betty, the setter in my avatar on a public wildlife area where my RGS committee and I had done some small clear-cuts years before. Fresh snow, no tracks when Betty started whirling and biting--she was in a snare around her neck. Hard to control a panicked dog, couldn't get the snare off her neck. It was fence stapled to a tree, so I shot the cable off at the tree and was able to wrestle the cable off her neck.
That night I was attending a conservation banquet and told the story to my buddy. The gentleman across the table from me introduced.himself as the conservation officer for that county. He took a lot of info from me and said he was going to check out the area. He found more unmarked snares that hadn't been checked in days.
He called me, said he found out the person involved and ticketed him.
I didn't start carrying cable cutters however until several articles in Gun Dog, PDJ, etc wrote on the dangers of these new non relaxing snares popular out west.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

The Felco c7 cutters run about $50.

[Mike Koneski]

In PA we have to be certified to use cable restraints. I am certified to use them. Cable restraints are made to “restrain” the animal. Snares are made to kill. I’ve never had an animal die in a cable restraint. If your dog almost died in a trap it would have been a snare. Glad your dog is alright.

[Mark Britton]

Because of this thread Iv'e ordered a pair of the Felco C7 cutters. Never thought about snare traps,but my turkey dog has been caught twice in a leg hold steel trap set for coyotes. Luckily for me both times the trapper used padded rubber jaws an my dog started barking like crazy when caught. I got him out quick and no harm done. My THANKS to everyone for your posts.

[Kenny Graft]

I bought a set of cable cutters from Amazon 15.00 that cut 3/16 steel cable. Repurposed a Lether sheath and carry it on my 2 1/2 HD work belt with all my other safety/med gear. That belt comes in at 16lbs when I carry my 5" Ruger 1911 10MM. That is heavy rig and I am looking for ways to spread out the load. I want all the items with me when 2 miles in or more. No one will get to you very fast

[Garry L Gordon]

I've attached a very informative manual used by our Missouri Department of Conservation to train trappers in the use of cable restraints. It is very informative and might help you understand the cable restraint better.

In case you don't want to read the information, let me give you the not-so-surprising conclusion as to how to release an animal caught in one of these restraints (which are intended to not injure/kill an animal when set correctly): Cut the cable to release the animal alive.

https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/CableRestraintInstructionManual.pdf

[Dave Tatman]

Mark -

Where did you order those Felco C7 cutters from?

Dave

[Dave Tatman]

Oops, I just saw Chris’ link. Is that where you got them?

Dave

[John Dallas]

Dave - There is (was?) a trap warning sign at the intersection of North Down River Road and Wakeley Bridge Road ( where the old store was recerntly torn down and replaced by the big Bardominium)

[Brett Farley]

Dave - There is (was?) a trap warning sign at the intersection of North Down River Road and Wakeley Bridge Road ( where the old store was recerntly torn down and replaced by the big Bardominium)

Big D,
Remember that creepy mannequin that was in the window of that old store?

[Mark Britton]

Bought mine on Ebay about $60 if I remember right.

[Mark Britton]

$60 with shipping

[John Dallas]

Brett - sure do! Sounds like you spend time in God's country. Do you fish the Au Sable?

[Mike Koneski]

F&T Fur Trapper Supplies from MI has cable cutters.

[Chris Pope]

Since no one's mentioned it, may I assume that a pair of leatherman pliers with "hard wire cutters" will NOT be suitable for cutting the cable discussed above?

[chris dawe]

Since no one's mentioned it, may I assume that a pair of leatherman pliers with "hard wire cutters" will NOT be suitable for cutting the cable discussed above?
Not a snowballs chance in hell

[chris dawe]

The ones i posted and the link,are a cheap version from princess auto,similar to your guys Harbour freight

[Garry L Gordon]

Chris, I don’t know the capability of the tool you have, but the states set standards for the cables. Check the manual I posted and you can see that these traps must have cables that are flexible in order to be set properly. They are multi-strand cables. For those that I’ve encountered and seen for sale, heavy wire cutters will work…assuming all laws/regulations are followed.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Go to a hardware store and buy a couple feet of 5 to 6 mm aircraft cable, then try your cutters on it.
Also, if you think your side cuts will work, try slipping them under your choking dog, probably won't be able to get it under the cable. Bottom line, get real cable cutters.

[Chris Pope]

Thanks for the responses. We will spend the money and get the proper tool for the job.

[Mike Koneski]

Since no one's mentioned it, may I assume that a pair of leatherman pliers with "hard wire cutters" will NOT be suitable for cutting the cable discussed above?

No sir. Side cut dykes or linesman's pliers will not work either. It will be just as fast to chew through the cable.

Here's a link to the F&T catalog for cable cutters-

https://fntpost.com/category/tools

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Made a mistake on cable thickness used in coyote snares. 5/64 " is most common size used, occasionally 3/32 for bigger animals. 3/32" is about 2.4 mm

[Dave Tatman]

No sir. Side cut dykes or linesman's pliers will not work either. It will be just as fast to chew through the cable.

Here's a link to the F&T catalog for cable cutters-

https://fntpost.com/category/tools


Mike,

Thanks! I just ordered the HIT Heavy Duty cable cutters and sheath for my hunting vest from the outfit you suggested. Interestingly, that organization is in Alpena, MI, not far from my cabin.

The cable cutters, and my Dokken K-9 First Aid Kit from Gun Dog Supply will give me some peace of mind as I run my dog this summer, and going into next fall’s bird season.

Thanks again.

Dave