Several years ago, Craig Gardner with Alaska Fish and Game developed a diverter system integrated with wolf snares to try to lessen the number of moose that were incidentally taken in wolf snares. I was involved peripherally with the testing of those snares. Initially, I was not a fan, but certainly became a believer in pretty short order. Next thing I knew, I was down here in Idaho, where diverters are required on wolf snares in an effort to reduce the number of moose and elk incidentally snared. What I'm looking for at this point is input from anybody that has used the diverter snares, and would like your comments, either positive or negative, regardless of where you're snaring. Not looking for 'unhelpful' comments ("My uncle's third-cousin twice removed says they're junk"). If you'd rather p.m. me, that's helpful as well. I appreciate your educated comments. Thanks...

Sorry for the cross-posting, but I'm putting this on the 'Trapper Talk' and the 'Wilderness...' forums at the same time.

Thanks again...

Jack

I came to the conclusion that they were not worth the trouble.

Obviously it would impractical to put them on every single wolf snare (unless you were only setting a dozen snares.) They tangle everything up and take tons more room to store, handle and transport.

So then you consider, perhaps I should just use them in places where I am likely to snare a moose...

Then I sober up and realize that if I am about to set in a location where I am likely to catch a moose, I should be using a foot trap instead of a snare!

Luckily they are not MANDATORY here and I have that option.

Hey, you asked!

Pete

Much appreciated Pete. Those are exactly the types of comments I'm looking for, from guys that have actually used them. Like I said, either positive or negative.

Thanks

Jack

Well said Pete!

I was the guy who showed Gardner how to make a diverter for wolf snares. i also tested them. I cam to the same conclusions that Pete did, and they were cumbersome, added extra wight to the hanging snare,which made them sag (especial after a heavy snow) and made them satiable to a foot catch on a moose. As Pete stated, put snares where moose are likely not to be or go (not perfect or guarantee, but it does reduce the possibility).
Personal i have been using a double break a way snare(s-hook at lock, and a splice 8" from lock). This works well as long as the snare does not end up on the moose nose, yes i have lost and occasional wolf. Oh well its not perfect. But i tell people it's about the average/odds. Use sometime long enough and it will at some point work. Use sometime long enough and it will fail. A double break a way snare will eventually fail and will catch moose,But most of the time it will work. A double break a way snare will catch wolves, but some times it will fail.

Good logical point guys...thanks.

Any one of you men have pics please and thanks.

what do you pic of?

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=trapping.breakaway

Here is a link about the diverters from ADFG

Thanks, with a little downsizing that should work well with deer and cable restraint yotes.

trappergbus,

If you still need pictures of any aspect of the diverter set-up, hit me with p.m. I'm still making several hundred per year that I give away at the wolf trapper certification classes for people to copy. If you figure out a way to downsize for coyote/deer, let me know. I've been toying with that idea for several years, but with wolf heads and deer heads (and cougar heads) at about the same distance from the ground, things ain't coming together. May be possible, however, targeting coyotes and potentially diverting "some" of the deer.

Jack

Thanks, I understand the concept and construction from the link martenpine provided. I'm gonna play with it, may work in the right spot on the trail. If I have any questions will do.. Should work alot better than jump sticks LOL

Gary

Deer carry their head lower than coyotes

Thoughts Newt?

My experience is that they are cumbersome and make setting snares difficult. In addition, when the wind blows their weight can help "topple" your set if you don't have it well secured. Hopefully I'm not reading more into your interest in the coyote/deer aspect of this topic but if you're working on developing a diverter for making our coyote snares more friendly that sounds like we're going to get more regulated. Just what we don't need.

Is catching deer in coyote snares a big issue anywhere? I've never heard it is. Thanks.

On some leases it is here in the midwest. Sometimes deer stops aren't the answer. But they all want coyotes dead.