I recently found many set locations where a drag would be perfect for one reason or another but
I wasn’t sure if using a drag was legal in Pennsylvania. This morning I decided to call the Pa Game
Commission to clear up any confusion since they know the laws. When I asked the gentleman
on the phone to let me talk to somebody that was familiar with the trapping regulations in the state
he assured me that he could help me with any question I had. When I asked him if I was allowed
to use a drag he didn’t even know what a drag was so I had to explain it to him. I overheard him ask
another person nearby in his office if we could use a drag for trapping and that person didn’t know
either but he continued by saying that the trap had to be secured so the animal couldn’t get away. Are there any Pennsylvania trappers that have any experience with this?

I would hope so, water trappers use drags, myself included.

Drags are legal on PA. Sorry you had to get a dim bulb that wouldn't even pass your question along to someone familiar with the regulations.

Trapper get togethers are the place to ask these kinds of questions.
You can find PTA through the "links" button at the top of this page.

When a person learns the politics of game com,
they can then learn why the regs are written the way they are.

You did the right thing to ask here.
Tell more of these set areas, lots of experience on here.

You can't use drags with cable restraints but other than that you can .

What office did you call?

I called the PA game Commission once to go over a couple of questions that I had regarding trapping. I spoke with the top guy in law enforcement. He has absolutely no clue about trapping and read everything to me word for word out of the law book. You have got to love it!

Ok thank you. I called the south central office.

This is just me. I would call that number back and ask for the head of law enforcement. Then ask him the question and explain the problem you had when you called earlier.

It's been my experience that they straighten the dispatchers (since they are the ones who answer most of the questions when people call) out fairly good when it comes to matter of the law.

^^^great advice and perfect example where a local mentor is invaluable. Here’s what helped me shorten my learning curve by decades. Join your state trapping assn, Google it. Then contact officers off their site and ask for a mentor to ride along with. Learn the laws in YOUR state regarding jaw spreads, shock springs, etc, etc. This gets you in the info loop of FREE trappers ed classes and meets and fur sales/pick ups, and conventions. Then attend ALL YOU CAN, this shows folks you are serious and will be a good student. It sure helped open many doors for me and it could for you as well. ALSO, get several different trapping supply catalogs, like MTP, Dakotaline, Sterling Fur, FandT, PCS, Schmitt enterprises, Southeastern outdoor supplies, rpoutdoors, etc etc, THEN circle gear you need, and give the catalogs to loved ones to buy your Birthday and Christmas and July 4 and Anniversary gifts. Explain to them, you want their money to go towards what you will use and need, as opposed to another sweater hanging in your closet. WORKS GREAT in our family.

Has a mentor program been tried, in place within trapper orgs? FTA?
Clearances like act 34 etc?
Take an old guy trapping.
Just some thoughts I've had.

TJohn, you knockin my Mr Rodgers sweater?

i tell the person at regional my phone number and ask them to have the officers that may see my traps to call me.