I used snares quite a bit before the new breakaway law and I was reading the reg book today and just making sure I’m thinking the right way. It says you need a breakaway device on every snare except for a snare under ice. Is there a gray area somewhere in there if you are snaring beaver let’s say and the snare is completely submerged with no ice are you still good with no breakaway? Only reason I ask is I have a bunch of snares made from before this newer law and rather then take them apart to add a breakaway or throw them out I was just curious.

I snare alot but not under the ice. I am thinking if your snare is set completely submerged you will be fine. Adding on the break away isn't to hard. I use sure locks or the older Thompson locks on my snares and just have to cut the cable stop off the lock end and add the break away. Look at the break away and purchase the ones that are turned the right way for the locks that are on your snares.

No gray area. Snares in water without ice need breakaways.

Gray area was maybe the wrong term. I was just using what I thought was common sense as under ice and fully submerged open water are in a way the same thing imo. But thank you guys for the response.

If we want to keep the tools we have it's best to follow the laws as written

How can you use snares for mink, muskrats and squirrels? Is 24 ga wire legal since it would easily break away from a large amimal?

A Moose will stick its head under water to feed. Bears will enter the water to cool off. Neither is as common with ice cover ! Both were concerns brought up by Wildlife. While conflict is rare the law change was introduced to minimize incidents.

Who do you know that has caught a Moose or a bear in an underwater snare of any kind . Just doesn't happen Southern MN. has no moose or bears.

Ask your local warden, he's the one that would write you up if you don't do it according to the law

I don’t personally know anyone. I don’t personally know who snared the Wolf that trotted through Duluth wearing cable either. But I do know as a Trapper I would prefer to avoid that type public exposure.

I don’t think NoDak or SD hold huge Bear or Moose populations either. But if I am not mistaken they also utilize a BAD.

I saw no benefits to complicate the law change with Farmland / Forest type language. Often only a narrow strip of tar separates them.

I agree. I've emailed the DNR several times and gotten a quick (usually) response. Save the email.

Quite often the warden won't know either. We've had a large fluxuation of new wardens fresh out of school who are still learning the basics. But I would still call the main office and have your local CO call you personally.

I wouldn't call anyone. The statute says only snares under ice don't require a BAD. Pretty plain English.

And if you snare a moose or bear under the ice I want to see pictures!

Had a warden that didn't look like he was old enough to have graduated Jr. high tell me I couldn't trap fox and coyote in MS in October because season didn't start until November.

I told him to hang on a second, walked inside, got the DNR game reg pamphlet, and showed him where fox and coyote were unprotected game that could be trapped year around.

He left in a bit of a huff, trying to make off with my trap that he "confiscated for trapping out of season" before my husband hailed him down and said he'd like our legally set trap back.

Not had any problems with the boy since then.