Non - Snaring Trapping
Some information gathered on this page comes from Fur Bearer Defenders, Born Free USA and Trap Free Oregon
Some images on this page may be disturbing to viewers
Each year, thousands of animals are trapped in Alberta for their fur and also for bounty rewards. In Alberta, trappers must be licensed and the trapping season occurs from (October 1 - March 31st for most zones). Details can be found here: http://www.albertaregulations.ca/trappingregs/
In Alberta, traps that are considered to be non killing devices (leg hold traps, box traps, for example) must be checked at least once every 48 hours if set under the authority of a Registered Fur Management Licence, or at least once every 24 hours if set under the authority of a Resident Fur Management Licence. Many types of traps are used in Alberta including foot hold traps, body gripping traps like the conibear trap, and box traps (all discussed below). Snares are also used to trap animals but are discussed on their own page HERE.
Trapping and fur industry proponents claim trapping provides a viable income for many Canadians. However, surveys show that most trappers trap for "sport" and a little extra income which is considered "seasonal". According to the figures from the Fur Institute of Canada (2006), there are approximately 60,000 licensed trappers in Canada, though it is important to note that trapping is not a source of major income for Canadians. Also, while the industry claims to support indigenous populations by using fur, in reality, less than 2% of Canada's indigenous population is involved in the fur trade. Indigenous trappers, on average, earn less than $400 per year, and receive only 1% of the profits of the Canadian fur industry. Low pelt prices, fluctuating demand, and high expenses (e.g.: gasoline, trapline permits, etc.) mean that for indigenous and non-indigenous trappers alike, trapping is simply a hobby. It is not a livelihood. Today fur trapping is little more than a hobby. In addition, many aboriginal people do not trap wolves due to their respect for the wolf. Read Fur Heritage Fades as Trapper's Work Canada's Loneliest
Trapping and fur industry proponents claim trapping provides a viable income for many Canadians. However, surveys show that most trappers trap for "sport" and a little extra income which is considered "seasonal". According to the figures from the Fur Institute of Canada (2006), there are approximately 60,000 licensed trappers in Canada, though it is important to note that trapping is not a source of major income for Canadians. Also, while the industry claims to support indigenous populations by using fur, in reality, less than 2% of Canada's indigenous population is involved in the fur trade. Indigenous trappers, on average, earn less than $400 per year, and receive only 1% of the profits of the Canadian fur industry. Low pelt prices, fluctuating demand, and high expenses (e.g.: gasoline, trapline permits, etc.) mean that for indigenous and non-indigenous trappers alike, trapping is simply a hobby. It is not a livelihood. Today fur trapping is little more than a hobby. In addition, many aboriginal people do not trap wolves due to their respect for the wolf. Read Fur Heritage Fades as Trapper's Work Canada's Loneliest
See some Alberta trappers own testimonials that trapping is not a form of income but a hobby:
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Foot/Leg Hold Traps
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Foot hold traps are the oldest design of metal traps used to catch furbearers and were designed in the early 20th century. As their name suggests, foot hold traps are used to catch an animal by the foot and hold it until the trapper returns. These traps normally have two clamping jaws that are closed tight by springs, either coil springs or leaf springs. Some earlier designs of the leg hold trap had teeth on the jaws that were supposed to keep the animal from pulling their foot out of the trap. Fortunately, toothed jaws were made illegal decades ago because they caused a lot of pain to the animal and were deemed extremely inhumane. Modern foot hold traps are designed very differently than the old toothed design. Some models have rubber padding on the jaws, while others have much wider jaws (laminated jaws) where they hold the foot so that the pressure from the jaws is spread on a larger area of the foot to reduce the pressure. Other models are modified so that they can’t close completely (offset jaws), and that also helps to reduce the pressure on the foot of the animal caught. A final model of modern foothold trap is the Belisle foot snare. It is a powered trap that uses a short snare instead of the jaws of the trap to hold the foot. Foot hold traps can range in size from as small as 3 inches (7.5 cm) to as large as 8 inches (20 cm) or more and are used to catch animals from as small as weasels and muskrats to as big as wolves. The parts of a foot hold trap include the jaws, the trigger pan, the dog (trigger latch), the springs, the spring levers (for coil springs), and the anchor chain. Most foot hold traps also have swivels on the anchor chain to allow the trap to spin with the animal so that it doesn’t bind and twist on the foot. 
Wolf caught in a leg hold trap.
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Body Gripping/Conibear Traps
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Body gripping traps are also commonly known as Conibear traps after a trapper from the NWT, named Fred Conibear, designed them in the 1960s. These traps are square shaped with two rotating jaws and springs on one or both sides of the jaws. Body gripping traps are considered to be killing devices as they are designed to strike small to medium- sized animals in the neck or body and kill them quickly by breaking the animal's neck or by strangulation. These traps are not as effective as kill traps when used on larger canines like coyotes, wolves and even domestic dogs. Different models of body gripping traps are made by nearly every major trap manufacturer and come in different size models for different uses. The different parts of body gripping traps include the jaws, the spring, the dog (latch that holds the trap in the set position), the trigger, the safety catches and the chain or cable that is attached to a stake or other device to keep the trap in place.
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Box Traps/Live Traps
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Box traps are mainly used in situations where an animal needs to be caught and later released. However, many trappers use them to live catch smaller animals like raccoons and skunks and then kill them once trapped. The most common kind of box trap used is a rectangular wire
mesh trap with one door that closes behind the animal when it enters. Many trappers will also devise their own types of live traps as well using PVC pipe, wood, or other materials. These traps are often used in places where there is a good chance of catching non-target animals, like cats, closer to towns and cities and farms. |
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Trapping Cruelty
"When this coyote was found, his wrist bone was broken in half, his teeth were broken, and the coyote was trying to wring off his own limb, so the paw, it was actually a 360 rotation," said Lesley Fox, executive director of the Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals. British Columbia. This story is linked at the bottom of this page.
Trapping has been banned in over 80 countries and in many states in the USA. But in Canada, despite the fact that most Canadians oppose it, trapping is still practiced and supported by the government. In Alberta, trapping devices are used to capture or kill furbearing animals under the countenance of "nuisance wildlife control" or "pest control" and many more are killed for their fur and for bounty rewards. The reality is, trapping is unnecessary and inhumane. All traps are inherently designed to hold or kill an animal that does not want to be caught or killed. As a result, many animals suffer from pain and anxiety, and often die trying to free themselves from traps. Furthermore, trapping check times in Alberta range from once every 24 hours (non kill traps) to no check times at all (traps that are "deemed" as kill devices - conibears, killing neck snares). Because traps that supposedly kill an animal, don't always kill instantaneously, these check times (and lack-thereof) are quite disturbing. To further the matter, regulations are largely unenforceable, which means that there are likely untold amounts of animal suffering that goes undocumented and un-investigated. According to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) “when an animal is caught in a trap not intended for it, or when it enters the trap at the wrong speed or the wrong way, it is often caught but not killed, and suffers excruciating pain until it loses consciousness or is found – sometimes after days”. Finally, there is no way to ensure that non-target species do not get caught, maimed or killed by these traps. Traps, like poisons and snares, are indiscriminate. Countless numbers of dogs, cats, ungulates, birds and other animals—including threatened and endangered species —are also injured and killed each year by traps. Trappers often refer to the by-catch animals as "trash animals". A study by the American Veterinary Association indicates that up to 67 per cent of animals caught in traps are unintended victims.
"Wild animals are the ‘targets’ of these archaic devices, and the trapper is usually the only person to see the results." - MSPCA
"Wild animals are the ‘targets’ of these archaic devices, and the trapper is usually the only person to see the results." - MSPCA
Leg Hold Trap Cruelty
All that remains in this trap when checked was a mountain lion paw. As trappers call this "wring off".
Banned in numerous countries around the world and several states in the US, leg-hold traps are still legal and commonly used in Canada, including in Alberta. There is ample documentation that proves that leg/foot hold traps often brutally mutilate wild animals, are non selective in what they capture, and are a danger to companion animals and even humans (namely, children). In fact, both the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Animal Hospital Association and the National Animal Control Association have declared the leg hold trap to be inhumane.
All traps are designed to hold an animal against their will. If an animal isn't injured by the trap when first caught, it still faces the perils of being left in the trap for hours, if not days. While trapped, animals are exposed to the elements and become vulnerable to predation from other wild animals. They also can suffer from starvation, dehydration, hypothermia, etc. Trapping is painful and confusing for an animal and animals will struggle to get free often mutilating themselves - dislocating joints, lacerating themselves, breaking bones and teeth. Many times the animal will suffer and die of blood loss, shock, and other injuries related to efforts of trying to release themselves from the trap. Often times, an animal will become so desperate to free themselves that they resort to chewing off their own trapped limb to escape. It is common occurrence enough that trappers refer to this as "wring off'. If an animal does escape the trap by chewing off a foot or leg, the animal has little hope for survival in the wild due to the risk of infection,blood loss, starvation, or by becoming weak and easy prey to other animals.
Aside from physical suffering, evidence has also determined that animals suffer emotionally and mentally. Scientific studies have proven that
animals experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, and fear and can suffer from symptoms that closely resemble Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in humans after being exposed to traumatizing circumstances.
"Dispatching"
When a trapper finally returns, trapped animals are often inhumanely killed or “dispatched” (as the trapping lingo goes) by methods that avoid damaging the animal's fur. Animals are often shot but are also clubbed, choked, suffocated, drowned, gassed with CO2, or stomped to death - methods that preserve the animal’s pelt. The Alberta Trapping Regulations do not disclose any information regarding approved dispatching methods and instead insist that human dispatching methods are discussed and taught to trappers in the trapper education courses. The Minnesota trapping manual, however states, "Animals trapped in foothold traps in upland areas should be shot in the chest of head with a .22 caliber rifle or pistol. Older, more experienced trappers can kill trapped animals by stunning them with a hard, sharp blow with a heavy hardwood or metal tool, which renders them immediately unconscious. Once the animal is unconscious, death is assured by compressing the chest near the heart. This method is not recommended for trappers who lack the strength or experience to do it properly. Furbearers held in box traps can be shot or drown by submersing the trap in water or gassed with an engine exhaust after covering the trap." Below, we have posted some trappers testimonials of how they dispatch trapped animals - many of whom are in Alberta. There is a lot of discussion about dispatching animals in live traps as well (mostly skunks/racoons) by drowning and gassing them with engine exhaust so they "don't spray". Again, 2 methods that have proven to be inhumane. Furthermore, most of the trappers in the forums do not openly discuss dispatch methods in public and claim it is because they do want to give "anti-trappers" ammunition to use against their trade. But we question this....if it's humane and they are adhering to trapping best practices and Code for Responsible Trapping , why the need to hide it?
All traps are designed to hold an animal against their will. If an animal isn't injured by the trap when first caught, it still faces the perils of being left in the trap for hours, if not days. While trapped, animals are exposed to the elements and become vulnerable to predation from other wild animals. They also can suffer from starvation, dehydration, hypothermia, etc. Trapping is painful and confusing for an animal and animals will struggle to get free often mutilating themselves - dislocating joints, lacerating themselves, breaking bones and teeth. Many times the animal will suffer and die of blood loss, shock, and other injuries related to efforts of trying to release themselves from the trap. Often times, an animal will become so desperate to free themselves that they resort to chewing off their own trapped limb to escape. It is common occurrence enough that trappers refer to this as "wring off'. If an animal does escape the trap by chewing off a foot or leg, the animal has little hope for survival in the wild due to the risk of infection,blood loss, starvation, or by becoming weak and easy prey to other animals.
Aside from physical suffering, evidence has also determined that animals suffer emotionally and mentally. Scientific studies have proven that
animals experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, and fear and can suffer from symptoms that closely resemble Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in humans after being exposed to traumatizing circumstances.
"Dispatching"
When a trapper finally returns, trapped animals are often inhumanely killed or “dispatched” (as the trapping lingo goes) by methods that avoid damaging the animal's fur. Animals are often shot but are also clubbed, choked, suffocated, drowned, gassed with CO2, or stomped to death - methods that preserve the animal’s pelt. The Alberta Trapping Regulations do not disclose any information regarding approved dispatching methods and instead insist that human dispatching methods are discussed and taught to trappers in the trapper education courses. The Minnesota trapping manual, however states, "Animals trapped in foothold traps in upland areas should be shot in the chest of head with a .22 caliber rifle or pistol. Older, more experienced trappers can kill trapped animals by stunning them with a hard, sharp blow with a heavy hardwood or metal tool, which renders them immediately unconscious. Once the animal is unconscious, death is assured by compressing the chest near the heart. This method is not recommended for trappers who lack the strength or experience to do it properly. Furbearers held in box traps can be shot or drown by submersing the trap in water or gassed with an engine exhaust after covering the trap." Below, we have posted some trappers testimonials of how they dispatch trapped animals - many of whom are in Alberta. There is a lot of discussion about dispatching animals in live traps as well (mostly skunks/racoons) by drowning and gassing them with engine exhaust so they "don't spray". Again, 2 methods that have proven to be inhumane. Furthermore, most of the trappers in the forums do not openly discuss dispatch methods in public and claim it is because they do want to give "anti-trappers" ammunition to use against their trade. But we question this....if it's humane and they are adhering to trapping best practices and Code for Responsible Trapping , why the need to hide it?
A fox being dispatched by being stepped on
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Drowning a raccoon
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Trapper Testimonials on Dispatch Methods (Many from Alberta) - Do these methods adhere to humane standards to you?
Conibear Trap Cruelty
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Conibear traps are powerful body-gripping traps commonly used underwater for semi-aquatic species. These traps are usually set either underwater or set up in a way so that the trapped animal will be pulled underwater once caught and drowned. Drowning has been proven to be an inhumane way to die (see link below). Most body gripping traps are designed to break or crush an animals spine or administer a fatal blow to the skull but, like other traps and snares, their efficacy and accuracy is not reliable and animals can be left in these traps to suffer. Not all body gripping are set underwater either and often times, non target animals are caught in these traps, including canids. Past studies have shown that multiple non-target animals are captured for every one target animal caught in a Conibear trap and that these devices frequently fail to kill victims instantaneously (Harris et al.). Article: Drowning is not euthanasia by John W Ludders, Robert H. Schmidt, F Joshua Dein, and Patrice N. Klein |
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| 99jwl.wsb01.pdf |
Unintended Victims
As previously mentioned, another major problem with any kind of trap is the lack of discrimination. For every intended victim of the traps, there are more unintended victims such as birds, ungulates, rodents, reptiles, endangered species, and even people including children that get maimed and killed. In the industry, unintended animal victims are referred to as “trash” animals. Despite years of research, there have been no significant advances in reducing "collateral damage." According to the Alberta Trapping Regulations. "Trappers who accidentally capture any wildlife that are not fur-bearing animals are reminded to report the incident as soon as practical to the nearest Fish and Wildlife Office. In addition, permission must first be obtained from an officer to use such an animal as bait."
Under current Alberta trapping laws, there are limited restrictions as to where traps can be set. In rural areas, outside designated conservation zones, licensed traps can be placed adjacent to an occupied dwelling or any parcel of land, as long as the trapper has permission from the property owner. Unlike baiting, licensed trappers are under no duty to warn the public about their presence in a given area (Taken from this article: Trapping Regulations put public at risk, says former predator control officer).
Under current Alberta trapping laws, there are limited restrictions as to where traps can be set. In rural areas, outside designated conservation zones, licensed traps can be placed adjacent to an occupied dwelling or any parcel of land, as long as the trapper has permission from the property owner. Unlike baiting, licensed trappers are under no duty to warn the public about their presence in a given area (Taken from this article: Trapping Regulations put public at risk, says former predator control officer).
Articles & Documents
Mammal trapping: a review of animal welfare standards of killing and restraining traps:
| mammal_trapping-1.pdf |
A model for assessing the relative humaneness of pest animal control methods:
| a_model_for_assessing.pdf |
How to release your pets from traps - courtesy of TrapFree Oregon
A great information sheet on the inhumaneness of traps and the AIHTS by Fur Bearer Defenders (check them out!)
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