Cable Restraint Traps -- Be Prepared!!

[mobirdhunter]

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!

[Steve 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.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

[Woodcock survey]

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 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 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.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by 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, 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.

[Kentucky Bird Hunter]

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