Probably paranoid but I have a couple of game cams over footholds and notice coyotes gnaw and chew on the trap after being caught. Has anyone ever been concerned about breaking the skin on your hand (with no gloves on) on a trap lever while releasing a dispatched animal? I figure some of the veteran trappers here have had it happen. Thanks in advance.

If its dried out, not likely a problem. Fresh saliva, I would worry

No worries for me but a couple of easy fixes if you are worried. First wear gloves the second is get rabies vaccination. I looked into it last year. About $700 through the county health department.
Considering I've never heard of it happening theres probably a much better chance of getting hit by lightning while removing a coyote from a trap.

Savell if u read this i figure with your sin filled lifestyle lightning strike is much higher for you despite your vertical short comings

Post exposure shots are more costly...

And stressful

Nothing to worry about

Yes they are. About 48 thousand dollars for the ER visit and shots.

first off any any animal that looks diseased should be handled with caution (mange ,rabies and distemper) and you probably shouldnt be harvesting the fur for the fur trade any suspected animals with rabies should be handed over to your local health dept for testing all others should be buried or burned

5’9” 160 lbs of twisted steel and sex appeal… coyotes on their own forum right now trying to figure out how to survive me

"5’9” 160 lbs of twisted steel and sex appeal… coyotes on their own forum right now trying to figure out how to survive me"

Great Post! LOL

I must have some dang good insurance. Think post exposure shots for me were around $500 last year. Pretty easy and painless minus the flushing of the bite site

…. What bit you partner ?

Coyote gave me a love tap last Valentine’s Day

Yea Sp94 yours bite was a little more worse than mine.i ended up paying the same amount as you .Thank God I had insurance.

Last year I cut thru a glove while skinning a skunk. Nicked myself just enough so I was concerned. 30 years ago, while researching rabies travel up nerves, I learned the virus moves about an inch a day. If you have long arms, you’ve got more time to get post-exposure protection.

My doc said a lot has changed in our knowledge of rabies since then. He said rabies can get you over a year after exposure. It’s been about a year and I’m not frothing at the mouth…yet.