Dispatching Trapped Animals
The most humane way of dispatching or killing a trapped animal is to shoot it in the head with a small caliber firearm, such as a .22 caliber rimfire rifle, which will not damage the animal’s fur. Prior to shooting, remember the five primary rules of firearm safety (S.M.A.R.T.).
At some locations, traps can be set to suffocate the animal when caught. An example of this type of setup is a snare placed in the water. Finally, the least preferred way to dispatch a trapped animal is by using blunt force to the back of the animal’s head.