The following article was written for the Cordova Times, November 29, 2013 edition.
Traps 101- Leg hold traps
By Annette Janka
The purpose of this article is to give those of you who are parents and dog owners the knowledge of how to release a leg hold trap if you unfortunately encounter one. (See the November 8 issue for information on Conibear trap release). Traps are legal in Cordova.
There are two basic types of leg hold traps- coil spring and long spring. Coil spring leg hold traps are semi-circular when tripped, and flatten to a circle when opened. The smaller ones are able to be opened by stepping on the two levers on each side of the central jaw to depress the springs.
Whether this is easily done depends on many factors. If your dog is frantically struggling and randomly biting at the trap, their leg, etc., it may help to tie a coat over its head or muzzle it so that it can’t bite you. Sometimes a dog’s leg is caught at an angle where you can’t set the trap down flat, or the trap may be in deep moss, heavy brush or not on a firm flat surface. Then you may need to pick up the dog AND the trap and carry them back to a better location or town to find someone to help. If the trap is padlocked to a tree, or the dog and trap are too heavy, hopefully you can call for help with your cell phone. If you don’t have cell phone or radio, you may have to leave them while you go to town to bring back knowledgeable help.
Releasing a long spring leg hold trap is, theoretically, similar to the coil spring leg hold traps. If the trap is a small one, you may be heavy enough to step on the two side bar springs close to where they meet the jaw. Personally, I have found that I am not heavy enough to open most long spring traps by this method, even on a hard surface, so I will now be carrying a large vise grip or 10” channel lock pliers to depress one side then hold it with a small C clamp, large zip tie or baling wire, while working on the spring on the second side. A trapper carries a specialized metal tool. To safely open one of the larger double long spring traps or the even larger bear traps, you will need to find someone who has the knowledge and the tools.
To find where to purchase a trap setting tool, see the RELEASE TRAPS page.
By Annette Janka
The purpose of this article is to give those of you who are parents and dog owners the knowledge of how to release a leg hold trap if you unfortunately encounter one. (See the November 8 issue for information on Conibear trap release). Traps are legal in Cordova.
There are two basic types of leg hold traps- coil spring and long spring. Coil spring leg hold traps are semi-circular when tripped, and flatten to a circle when opened. The smaller ones are able to be opened by stepping on the two levers on each side of the central jaw to depress the springs.
Whether this is easily done depends on many factors. If your dog is frantically struggling and randomly biting at the trap, their leg, etc., it may help to tie a coat over its head or muzzle it so that it can’t bite you. Sometimes a dog’s leg is caught at an angle where you can’t set the trap down flat, or the trap may be in deep moss, heavy brush or not on a firm flat surface. Then you may need to pick up the dog AND the trap and carry them back to a better location or town to find someone to help. If the trap is padlocked to a tree, or the dog and trap are too heavy, hopefully you can call for help with your cell phone. If you don’t have cell phone or radio, you may have to leave them while you go to town to bring back knowledgeable help.
Releasing a long spring leg hold trap is, theoretically, similar to the coil spring leg hold traps. If the trap is a small one, you may be heavy enough to step on the two side bar springs close to where they meet the jaw. Personally, I have found that I am not heavy enough to open most long spring traps by this method, even on a hard surface, so I will now be carrying a large vise grip or 10” channel lock pliers to depress one side then hold it with a small C clamp, large zip tie or baling wire, while working on the spring on the second side. A trapper carries a specialized metal tool. To safely open one of the larger double long spring traps or the even larger bear traps, you will need to find someone who has the knowledge and the tools.
To find where to purchase a trap setting tool, see the RELEASE TRAPS page.
Hopefully, you will not ever need to know any of this, but there is comfort in knowing that you have thought through what to do if it did occur.
Again, a big thank you to all you ethical trappers who know that trapping is a wilderness sport and place your traps outside city limits and far away from any roads, pull-outs, Forest Service trails and residences. We appreciate your efforts to keep us all safe.
Again, a big thank you to all you ethical trappers who know that trapping is a wilderness sport and place your traps outside city limits and far away from any roads, pull-outs, Forest Service trails and residences. We appreciate your efforts to keep us all safe.