Snares

Snares are cable devices that are used only as water sets and typically are designed to facilitate entanglement.

• Like cable restraints, snares operate passively by using the movement of the animal to trigger the device. Unlike cable restraints, current Pennsylvania regulations allow for the use of any mechanical sliding metal release lock on a snare. However, Best Management Practices (as discussed in Unit 6) dictate that snares should also use relaxing locks.
• Entanglement in snares set in water is legal for trapping beavers and river otters in Pennsylvania. When entanglement occurs, the target animal dies from asphyxiation before the trapper returns to the set.
• When snares are properly constructed and deployed, they will typically result in the death of the animal but cause little harm to the fur. However, when relaxing locks are used and entanglement is avoided, animals can be safely removed from the snare with little or no trauma.