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Post by greggwny on Feb 15, 2024 7:48:08 GMT -5
From the NYDEC Trapping Regulations:
Suspension: This term applies to animals fully suspended in the air by means of the trap anchoring system (typically a chain, cable or wire). It does not apply to traps set in water or to traps that are directly and firmly attached to an elevated structure, such as a tree.
I'm not 100% sure how to interpret this regulation. Example; a 160 bodygrip on a running log set 4' off the ground. Do I need to wire the trap so a trapped fisher can fall to the ground after being caught? The part about firmly attached to elevated structure such as a tree is what I'm not sure about.
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Post by tony1967 on Feb 15, 2024 8:39:28 GMT -5
I read it as if the trap comes off the holder (thus off the tree) then some part of the animal must touch the ground. If the trap is still attached to the tree after firing, then it’s ok.
Of course I have no idea why that makes a difference or why it’s written that way.
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Post by trapperjack on Feb 15, 2024 14:24:02 GMT -5
This goes back to when footholds were used for fisher and marten. It still applies today even though conibears are used now a day for target animals. Conibears humanely kill the animal so I personally don’t understand it. Dead is dead. Even suspended. I could understand it when using footholds I guess. Needs to be rewritten.
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Post by jsevering on Feb 16, 2024 15:52:24 GMT -5
if you like to use a staple or two on the back jaw of the body gripper to stabilize and attach it to the pole or tree or just plain like to wire the back jaw of the body gripper securely to stabilize and secure it to the tree the reg is written perfectly... jim
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Post by greggwny on Feb 19, 2024 7:27:20 GMT -5
Good points from all, thanks!
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paintedpaw
Retired NYSDEC Lake George Ranger
Posts: 691
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Post by paintedpaw on Feb 20, 2024 10:59:45 GMT -5
In some other states a common method for catching pine marten is using foot gripping traps that when an animal is caught allows trap and animal to come off the pole leaving the animal suspended inhumanely alive by the foot, in midair. In NY body gripping traps kill animals instantly or very quickly thereafter.An animal caught in a trap that remains attached to the pole is considered to be legal. The key word in the regulation is "fully"and was very wisely included. Trappers, when setting running poles,should allow enough chain or cable for the animal to touch the ground, or set the trap in such a manner so that the trap can not come off of the pole.
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