Traps

[Hunting7mm]

So yesterday I was hunting with my buddy and we decided to head to a secluded pond we hadn't hunted at all this year.  He hunted the upper end of the pond and I hunted the lower.  Birds were scarce and he ended up shooting one merganzer but then called me on the radio and asked me to head up to the upper end of the pond to check something out.  Now I've been hunting this pond for about four years and have never seen any sign of anyone else hunting it.  It's one of the ponds off the beaten path and basically pretty much hidden.  I made my way to the upper end and noticed where someone had been walking in to the area.  I met up with my buddy and he showed me an area that was all torn up and in the middle was a small tree that had been ringed from a piece of wire, about twenty yards away was another area torn up aswell. I called my dog and grabbed her by the caller and my buddy did the same with his lab.  We started looking around and found a leg hold trap covered in the moss next to a stump.  Now this trap was big enough if one of the labs stepped in it a broken leg would have been the least of our problem.  Anyways this is the second time I've been hunting and found a trap.  The first trap was last year at another pond in an area that had spent hulls from other hunters. Whoever put the trap out had to know people were hunting ducks in the area.  Just pisses me off to be putting out illegal traps around ponds where people are hunting with dogs!!!   

[predatorpro]

It would have to be a hell of a trap to break a leg, probly not a good spot to put them especially being illegal now do to tree hugging morons...hopefully u dont have any probelms with them...if it was me id put a stick in them...he would probly be smart enough to get them out of there when its obvious someone knows about them...im assuming there was no tag on them...

[Hunting7mm]

No tag and square style spring trap about 8 to 10 inches between the jaws.

[sakoshooter]

8' - 10" is almost bear size traps. I found one a few years back on private property illegally set after my lab got caught in it - drowning set but luckily I got to her before she ended up completely under water. No idea who's it was but it's been mine ever since.

[JODakota]

8' - 10" is almost bear size traps. I found one a few years back on private property illegally set after my lab got caught in it - drowning set but luckily I got to her before she ended up completely under water. No idea who's it was but it's been mine ever since.

Sound like a beaver trap to me.

[Hunting7mm]

I left the trap alone but will go back in a day or two and see if it's still there.

[JimmyHoffa]

It might be a tribal trap.  A lot more trapping and elk hunting this year due to later netting for steelhead.

[sakoshooter]

8' - 10" is almost bear size traps. I found one a few years back on private property illegally set after my lab got caught in it - drowning set but luckily I got to her before she ended up completely under water. No idea who's it was but it's been mine ever since.

Sound like a beaver trap to me.

My biggest wolf/beaver traps only measure 6" open. 8" - 10" is very large.

[Hunting7mm]

I was trying to estimate the size of the trap.  It was a big trap.  I have a couple leg hold traps I bought at a garage sale and the trap I saw was alot bigger.  It looked big enough to break my dogs leg. 

[JODakota]

You have very small wolf/beaver traps then. A Bridger #2 is 6 inches from jaw to jaw open. 8-10 is not a bear trap. Don't take the trap. That is theft. How do you know it's not permitted or a tribal trap? You don't. Naches, you say you'd trap off the beaten path but people travel all over. I try to trap off the beaten path and do my best to hide my sets, but even then people walk by or close to them. I understand your worries about your dogs and I own a bird dog that I've put  more money in training than I would care to admit, but trappers and bird hunters need to coincide. You'd be surprised at how many bird hunters come here, then get pissed off when their dog gets caught in a trap. You should expect it and be prepared. It's not the trappers fault. Carry a rope in your pocket and do some research on how traps work. It will save your dogs life. And I have yet to see a trap break a canines leg. If the trap is set illegally let the game department do their job and take care of it. Don't take matters into your own hands. There's plenty of nutjobs out there. Let the professionals handle them.

[billythekidrock]

You have very small wolf/beaver traps then. A Bridger #2 is 6 inches from jaw to jaw open. 8-10 is not a bear trap. Don't take the trap. That is theft. How do you know it's not permitted or a tribal trap? You don't. Naches, you say you'd trap off the beaten path but people travel all over. I try to trap off the beaten path and do my best to hide my sets, but even then people walk by or close to them. I understand your worries about your dogs and I own a bird dog that I've put  more money in training than I would care to admit, but trappers and bird hunters need to coincide. You'd be surprised at how many bird hunters come here, then get pissed off when their dog gets caught in a trap. You should expect it and be prepared. It's not the trappers fault. Carry a rope in your pocket and do some research on how traps work. It will save your dogs life. And I have yet to see a trap break a canines leg. If the trap is set illegally let the game department do their job and take care of it. Don't take matters into your own hands. There's plenty of nutjobs out there. Let the professionals handle them.

Well said.

[boneaddict]

 

[Humptulips]

While it might be illegal there are ways it could be legal. First off as had been said it could be tribal. Tribal members are not limited to cage traps so they can use a trap like this. I know there are several Indian trappers on the North end of the Peninsula.
Second, it is possible to get a special permit for a foothold trap from WDFW. They issue them all the time on damage complaints.
It is illegal to tamper with the trap no matter if it is legally set or not. This includes springing it with a stick. If you suspect it is illegally set you should leave it alone and contact WDFW.
I really doubt It has an 8 inch jaw spread. That is definitely getting into wolf trap size. Back in the day the largest legal foot trap in WA was 7 1/2" jaw spread. I had some and have been caught in them more then once. Nothing more then a sore finger. I doubt your dog would have more then a sore foot for a couple days.
I know you are worried about your dog and I understand but I think most people have an idea that traps are guaranteed to injure an animal and that is not the case.
If your dog were to get caught and you were there you could likely release it and the dog be just fine.
You should take the time to calm the dog and restrain it so it cannot bite you.

[AWS]

I just measured a No. 4 Newhouse and a No. 14 Victor and both are just 7" outside to outside set.  The only large square looking foothold I know are old Blake & Lamb double spring jump traps and I believe the biggest they came in was a No. 4.  Northwoods used to make what they call a square jaw trap but it was 6 sided, think stop sign shaped with 6 sides.

8 to 10" square looking sounds like someone tried to use a  Conibear on the ground.  Did it look like it was made of 5/16" round steel rod?

Diffinately call the warden on those traps.  If they are Conibears yes they are dangerous.

[CementFinisher]

Hump-

You're approaching this as if the dog will use logic like you and I would. Just like when they get caught in a barb wire fence many dogs will do more damage due to being scared and trying to get uncaught than the initial trap set or barb catch will have done. That's how the legs get broken, etc.

If set correctly with swivels it would be very unlikely that the dog would break its leg

[JODakota]

 

[Humptulips]

Hump-

You're approaching this as if the dog will use logic like you and I would. Just like when they get caught in a barb wire fence many dogs will do more damage due to being scared and trying to get uncaught than the initial trap set or barb catch will have done. That's how the legs get broken, etc.

Consider that the owner is going to be right there. He was bird hunting so its not like a stray dog. But even at that I've caught a number of dogs over the years and never seen a broken bone. Those were dogs that were out on their own so they were in the trap for a while.
I'm assuming this was something like a #4 or #14 jump or #4 or #48 Newhouse. Those were pretty common beaver traps and they are probably a lot of them still kicking around. I just can't see them breaking a bone. Even with a wolf trap I would consider it highly unusual to see a broken bone on even a much smaller dog. 

[Hunting7mm]

Thanks guys...  My dog didn't step in the trap.  Looking at the size of the trap I thought it could break her leg.  So now I know more than likely if she gets caught in a trap she's only going to be laid up for a few days.  I didn't see any tags on the trap and I didn't trip it.  I covered it back over in moss and left it.  I thought leg hold traps were illegal but sounds like you can get a permit for them. This was on state land.  Anyways thanks for all the info on traps I appreciate it.  Gives me a little piece of mind knowing these traps shouldn't break her leg.