Finding Trapped Animals

[Machias]

So how many of you have been out trapping or hunting and found someones set with a animal in it?  I have found 2 red fox and several coons in other guys sets.

[quadrafire]

Or just the opposite. How many have had sets stolen by others with animals in them.  :hello:Me I have. Had a kid bragging about it and his dad saw my trap with my name/address. He let me know. I was wondering where my set went.

[rasbo]

illegal bobcat trapped

[samo5685]

I have seen coons left in sets when my Dad and I ran a small line in Michigan.  You owe it to the animal to check your sets daily and not checking gives anti-trappers fuel for there cause.  Its a shame.

[seth30]

illegal bobcat trapped

  how can you tell?  i have no clue about trapping, so info on this would be great if we see the crime in progress

[Machias]

illegal bobcat trapped

  how can you tell?  i have no clue about trapping, so info on this would be great if we see the crime in progress

It was in WA AFTER the ban. 

I've had probably 10 traps stolen over the years, I know for a fact all 10 held animals.   

[samo5685]

In the State of Washington it is illegal to trap with any bodygrip, leghold, or snare.  Unless dealing with an animal problem.  So that cat caught in a leghold (coil-spring) is illegal.

[seth30]

that makes sense, so if you see those traps out there, or someone setting up or taking back the traps, you can call it in as poaching?

[Machias]

Depends, might be a Native American, or a WDFW authorized trapper or a NWCO....or a poacher.

[Kain]

Im sure most know this but for those that dont: It is illegal to touch someones trap unless it is on your property so if you find one just call it in.  Dont assume its illegal and remove it or animals from it.

[rasbo]

illegal bobcat trapped

  how can you tell?  i have no clue about trapping, so info on this would be great if we see the crime in progress

leghold steel traps after the ban,traps not checked,this trap wasnt checked for three days,no pads..no numbers or tag on it...I was gimping down a road on crutches to do some calling for bobs,saw this cat looking into the woods.I shot it behind the ear.when I got up to it I noticed it  was caught in a trap on about a 9ft wire.I knew it was illegal to take it out of a legal trap..So i called the game dept.After no call being returned,I went back there the next day to retrive the cat,but the belly had been eaten out of it.I photographed everything in the site.Two days later I get a return call from the game dept and we went back to the location.We found 5 more illegal traps,and one had A tag.The game officer said I should have taken the cat on day one when I shot it,,I said you should have called me back on day one so I would know it was ok..I never heard back on the outcome..