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AUGUSTA — The state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is reminding those enjoying Maine’s outdoors that it’s trapping season and trappers may be using the same private or public land.
Trapping provides many benefits to both people and wildlife populations, and trapping regulations are strictly enforced by Maine game wardens.
It is against the law to disturb traps, disturb any wild animal caught in a trap, or shoot an animal that is caught in someone else’s trap.
Unleashed dog’s may get a foot stuck in a trap — but the traps used in Maine hold an animal’s foot but are not designed to cause harm or pain to the species. Biologists, in fact, use the same traps to catch, research and release many Maine species unharmed. The best way to prevent a dog from stepping in a trap is to follow Maine’s leash laws and keep dogs leashed.
Trapping season is highly regulated [1] and allows licensed individuals to trap abundant species such as fox, coyote, muskrat, beaver, bear, fisher, and others. Trapping helps keep populations stable and healthy, protects property and habitat, and provides biologists with valuable data to help prevent and manage disease and predict population trends. Learn more about how trappers are conservationists. [2]
A dog’s reaction to being caught in a foothold trap can vary from calm to frightened. Foothold traps are designed to hold an animal by the foot, and not injure the animal. If your dog gets caught:
Stay calm and get help. If available, get a second person to assist you.
Protect yourself. Some dogs may be calm, others may be frightened and attempt to bite, especially as the trap is removed from their foot. Protect yourself by securing the dog’s muzzle using a jacket or vest, or by placing a barrier between you and the dog.
Open the trap. If possible, put the trap flat on the ground. To open the trap, push down using your hands or feet on the levers located at either end of the jaws (see arrows in the photos).This will release tension on the jaws and allow you to remove the dog’s foot.
Respect the trapper, and obey the law. It is unlawful to take or destroy a trap without permission from the owner.
