Our state defined what a relaxing snare lock this year to end all confusion and of course I am still confused. Do micro locks and cam locks and mini cam locks meet the requirements. Here is what the rule says:

Add a definition of "snare lock" and "relaxing snare lock" in 312 IAC 9-1-13.2 and 312 IAC 9-1-13.7.
Snares are a method of capturing animals that may have relaxing or non-relaxing locks, which control the tightening of the snare. The term "relaxing snare lock" is used in the Indiana hunting and trapping guide, but some locks are being sold as "relaxing" that do not meet the DNR's interpretation, causing confusion and ambiguity. The DNR interprets "relaxing snare lock" as a lock that releases pressure on a captured animal when an animal stops pulling. Relaxing snare locks are non-lethal, and are especially important for preventing harm to non-target animals such as pet dogs or protected/regulated species. Adding a definition to the administrative code allows for all residents and conservation officers to have a clear understanding of the requirements of a relaxing snare lock.

I need to build some but I don't want to build something that is not legal.

Snare shop should be able to help.

I think you'll be ok with the micro locks. Few locks actually back up on their own.

Most places I saw that sell snares and cable restraints make and sell them state specific. Newt, snare shop, snare one, F&T, MTP, etc.

Here r PA's legal relaxing locks for cable restraints. And for these to work correctly u must set them so there are no entanglement issues otherwise it's a snare then.

Micro
BMI SLIDE FREE
PENNY
BERKSHIRE 90 DEGREE BEND WASHER
KAATZ "RELAX-A-LOCK"
REICHART 180 DEG REVERSE BEND WASHER

I don't think the reichart locks are relaxing any more than than a majority of non-relaxing locks of were using the back off definition.

They do a little compared to a cam lock or a slim lock.

Very little and a kink eliminates that little bit.

How can ANY lock release preasure. When the cable kinks after the snared animal makes the first lunage and sets the lock. The cable kinks and the cable wraps up fur.


Your out of luck NO lock can do that.

The only thing I can think of to make a lock a relaxing lock according to that definition would be to ream out the hole that the cable slides through bigger and smooth and round off the edges of the hole. That would work most of the time. Aside from that Newt is spot on.

... unless they tangle in something then all bets are off.

Ohio's definition is much simpler.

That’s what I was thinking.....still lots of room for game warden, trapper, hunter and judge to disagree on what is or isn’t. We worked on the same issue here and we agreed to making anything thing that was a one piece closing device, did away with lock nomenclature, was legal. Can’t use Camlocks, Ambergs or an addition of a spring, specifically mentioned too. Now it’s obvious if the closing device is legal or not. Haven’t been any issues I’m aware of. Sounds like whoever wrote that up for you guys was biased against snaring a bit. I’m not a snare man but we all understand the law here now.

I agree.

Here In WI they consider a reverse bend washer lock a relaxing lock.

I will have to call out Newt on this one. I have caught red fox In our CRs and with no entanglement and In several cases I could have re used that CR. And probably 80% of coyotes caught In our CRs the lock Isn't filled with hair and the cable Isn't kinked at the lock. In most cases you can just open the loop and remove the CR from the animal.

That's why I say CRs are more about application than components. My snares can count as CRs in most of the CR states . As long as you don't have entanglement, especially fences, in the equation you can turn m pretty much all domestics and mostl of the wild ones that don't go crazy

That's why I say CRs are more about application than components. My snares can count as CRs in most of the CR states . As long as you don't have entanglement, especially fences, in the equation you can turn m pretty much all domestics and mostl of the wild ones that don't go crazy

So should it still be called a lock if it relaxes LOL

I think the key clarification is the sentence stating . ( Relaxing snare locks are non lethal )