What to Look for in a Live Trap
When dealing with wildlife, a humane approach is always the best option. Live animal traps provide a safe and effective way to capture and relocate animals without causing them harm. Choosing the right live animal trap is essential for both the safety of the animal and the success of your trapping efforts. Size & Compatibility The first thing to consider when selecting a trap, is the size of the trap relative to the animal you are trying to capture. Traps come in assorted sizes, designed for diverse types of animals. Make sure to choose a trap that is appropriately sized for the specific wildlife, feral, or domestic animal you are targeting. Most live traps can range from as little as 18” all the way up to 72” in size. A trap that is too small will not effectively capture the animal, while one that is too large may allow the animal to escape or cause injury to both the animal and the trapper. Depending on the needs of the trapper, there is also various traps that are great for first – time trappers. Durability & Construction A good starting point to find a high-quality live trap is by looking for sturdy materials such as galvanized or powder-coated steel. These traps are resistant to rust and corrosion, ensuring they last through multiple uses and withstand harsh weather conditions. A well-constructed trap will have strong welds and reinforced corners to prevent the animal from escaping or being injured while caught, without damaging the trap. The lifespan of a live trap depends on several factors, including the quality of the materials used, the frequency of use, and how well it is maintained. Most galvanized traps can last up to 10 years or longer with proper care. Coated steel can last even longer. Under average weather conditions, the lifespan of a powder coated steel trap can even reach between 15 and 20 years. Safety Features Handling the trap in a safe manner is essential to protect both the animal and the person working with the trap. Features such as smooth, rolled edges prevent the animal from injuring itself, while protective handles and solid door latches keep you safe during transport and release. Some traps also include shields or covers to calm the captured animal by reducing visual stimuli. Traps that are equipped with an adjustable trigger mechanism prevents early accidental door closures and can be customized to the trappers needs. Larger traps can be used in some cases to trap smaller animals or multiple animals by using a Trap Isolator which separates larger traps into smaller components that are appropriate for the size of animal you are trapping. Ease of Use A good live animal trap should be easy to set up, bait, and release. Look for traps with clear instructions and simple mechanisms. The trigger system should be sensitive enough to capture the animal but not so sensitive that it goes off prematurely. Additionally, consider traps with rear doors, sliding doors, or self-locking doors to prevent the accidental release of animals once caught. Traps without hinges and springs are maintenance-free, and some carriers allow handlers to restrict the animal to one side of the cage for injections and facilitate easy transfer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ1QyFYZ85I Humane Design Traps designed with animal welfare in mind are crucial. The goal is to detain and relocate the animal without causing stress or harm. Features such as spacious interiors, minimal gaps between the mesh, and smooth surfaces help ensure the animal remains calm and unharmed while in the trap. Most cages come in camouflage colors, so they easily blend into the environment. While wildlife deterrents are keeping the animals out, the sole purpose of a live trap is to lure them into the cage without scaring the animal. A well-designed cage will ensure a smooth and safe process keeping it as calm as possible. 2 Door traps allow for added versatility when trapping. Baiting & Placement The effectiveness of your trap also depends on how you bait and place it. Research the dietary preferences of the animal you are targeting and use an appropriate bait. Raccoons, for example, eat a variety of foods and are not particularly selective. Placing the bait inside the cage and creating a scented pathway towards the trap will attract them quickly. For best results, place traps where the animal is known to frequent, ensuring they are stable and secure to prevent tipping or movement. A good rule of thumb is to set the trap against a natural background, like a barrier, and ensure the entrance is easily accessible for the animal to walk into. Legal Considerations: Before purchasing and using a live animal trap, it is important to check local wildlife regulations. Some areas have specific laws regarding the trapping and relocation of wildlife. Ensure you are compliant with these existing regulations to avoid legal issues and ensure the humane treatment of animals. Always prioritize humane methods and follow the code for responsible trapping to promote the ethical treatment of wildlife.
Using Electric Fencing to Manage Bear Conflict
Bear conflict, in large, is driven by food in Alberta. Margo Supplies Heavy Duty fence is the tool of choice for homeowners, hobby farms, and industry professionals. The Heavy Duty fence is a multi-functional carnivore fence that can be a standalone fence system or can be installed on an existing fence. http://vimeo.com/video/631000796?h=8d541b7de8 Jay Honeyman is a bear conflict biologist with Alberta Environment and Parks. His job is large carnivore conflict mitigation and with that, he often deals with human-bear conflict. Jay explains the nature of these conflicts, and how installing a simple electric fence can protect high-value food sources from bears. From hobby farms to industry professionals, the benefits of electric fencing can be easily understood after speaking with Honeyman. “By reducing conflict and reducing these attractants so that bears aren’t interested in coming onto people’s properties. We’re not having to euthanize bears, we’re not having to relocate bears, we’re not having property damage for the landowner, and we’re not having public safety issues with bears hanging around properties.” – Honeyman, 2021 Electric Fencing is an integral component for managing conflicts with bears, especially when bears are motivated to an area. Once a bear gets a food reward they become quite driven and they will return to the area. Electric fencing breaks this reward cycle and tells the bear that they need to move on. “By removing the food source, it’s a win-win for everyone, and it’s something we should be doing more of”
Protect Yourself and Wildlife with Portable Electric Bear Fencing
You open the flap on your tent and gaze at the vista before you. The Alaskan coastal estuary stretches before you bathed in greens and golds in the morning light. Beyond, the pine forest extends up the slopes of the coastal mountains, turning into the blues and whites of the high alpine slopes, their upper reaches permanently capped in snow. In the foreground, you notice a dark shape moving silently through the reeds – a Grizzly Bear slowly making its way toward your camp. Bears are a symbol of the freedom and majesty of the wilderness, but it also reminds us of the dangers lurking in the wild places we love. Those who have awoken in the night to the sounds of huffing and snorting outside their tent know the feeling of true terror. Sometimes we imagine these sounds, but other times they are indeed signs of an inquisitive bear inspecting your camp. Armed with the proper equipment and knowledge you can sleep safely and still observe these majestic animals. A bear that enters a camp and is positively rewarded with human food will likely continue to seek out human settlements in search of more. Bears are intelligent and curious animals, as well as opportunistic feeders with a strong sense of smell. They will often inspect human camps, and may even rummage inside looking for last night’s dinner leftovers. Unfortunately, a 1,500-pound Kodiak Grizzly Bear can do a lot of damage to a camp, or even threaten its human inhabitants. A bear that enters a camp and is positively rewarded with human food will likely continue to seek out human settlements in search of more. These bears quickly lose their fear of humans and become a danger to themselves and people. The opposite is also true; by protecting a camp bears learn to associate human settlement negatively and avoid them. By taking a few simple steps, we can protect our camp and sleep easily after a long day in the wilderness. Luckily, by taking a few simple steps, we can protect our camp and sleep easily after a long day in the wilderness. Portable electric bear fences are highly effective at preventing bears from entering your camps, both at night and when you are off exploring during the day. Electric fencing works by delivering a painful, but harmless shock to inquisitive bears. The short burst of low amperage, high voltage electricity sends bears fleeing from the area. The fence is safe for both animals and humans. Our most portable electric fence, the Electra-Netting can be set-up in as little as 30 minutes. Electric Bear Fences are versatile and can be used to protect camps, cook areas, fish gutting stations, cabins, meat caches, and smoke houses. These affordable and effective products can be the difference between a successful stay in the wilderness or a terrifying encounter with one of North America’s largest land predators. Eliminate worry by securing your camp today. You’ll also be doing your part to keep bears wild and ensure that you will enjoy their presence for years to come. Shop Electra Netting Bear Fence Kits
