Identifying Problems with Cable Devices

Here are some common problems you might encounter when using cable devices, including possible causes and solutions for those problems.

• The cable is knocked down or is out of place.
  • Possibility #1
    • Cause: The cable was not supported properly.
    • Solution: Support the set better so that the wind will not affect it.
  • Possibility #2
    • Cause: The cable was set too low and was too close to the walking surface.
    • Solution: Raise the bottom of the loop so that smaller animals will not cause the loop to fall.
  • Possibility #3
    • Cause: The set was in a poor location.
    • Solution: Move the set to a new location.
• An animal approaches the cable device but refuses to go through the loop.
  • Possibility #1
    • Cause: The loop is too large, and the animal backs out.
    • Solution: Make the loop diameter smaller.
  • Possibility #2
    • Cause: The material used for fencing the cable device looks unnatural, causing refusal by the animal.
    • Solution: Fence approaches to cable devices with natural materials.
  • Possibility #3
    • Cause: The cable was not loaded properly.
    • Solution: Reset the loop to more of an oval shape. Place the lock at the 11 o’clock or 1 o’clock position.
  • Possibility #4
    • Cause: The support wire is not rigid enough.
    • Solution: Change to a support wire with a larger gauge.
  • Possibility #5
    • Cause: The cable restraint components are shiny and highly visible.
    • Solution: Properly treat the cable restraints and all components.
• The animal is caught around its body.
  • Possibility #1
    • Cause: The loop is too large.
    • Solution: Adjust the loop to a smaller diameter.
  • Possibility #2
    • Cause: The loop is set too low.
    • Solution: Raise the loop to the proper height for the target animal.
• No animal is caught in the closed cable loop of a snare.
  • Cause: The loop is too small.
  • Solution: Adjust the loop to a larger diameter.
• The cable loop on a snare is partially closed.
  • Cause: A smaller animal moved through the cable loop, or the animal was not centered in the cable loop.
  • Solution: Use better guides to funnel the animal into the center of the cable loop.
• You have incidental catches.
  • Possibility #1
    • Cause: The loop size, shape, or height is incorrect, especially if the set is catching raccoons, opossums, skunks, etc.
    • Solution: Adjust the loop size, shape, and height for the target species. Usually raise the loop to catch these species.
  • Possibility #2
    • Cause: The loop size, shape, or height is incorrect. The loop size is too small if you are catching river otters in water sets.
    • Solution: Adjust the loop size, shape, and height for the target animal.
  • Possibility #3
    • Cause: The set is in the wrong location.
    • Solution: Look for signs of the target animal, and relocate the set as needed.