A Code for Responsible Trapping
Last Update/Review: June 3, 2002
During trapping operations, trappers should
- show compassion for the animals they capture;
- develop skills so that furs are properly prepared for market;
- know and practise proper releasing and killing methods;
- record all trap-set locations and captures of furbearers;
- dispose of animal carcasses properly; and
- report the presence of diseased animals to a Fish and Wildlife district office.
Trapping Devices
Trappers should make sets that are designed to capture only the intended furbearing species. They should make only as many sets as they can handle effectively.
- A padded-type trap should be used for those animals where no effective kill-type device is available.
- Traps or snares should be anchored securely enough that they will hold the largest animal that they can catch.
- Foothold traps, when attached to a solid anchor and set on land, should have a centre-mounted, swivelling, short chain (no longer than 30 cm, or 12 in.). The chain should include a shock absorber.
- Snares must normally be equipped with proper lock devices.
- Slide-wire sets must be equipped with a lock. The slide-wires and weight must be properly anchored, and set in water that is deep enough to ensure that the largest animal that may be captured will be totally submerged.
- Underwater sets should be used to harvest beaver, muskrat and otter. Slide-wire sets are also acceptable for beaver and muskrat.
- Only kill-type trap sets are to be used to harvest furbearers other than wolf, coyote, fox, lynx and bobcat.
Community Relations
To foster and maintain good relations within their communities and to gain public support, trappers should
- respect the rights and property of others;
- protect and conserve wildlife, and wildlife habitat;
- help farmers and other landowners who are having problems with nuisance animals;
- encourage and support trapper education and public awareness programs;
- support trappers' and other wildlife conservation organizations;
- support and cooperate with government wildlife agencies; and
- report illegal activities.
