There ’ s a good chance no matter where you live you ’ ve heard some nasty things said about trapping . Animalrights activists and the anti-trapping movement dramatize how " vile " and " cruel " trapping is . They showcase startling images of animals caught in traps and spread alarming messages of animals breaking bones and chewing off their feet to escape the jaws of medieval torture devices — just one more outlet for modern media sensationalism .
I ’ ve been following the clamor here in Vermont , and I figured what I was hearing and seeing didn ’ t quite capture the entire truth about modern trapping . Knowing there must be more to the story , I set out to learn for myself what trapping is , but more importantly , what it isn ’ t . I joined a few local trappers on the trap line and connected with a handful of seasoned steel setters across the country to sort out fact from fiction . I hope the following roundup might inspire you to do the same wherever you call home , and I encourage you to engage in conversation the next time you hear a trapping myth being perpetuated .
Comparing an older foothold trap on the right to a newer and modified trap on the left , note the offset jaws and chain swivel that have been adopted to improve animal welfare .
MYTH 1
Trapping is unregulated . Let ’ s get right to it : Trapping might be the most regulated outdoor sporting activity in the United States . Most states offer or mandate a trapper education course prior to obtaining a trapping license . After that , there ’ s tagging of traps , structured seasons , required trap checks , distance , height and setback restrictions , and so much more . There ’ s no way to summarize it all , but here are a few generalizations , with references from the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies ( AFWA ).
States require private landowner permission to trap on private ground and have a myriad of stipulations when setting on state-owned land . For body-gripping traps ( a . k . a . conibears ) that are designed snap shut to instantly kill an animal , most states regulate how and where these traps can be set , along with jaw size and other restrictions . Some states require them to be in or under the water . When used on dry land , there may be
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