Differences between Cable Restraints and Snares

When used generically, the term “snare” refers to a type of capture device that uses a loop of wire, stranded wire, wire rope, or other material designed to set and close around the neck, torso, foot, or leg of an animal. A cable restraint is differentiated from a snare by the construction, features, use, and legality in several important ways.

• Cable restraints are typically set in dry land situations. However, in Pennsylvania, cable restraints with relaxing locks are also legal sets for beavers and river otters.
• Snares, although they are made from identical materials and are set using similar trapping techniques, differ from cable restraints in that a possible and legal outcome is entanglement under water, with the animal being dispatched due to lack of oxygen, before the trapper returns. In Pennsylvania:
  • Snares are restricted to aquatic environments for trapping beavers and river otters only.
  • It is illegal to set snares on dry land for these reasons.
    • Any mechanical sliding metal release lock can be used for snares.
    • Snares lack a breakaway device and have different loop stop requirements.