Seriously?...Mole Trapping Illegal in Washington

[Coastal_native]

I bought one of those scissor style mole traps a few days ago. I had plans of ridding myself of the little monster that's been ruining all my hard work, so I started researching on-line for some trapping tips and found out that mole traps are illegal in WA...since 2000.  I'm sure it's probably already been brought up on this forum, but I hadn't posted anything note worthy in awhile....and I still haven't.  I suppose I need to contact a nuisance wildlife trapper?

Seriously...illegal mole trapping...I mean seriously, c'mon Washington.  That piece of legislation isn't worth the paper it's written on.  My second idea involved a lawn chair, a spot light, a pitchfork, and a six pack.

[TheSkyBuster]

It's only legal if you use live traps right? 

[Coastal_native]

Where's Bigtex when you need him...or one of our trapper experts.

I thought what I read said "body gripping" traps.  Examples being the scissor and spear styles. 

I hope you're right.  I want the little sucker dead, not in a cage.  I'm not gonna kill all the earth worms and grubs in my yard just to rid myself of a mole either

[TheSkyBuster]

RCW 77.15.194
Unlawful traps — Penalty. 

(1) It is unlawful to use or authorize the use of any steel-jawed leghold trap, neck snare, or other body-gripping trap to capture any mammal for recreation or commerce in fur.

     (2) It is unlawful to knowingly buy, sell, barter, or otherwise exchange, or offer to buy, sell, barter, or otherwise exchange the raw fur of a mammal or a mammal that has been trapped in this state with a steel-jawed leghold trap or any other body-gripping trap, whether or not pursuant to permit.

     (3) It is unlawful to use or authorize the use of any steel-jawed leghold trap or any other body-gripping trap to capture any animal, except as provided in subsections (4) and (5) of this section.

     (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.

     (a) Nothing in this section prohibits the director, in consultation with the department of social and health services or the United States department of health and human services from granting a permit to use traps listed in this subsection for the purpose of protecting people from threats to their health and safety.

     (b) Nothing in this section prohibits the director from granting a special permit to use traps listed in this subsection to a person who applies for such a permit in writing, and who establishes that there exists on a property an animal problem that has not been and cannot be reasonably abated by the use of nonlethal control tools, including but not limited to guard animals, electric fencing, or box and cage traps, or if such nonlethal means cannot be reasonably applied. Upon making a finding in writing that the animal problem has not been and cannot be reasonably abated by nonlethal control tools or if the tools cannot be reasonably applied, the director may authorize the use, setting, placing, or maintenance of the traps for a period not to exceed thirty days.

     (c) Nothing in this section prohibits the director from granting a special permit to department employees or agents to use traps listed in this subsection where the use of the traps is the only practical means of protecting threatened or endangered species as designated under RCW 77.08.010.

     (d) Nothing in this section prohibits the director from issuing a permit to use traps listed in this subsection, excluding Conibear traps, for the conduct of legitimate wildlife research.

     (5) Nothing in this section prohibits the United States fish and wildlife service, its employees or agents, from using a trap listed in subsection (4) of this section where the fish and wildlife service determines, in consultation with the director, that the use of such traps is necessary to protect species listed as threatened or endangered under the federal endangered species act (16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq.).

     (6) A person violating this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.









RCW 77.15.192
Definitions. 

The definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 77.15.194 through 77.15.198.

     (1) "Animal" means any nonhuman vertebrate.

     (2) "Body-gripping trap" means a trap that grips an animal's body or body part. Body-gripping trap includes, but is not limited to, steel-jawed leghold traps, padded-jaw leghold traps, Conibear traps, neck snares, and nonstrangling foot snares. Cage and box traps, suitcase-type live beaver traps, and common rat and mouse traps are not considered body-gripping traps.
     (3) "Person" means a human being and, where appropriate, a public or private corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, a government, or a governmental instrumentality.

     (4) "Raw fur" means a pelt that has not been processed for purposes of retail sale.

     (5) "Animal problem" means any animal that threatens or damages timber or private property or threatens or injures livestock or any other domestic animal.

[GrainfedMuley]

C'mon....Rasbo has not responded yet?  He's the mole master.     or try this....

http://www.rodenator.com/

Much more fun   

[runamuk]

C'mon....Rasbo has not responded yet?  He's the mole master.     or try this....

http://www.rodenator.com/

Much more fun   

Rasbo left for Lyons ferry for catfishing he will be back next week I am sure he will chime in then
but yes the mole traps you buy at feed stores are actually illegal to use...this state is awesome huh 

[BobW]

Coastal_native  This waste of paper was brought to you by the voters of the state of Washington.

It was done in the same law the made it illegal to trap bear or bait bear, or run them with dogs, same with cougar.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

This is what happens when we give away our rights. It wouldn't even surprise me if some hunters who don't agree with trapping (I have met them) voted for this law. Lesson Learned: When something is on the ballet involving hunting and you are about to take away your own and others rights without any solidly proven gain for the animal....don't.... even though it may be a method you might not prefer (like trapping/dogs)

[Machias]

Coastal_native  This waste of paper was brought to you by the voters of the state of Washington.

It was done in the same law the made it illegal to trap bear or bait bear, or run them with dogs, same with cougar.

Actually it was a seperate law, I-713 in 2000, the ban on hounds and baiting was in 1996, I 655.   

[pianoman9701]

There's a well thought out law. Not!

[THunt]

Put a garden hose in the hole and stand by with a shovel.  Don't think they have outlawed that yet.  Just don't go over your possession limit!!

[Hunterman]

A .410 works great..

Hunterman(Tony)

[Oldguy]

When the law was passed, a professional mole eradicator in Mercer Island tested the validity of this ridiculous statute and ended up out of business. Next thing will be a law against using worms for bait unless they are humanely killed prior to sticking them with a hook.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

A .410 works great..

Hunterman(Tony)

Don't forget the lawn chair.  My grandfather used to do that.  Sit near the mole hill with the .410 and wait for some new dirt to push up and BLAM.  No more mole.

[Houndhunter]

it should be noted that no that law was not brought to us by our citizens, however our citizens were the ones that  voted on it. I think you'd be hard set to find some one that would write you up. Hell the govener still used them around the capital until a year or so ago