Respecting the Furbearer and Other Wildlife

The proper use of cable devices ensures that they will remain a legal trapping method in Pennsylvania. It is the individual trapper’s responsibility to not only follow the law but also use cable devices wisely. Here are some common errors that beginning trappers make that affect furbearers and other wildlife.

• Failing to Secure Cable Devices Properly. Proper anchoring of cable devices is important for the wellbeing of captured animals as well as the overall success of the set.
  • Cable devices should be anchored securely to the ground or another stationary location to ensure that animals cannot pull free with the cable still attached to their body. This often results in severe injuries as well as negative public perception if the animal is seen.
  • Pennsylvania requires that cable devices be anchored to a stationary location. Drags or other mobile anchors are not permitted with these systems.
• Failing to Check Cable Devices Regularly. The risk of escape and/or injury to the animal increases with the length of time the animal is held captive in the cable device. This risk also increases with the length of time animals are held during daylight hours as most furbearers tend to seek cover during the day.
  • A good rule of thumb is to visit cable devices each day, preferably in the morning. This will minimize injury to captured animals and damage to the fur. It will also help improve your overall trapping success.
  • Pennsylvania requires that trappers visit their cable devices at least every 36 hours to dispatch or release any captured animals.
• Failing to Remove Cable Devices From the Field. The locations of cable device sets should be carefully recorded so that they can be:
  • Checked often and…
  • Removed when the set is no longer productive or the season is over.
• Failing to Avoid Entanglement. Properly set cable restraints must be placed to avoid the possibility of entanglement by the captured animal.
  • Entanglement is avoided by ensuring that the captured animal cannot reach immovable objects, such as large brush, trees, fences, equipment, rocks, and logs.
  • If an animal becomes entangled, it increases the likelihood of injury, death, or escape.
  • Entanglement is illegal for cable restraint sets in Pennsylvania, so trappers should make sure this cannot happen. Underwater entanglement is legal in Pennsylvania for cable devices (cable restraints or snares) in water sets.