Cherry Valley Traps Found

[jackelope]

I've been told, and it's been mentioned in ths thread I think, that conibears are legal with a permit and if underwater and if on private ground. Is the private ground part not true? This is very public, very popular, very well used land.

[dmr400]

I'm not aware of a private ground restriction, but could be wrong.  I don't think anyone would argue that this was a very poor choice of set location, but just wanted to clarify that the trap itself is not necessarily illegal.

[Humptulips]

I've been told, and it's been mentioned in ths thread I think, that conibears are legal with a permit and if underwater and if on private ground. Is the private ground part not true? This is very public, very popular, very well used land.

If it is public property a special permit for a body gripping trap can only be issued if it is for public health and safety or to conserve threatened and endangered species.
Also padded jaw foot traps and leg snares can be authorized for studies but that does not apply here.
I doubt any of that applies or WDFW would know who was trapping there which apparently they do not.

Conibears are only legal on private property with a special permit and underwater.

Also I don't believe that trap would have  been legal in WA prior to 2000 when I-713 passed and HSUS basically rewrote the law. Of course those traps weren't around at that time so I'm not 100% sure on that.

[Happy Gilmore]

Not defending any poor choices the trapper may have made as to location, but I'm curious about something. It's been stated several times in this thread that the style of trap is illegal.  Where did that information come from? Conibear traps are legal in this state, provided a permit has been granted by WDFW and they are placed underwater.  Perhaps Happy Gilmore could respond? Not calling anyone out, but hate to see misinformation spread.

Officer Chandler and Area Biologist Manager stated that the trap was illegal.

[dirty24d]

Jackelope since u are very familiar with the spot referenced for where the trap was found maybe you can put this to rest and it's a stretch.....


Most of the valley lands in and around duvall area and cherry valley get superflooded annually. Wasnt cherry valley just completely submerged like a week or two ago?? Is it possible either the trap was placed while the water was still high and the person forgot to pick it up? Or and heres the stretch was it tethered to anything? If not is it possible it washed from one spot to where it ended up?

Just a few thoughts....

[Special T]

It does get flooded every year. HOWEVER it is not legal or smart to use this style trap on this piece of public land. Since it is very well marked, and anyone who is familiar with it would know it is a duck hunting area in the season and a training area in the off season. 

[dirty24d]

It does get flooded every year. HOWEVER it is not legal or smart to use this style trap on this piece of public land. Since it is very well marked, and anyone who is familiar with it would know it is a duck hunting area in the season and a training area in the off season. 

I 100 % agree. The place overflows with pheasant hunters and dogs every season. And there are always people there year round training and just walking dogs. Ive trekked all over the whole place jump shooting birds etc its kinda scary to think i could stepped in that.  It never once crossed my mind that there would be body gripping traps there.

[fast60eddie]

Last week there was a group of folks dog training at Cherry Valley. A dog got caught in an illegal leg clamp trap. Took Duvall Fire Dept. to show up to free the dog. Fish and Wildlife got the trap. We're trying to organize a group to go search for more to make sure no more dogs are caught. Anyone have any tips on the best way to spot locations for the traps? Would a metal detector work?

F&W is launching an investigation and it sounds like they have some solid leads and will be pursuing the guys responsible. There are also vet bills for the injured dog.

I take it nobody thought to snap a picture of the set. I would like see what someone  was doing?

[jackelope]

Jackelope since u are very familiar with the spot referenced for where the trap was found maybe you can put this to rest and it's a stretch.....


Most of the valley lands in and around duvall area and cherry valley get superflooded annually. Wasnt cherry valley just completely submerged like a week or two ago?? Is it possible either the trap was placed while the water was still high and the person forgot to pick it up? Or and heres the stretch was it tethered to anything? If not is it possible it washed from one spot to where it ended up?

Just a few thoughts....

The trap was found mid February. Before any recent floods. I don't think it would wash up from anywhere. It's a big steel trap and there is zero current there. I was wondering if it was a very old trap that somehow coincidentally the dog got stuck in...maybe it's been there a really long time....dunno...

I take it nobody thought to snap a picture of the set. I would like see what someone  was doing?

2 old ladies panicking about their dog and a couple firefighters struggling to get a trap opened and get the dog out... I suspect nobody even knew where the set was by the time anybody got there that would have thought to take a pic. Again, dunno for sure...

[Happy Gilmore]

One of our F&W Officers called me about this trap and answered a few more questions. The trap would have required a permit. No permits have been given for that style of trap in Cherry Valley Wildlife Area nor, would one "BE" given for a Conibear trap in that area. He said trapping permits are not allowed in Cherry Valley because it is a "wildlife area".

The trap was "modified" by someone as well which is why it required help getting it un-done. Something to the effect it was two traps welded together to form a single stronger trap. They were surprised that the dogs' leg was not more severely injured. I imagine that whoever set the trap, if trapping legally in another area will give themselves away because of the unique modification done to the trap..(that is just my investigative mind working)

With 100% certainty, the trap was illegal and the person who set the trap did not have a permit to use it. The trap was also set in a manner which did not follow legal trapping rules even if a permit was obtained.

Just to clarify what I was told.

[Humptulips]

All of these traps are modified. That is how they make them at the supplier. There is no factory turning them out. They take a 330, cut it in half slip a hollow tube over the cut ends of the jaws and weld.
They also sell kits to do the same thing.
Nothing unique about the trap.

[bear hunter]

 :sry:That sucks. I hope they catch the person. I'm sure there is more traps in the area. I was told by a buddy back in the day. You had to post warning sign in the area that you had traps sets. Is this true,and with a permit do you have to post a sign or something?

[rasbo]

:sry:That sucks. I hope they catch the person. I'm sure there is more traps in the area. I was told by a buddy back in the day. You had to post warning sign in the area that you had traps sets. Is this true,and with a permit do you have to post a sign or something?

its recommended,but not a law

[Happy Gilmore]

All of these traps are modified. That is how they make them at the supplier. There is no factory turning them out. They take a 330, cut it in half slip a hollow tube over the cut ends of the jaws and weld.
They also sell kits to do the same thing.
Nothing unique about the trap.

I was just passing along that the Officers said the trap was modified.