I've been looking on the GFP website and haven't found anything there. I knew there used to be a spot. Do any of you South Dakota guys know the rules/regs for it? Specifically how far off the road is considered right of way and from what point on the road? I usually prefer to get permission for the whole slough since most of the time they just want them gone and like seeing a kid trapping. Just curious about it. Thanks in advance!

-TheYouthTrapper

I believe it’s 33 feet from the center of the road

Even if you're legal it's risky trapping right of way as people can't leave your traps alone. They "find" them and take them. I set traps after dark and pick them up before dawn to prevent theft.

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If you're trapping right of ways or anywhere in visual range of the road, you have to pick spots or rig up ways that hide traps and catches from passerby. In the right spots ive ran beaver traps literally a foot off the pavement with no issues.

I have trapped ROW's for nearly 40 years now. I almost never make an attempt to hide my traps or catches. Do I get stuff stolen, yes, but I make more money by setting all the good locations rather than hiding. That is when furs are worth trapping for money.

Ok, I've heard 25 feet from the center, or 25 from the ditch.

I'm not running any land sets and most people won't get wet when it's 30 degrees outside. Especially since most don't keep waders in their trucks.

It'd be for muskrat and mink sets where most people can't reach them without getting wet unless they have waders.

Never think like that, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Where you put a trap, 8/10 other people will have no problem getting to it or taking it just because. People are dumb, and its a bummer when it happens.

IT's 33 feet from the center of the road in Iowa as well. The ROW is 66' wide total.

Page 68-69 in this years regs explains everything you need to know.

Thank you!

Same here. I quit worrying about what other people will do and just set. I lose a few to theft every year but consider it a part of doing business.

I wouldn't worry about it to much. If possible check in the morning. I have had a lot of muskrat floats in the right of way with no problems. Like stated you have to set where they are at!

The Youth Trapper- I'm envious of you. There's actually water up there in the northeast. Good luck...

I can't check in the morning with the school since it doesn't get light out till around 7:45 to 8.

Still, quite a few sloughs dried up though, one of the sloughs had beaver lodge sized muskrat huts and now there is only one normal sized hut.

Thats what headlamps are for. Done a lot of checking traps before work/school under the stars.

I agree with those who don't worry about theft. Having said that, my advice would be just be smart about what traps you put in right of ways. Here in MO I dont really have an issue with trap theft, but I also only run cheaper traps so if they do steal it I can live with them stealing a couple duke 330s more so than them stealing some belisle 330s. Or to the country mowers.......

X2
Most theft today is not about getting the fur, it's about the value of the traps