BMP Criteria for Trapping Devices

There are five BMP criteria used in evaluating trapping devices. BMP–approved traps must exhibit the following qualities:

• Animal Welfare: Approved traps must result in low-injury scores to the trapped animals. These traps should cause only moderate, low, or no injury to at least 70% of the trapped animals.
• Efficiency: Approved traps must be able to capture and hold at least 60% of the furbearers that spring the trap.
• Selectivity: Approved traps must be set and used in a way that limits the risk of capturing non-target species. These traps must also increase the chances of capturing desired furbearers.
• Practicality: Approved traps must be practical. This is measured by the trap's cost, ease of transport and use, storage considerations, weight and size, reliability, versatility, and the expected lifespan of the trap.
• Safety: Approved traps must not present a serious risk to the user. These traps are evaluated for safety to the user and other people who might come into contact with the trap.