That was my though on the reasoning behind that kind of wildlife management practice!

Forester, it's too late to make any changes for the coming season. Perhaps we should start getting ideas together to propose next spring for next year's season.

Mike

Your instincts were correct Jerry. Lol

Mike

This is exactly the reason for those regulations--along with some of our past Eastern Oklahoma government officials who also coon hunted with hounds.

I agree on trying to change the rules.

What rules would you like too see changed? Besides the signs you have to put up that sucks for sure. I would love to be able to legally use snares.

Good deal...what a dumb rule.

This was one of the dumbest laws I've seen... glad it's gone

Well I would like to know 100% for sure my four coiled traps are legal. Currently if you go strictly by the wording in the regs they are not legal. I would like to use snares for coyotes and body grips for beaver and otter. I would like to be able to use non offset footholds on water sets for beaver, otter and coons. I would like to not have to put up signs where I have my traps set. That would be a good start on some changes I would like to see. Oh yeah and night predator calling. I would like that also.

I have a lot of doubts about ever getting snares legalized... Not saying it wouldn't happen but it's a long shot. On the plus side, MO and KS allow snares/cable restraints and bodygrip traps... Do they have issues with countless dead dogs every season?

I too would like to signage requirements disappear... Even if we just start with private lands first.

And bodygrip traps in water would be nice.

It may not happen next year either. But I think it we push every year they will eventually cave.

Mike

For years the wording was vague and people kept asking if 4 coils were legal... And the answer depended on who you asked. Then they added that extra description in the regs... "Any trap not listed here is illegal."

I have a sneaking suspicion you could be cited and fined. I got tired of taking my chances and got rid of all my 4 coils.

Maybe we should look at getting that changed.

And while we're at it have someone give an explanation as to how offset jaws clamp feet just as tightly (if not tighter) than standard jaws. I wonder if we could get statements from design engineers who work for trap makers. Lol

Mike

I think the low fur prices may be a two edged sword in helping get regs changed. On one hand there will be less interest in trapping which means less active support to get changes pushed through. On the other hand less trapping will result in increased predator populations and more kick up from ranchers, farmers and hunters wanting something done to control populations. I wish our wildlife commissioners would poll surrounding states wildlife officials to see what their regs are and what problems or concerns they are experiencing with those regs.

As I understand it if you own or lease the land no signs are required, I may be wrong. As for the 4 coil I had forgot about that one, that's needs cleared up also and the no off set in water seems fair.

Yes they did revise the sign law but I trap a WMA on timber company land and there are numerous access roads. Considering the amount of ground I cover it is near impossible to comply with the signage law.