My take on it is it is not neccesary to set baited conibear traps on the ground. Anybody tells me they have to use them because it is the best set, I have to say B.S.
There are alternatives to this set and it is hurting trappers to continue to defend it. If the state trappers organizations propose the restrictions they can basically write the law and be very selective about what gets made illegal. 220s,280s and 330s will kill a dog but not in an elevated set and likely not in an unbaited set. You could continue to allow 160s and under too.
Let the antis dictate the law and they will ban all traps or at best all land based conibears.
I also don't think this plays good with the public laying the blame on the owner. We may think so but that will not fly with the general public. You just can't expect every Tom, Dick and Harry to know how to open a conibear if that will even do any good. I have had many animals dead without movement in conis. That's fine with a bobcat but not so good with somebodies weiner dog.
And leash laws! Wake up folks! Coon dogs, cat dogs, bear hounds, bird dogs and you're telling me they have to be on a 6 foot leash. Get real!
