The New York Department of Environmental Conservation announced last week that it would extend the emergency trapping regulations put in place at the beginning of the 2007 season. The regulations were adopted to avoid the incidental killing of dogs and other pets with conibear (body gripping) traps set on the ground for raccoon and fisher.
Body gripping traps have revolutionized trapping because they provide a quick, clean kill for most furbearers. Unfortunately, they sometimes have the potential to kill the occasional pet, when set in the wrong place. Trappers should always be aware of the potential for catching non-target critters and pets, and try to avoid such situations so that these regulations are not neccessary.
The emergency rules require specific dog-proof cubby sets when using body grippers, as well as a minimum setback distance from public hiking trails, among other specifics. The rules will be extended for about two months, and comments will be reviewed and permanent regulations put in place.
Read the list of emergency regulations here
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