Recreational trapping season runs from September, 2012 through May, 2013 in Montana. Tens of thousands of steel-jawed and snares traps are hidden on public lands. This season will be more dangerous than ever due to a new wolf trapping season from December 15 through February. This will add thousands more large, deadly 9-inch traps to the landscape.
Traps are not marked. Dogs are lured to them by the scent of bait. Footloose Montana recommends carrying heavy-duty fence cutters and extra rope to release traps. However the pain and panic an animal suffers in a trap may make it impossible to try to release your pet. You may have to take the trap and animal to a vet who can anesthetize the animal, or put it down, if necessary.
Footloose Montana is a nonprofit organization promoting trap-free public lands for people, pets and wildlife. It urges all pet owners, hunters, anglers, skiers and hikers to be aware of harmful, dangerous traps. Footloose Montana has received alerts this month of traps and snares on Squires Lane in Stevensville, the Florence fishing access on the Bitterroot River, Canyon River golf course and in a campground on Thompson River. In two instances, dogs were injured, one severely.
Traps can be legally set 300 feet from trailheads, 30 feet from a trail and 50 feet from the centerline of a public road.
However, traps set for predators such as coyotes and foxes can be set anywhere, on roads, trails and at trailheads all year long. Because of the hidden, indiscriminate nature of traps and snares, your dog may be in danger of getting injured or killed in traps and snares set on public lands and waters.
Reader Comments(0)