would this be legal?

[h20hunter]

I'm with you adam.....in that case I would have to assume that the intent of putting up an antler trap is clear....the intent of your fence is not....now...if you chase the critter into the fence with your truck...maybe 

[jackmaster]

ah there you are outdoorguardian, this is a legality question for you or bigtex, i just didnt want to start a new thread and this looks like a good spot to ask, if it WAS legal to bait bears, would it be legal to use a hand made spear that you throw to dispatch said bear? i only ask because maybe we could get baiting back if the only legal hunting method would be hand crafted spears, this way the green peacers would be happy with the fact that maybe some hunters would get themselves killed , it would be an awesome challenge as well.

[pianoman9701]

you make a valid point h20hunter but by that logic if a deer's antler gets caught in my fence and I pick up that shed does that mean I'm harassing wildlife?  Technically it wasn't natural and my property caused it.  I understand what Outdoor Guardian was getting at I just feel like that is an interpretation of the law and not a set in stone answer.

Since outdoor guardian is LE for the DFW, I would probably take him at his word on this one. Thanks OG for weighing in. We appreciate the LE perspective on this.

[bigtex]

you make a valid point h20hunter but by that logic if a deer's antler gets caught in my fence and I pick up that shed does that mean I'm harassing wildlife?  Technically it wasn't natural and my property caused it.  I understand what Outdoor Guardian was getting at I just feel like that is an interpretation of the law and not a set in stone answer.

Since outdoor guardian is LE for the DFW, I would probably take him at his word on this one. Thanks OG for weighing in. We appreciate the LE perspective on this.

 

I think what people need to understand is that laws (especially fish and wildlife laws) are different from state to state. I know there are some commercially sold devices which have feed in the center and the deer/elk places their head in the device and the rubber (i believe it is rubber) tubing "catches" the antler and in a way removes the antler from the animal. So I assume in some states it is legal. And while these devices aren't explicitly illegal under state law, the end result is. In order to posess antlers they must have been shed naturally, and creating/placing a device to cause the removal of the antler would not follow that law.

[h2ofowlr]

I have seen this done for whitetail, but it's usually a larger pen and they place the food near the edges of the net.  You only want the horns to catch and not the entire animal.  I wouldn't deploy until the animals start dropping horns.

[jackmaster]

you make a valid point h20hunter but by that logic if a deer's antler gets caught in my fence and I pick up that shed does that mean I'm harassing wildlife?  Technically it wasn't natural and my property caused it.  I understand what Outdoor Guardian was getting at I just feel like that is an interpretation of the law and not a set in stone answer.

Since outdoor guardian is LE for the DFW, I would probably take him at his word on this one. Thanks OG for weighing in. We appreciate the LE perspective on this.

 

I think what people need to understand is that laws (especially fish and wildlife laws) are different from state to state. I know there are some commercially sold devices which have feed in the center and the deer/elk places their head in the device and the rubber (i believe it is rubber) tubing "catches" the antler and in a way removes the antler from the animal. So I assume in some states it is legal. And while these devices aren't explicitly illegal under state law, the end result is. In order to posess antlers they must have been shed naturally, and creating/placing a device to cause the removal of the antler would not follow that law.

bigtex or outdoor guardian, you guy prbably didnt see my question, ididnt put it in a very good spot, but since this is a legality type thread can i ask you guys this, If BAITING WAS LEGAL AGAIN, would it be legal to make a handmade spear and spear a black bear, a spear that has to be thrown by hand, i ask because maybe we could get baiting back and this would also make the greenies happy because they would see it as a chance for a hunter to get picked off, thank you

[bigtex]

if it WAS legal to bait bears, would it be legal to use a hand made spear that you throw to dispatch said bear? i only ask because maybe we could get baiting back if the only legal hunting method would be hand crafted spears, this way the green peacers would be happy with the fact that maybe some hunters would get themselves killed , it would be an awesome challenge as well.

No because it wouldn't be a legal hunting method (modern rifle, archery, crossbow, etc). Several years ago someone in Pierce County was busted for spearing a bear. In order for it to be legal the commission would need to legalize the method.

[ellensburgpo]

Wouldn't it make sense to contact the prosecutors office in the county that you're planning on doing this in as ultimately their opinion is going to be the most important? 

[Old Man Yager]

Don't take this the wrong way, but have you heard of hiking around and finding a shed? If I saw an antler trap, I think I would wreck it. To each his own, I guess.

[Maverick]

Don't take this the wrong way, but have you heard of hiking around and finding a shed? If I saw an antler trap, I think I would wreck it. To each his own, I guess.

Would you wreck someones trail cam while you were at it?

[buglebuster]

 

[pianoman9701]

Don't take this the wrong way, but have you heard of hiking around and finding a shed? If I saw an antler trap, I think I would wreck it. To each his own, I guess.

Would you wreck someones trail cam while you were at it?

Trail cams are legal for use in WA. There's no viable comparison here.

[Maverick]

Don't take this the wrong way, but have you heard of hiking around and finding a shed? If I saw an antler trap, I think I would wreck it. To each his own, I guess.

Would you wreck someones trail cam while you were at it?

Trail cams are legal for use in WA. There's no viable comparison here.

Yes there is. Not all shed traps harrass deer. As long as they dont injure the animal and the horns are falling off naturally while at the feed then its nothing more than a feeder.

So everyone I guess if you do build a shed trap just call it a feeder on here for now on. That way no one gets upset that someone else is trying to save a mile on his boots.

[pianoman9701]

Don't take this the wrong way, but have you heard of hiking around and finding a shed? If I saw an antler trap, I think I would wreck it. To each his own, I guess.

Would you wreck someones trail cam while you were at it?

Trail cams are legal for use in WA. There's no viable comparison here.

Yes there is. Not all shed traps harrass deer. As long as they dont injure the animal and the horns are falling off naturally while at the feed then its nothing more than a feeder.

So everyone I guess if you do build a shed trap just call it a feeder on here for now on. That way no one gets upset that someone else is trying to save a mile on his boots.

Again, no, there's no viable comparison. Whether they hurt deer or not, if it's an antler trap, it's illegal in this state - the law is quite clear as stated above. Justify it anyway you want to, but it's still illegal.

There's a huge difference between becoming upset, as you put it, and informing your hunting friends about the hazards of breaking a law. You now know it's illegal Maverick because you've been informed by your hunting buddies here (and the law) that it is. Our job as a fellow hunters is done. If you still set out an antler trap and get caught, it's your butt in the trap. Why you're unable to put that mile on your boots to go out and look for antlers the "old fashioned way" is anyone's guess, but best of luck to you in your antler pursuits.

[Maverick]

So then anytime anyone has out any kind of feeder it an antler trap? If i go put out a bag of corn and then cover it with hay so the deer have to dig down to the corn with their horns than that's an antler trap? There are plenty of ways someone could build an antler trap without it hurting the animal in anyway. Basically youre attracting the deer to an area and as they come back often and their horn gets ready you hope it falls off where you want or close. Nothing is making that horn fall. Granted there are some traps that could be dangerous to an animal and shouldn't be used. But that doesn't make them all illegal. Horns fall when they want to fall. No one is making them. No different then when a buck rubs a tree to knock a horn off or jump a fence.