Traps and Dogs

[mebco09]

I have heard some horror stories about what some of the traps out there will do to bird dogs.  Can someone enlighten me on what to do if a dog gets caught up in one.  I think they are called Conibear traps??  Never seen one in Washington, just paranoid I guess.....

[Machias]

In WA conibears can only be set completely under water.  However, if you did find your dog in one, you can wrap your leash around the spring and compress it (it would be tough to do)  There is a safety latch on the side of the spring that you would flip over the spring once it's been compressed.  Then you'd have to do the other spring.

[whitey]

In washington state the conibears must be set in water..
While doing Nuisance control work I would find My traps(330's) pulled and tossed in the pond.
The recovery of this equiptment was always a little dicey becauce if I had stepped on one the results would have been bad..
With the passing of Initiative 713 the chances of an non targeted animal getting caught up in the traps is slim.
If You are out and You see beaver/otter slides going into a body of water just stay away.
We are still allowed to use leg hold traps and they will badly damage a dogs foot..

RCW 77.15.194    (4) Nothing in this section prohibits the use of a Conibear trap in water, a padded leghold trap, or a nonstrangling type foot snare with a special permit granted by the director under (a) through (d) of this subsection. Issuance of the special permits shall be governed by rules adopted by the department and in accordance with the requirements of this section. Every person granted a special permit to use a trap or device listed in this subsection shall check the trap or device at least every twenty-four hours.

[Machias]

We are still allowed to use leg hold traps and they will badly damage a dogs foot..

That's not exactly true, unless the dog is in there for hours and hours.

I am going to do a short video in the next day or so and post it on youtube...unless there is one already on there, showing how to get your dog out of a conibear and a leghold.

[whitey]

Machias
And what part isnt exactly true.
I have pulled everything from coons to beaver to bobcats to coyotes out of the new traps We as Nuisance trappers are authorized to use and the cushioned jawed traps blast their feet.
A standard leg hold trap does less damage to animals foot by far over the cushioned jawed traps.
Look forward to the video.
Whitey..

[Machias]

Sorry I misunderstood you, you are 100% right on the padded traps doing much more damage than traditional legholds.  Sorry I thought you were saying if your dog steps in a leghold they receive serious damage right away.  My mistake.

[mebco09]

OK- Look forward to watching the videos.  Probably a good thing to know how to do.  Can a Lab size dog get caught up in a Conibear?  Seems to me the story I heard about was a beagle. 

Also, not trying to cause an issue with trappers, as I do believe that they help the upland bird hunters by getting rid of predators. 

[rasbo]

Is it required in WA for trappers to post the orange triangle signs around their sets? I have heard of this before as a warning to others that there are traps in the area. 

no they suggest it,but here your traps would get ripped off

[rasbo]

here is how to set a conibear,pay attention to the springs,,and how to set with rope
Conibear 220, 280 and 330 Set with Basic Setters

setting a conibear trap with rope method

[whitey]

Hey rasbo Lets make a video of how to remove one with Your arms in it..
 
I think we all have heard the story about the trapper that that happened to..
The Old timers used to wrap a stich of cord around their waste in case of an emergency..
Very good videos.

Nice job.

Whitey..OUT!!

[mebco09]

Ok, forgive my ignorance, does the animal have to stick its head into the square part of the trap?

How would you find these baited in the wild?

Looks like it would be pretty tough for a dog to get caught up in one of these- are the stories just freak accidents and not to worry?

Thanks in advance for your help...

[whitey]

You can place them in slides.The animal will come down the trail and if the trap is placed correctly it does put its head thru the trap tripping the trigger/dog and Bammm..Done..

You can also place the small ones into tunnels of like for example.Mt Beaver..The little Coni's reak haveck on them..

You can also use them on Bobcat and those kindof animals in cubby sets.A cubby set is just that a man made cave or cubby.Or made out of buckets..
They are a trap a person wants to have on Hand..Love them almost as much as I like snares..Almost..
Snares rule the trap line for ease of setting and lack of equiptment need.Plus everything is prey.If they are set correct.

Not a bad question at all.