We just started another session of firearms training. I always do a class on trapping one of the nights. Last fall during my trapping class someone asked me if it was legal in any state to trap bears with a foothold trap anymore? I wasn't sure. Does anyone know if any state allows it? If so, there must be some pretty stringent requirements.

Maine allows it but like you thought there's quite a few requirments

I thought there was a Maine guy posting here who was doing it, and posted pics? Maybe 10 years ago?

I think it would be a hoot but any catch and release situations could get a bit sporty.

Osky

No state allows trapping bears with a common foothold trap. Maine does allow bear trapping with a leg snare. I've done a half dozen or so.

there's a video on YouTube about it. its posted by a guy named Kendall gray just search " kendall Gray Bear trapping in maine" youlle know it when you see it.

we always used foot snares in our ADC work

Trapping bears with foothold traps is illegal in nearly all U.S. states. The only exceptions are places like Alaska, where it’s sometimes allowed under strict predator control or research programs.

If permitted, it involves large, padded traps, frequent checks, and special permits. It’s not part of regular trapping seasons and is heavily regulated.

Not legal anywheres I know of now.Only foot snares are allowed in some states.

Maybe the researchers use footholds? The predator control I was involved with used foot snares. Just cheaper and lighter.

Can't find it. I do know this Kendell is some kind of a nut. "I'm Kendall Gray. I'm from Kentucky"

I do know that lots of trapping videos are being pulled from YouTube.

2006 was the last yr that Maine allowed steel traps for bear. 07 was live traps or snares only. We caught our bear the first night. With a steel trap that i bought at the NTA in hutchens ks

My buddy trapped a bear in Maine last fall and killed one on a bait. I think he is going back this fall.

Maine has alot of black bear.They are fun to trap even with the foot snares,with hounds,and over bait.

Kid is not someone we want making trapping videos. He made one a few years back. where a coon made it up a tree because he had a loose loop around the tree with his wire and vs making it tight to the tree. The coon had fallen and was hanging from the trap dead. Very bad imagine for trappers.

I emailed him and explained why the coon was able to get up the tree and how to avoide it happening again and pointed out posting videos showcasing his mistakes give antis ammo and to avoid doing so would be better for trappers.

He came back with he shows whats real and had a lot of bravado and excuses. I replied back I am sorry clicks are more Important to you than protecting trapping rights in this country and my boys will no longer be allowed to watch your videos.

He always came off as a moron to me in them I just figured it was part of the act to get the views. BUT he is smart enough to do well financially on u tube

Agree with PF on this one. That Kendall Gray dude is not someone we need to support if we want to keep our trapping rights.

And probably less dangerous to the public.

Are there any requirements warning the public there are bear snares in the area?

like it or not kendall Gray is who people see as a average trapper so we need to support him and get him to sharpen his image for us hes probably the most popular trapper on YouTube we need him to correct his image

I know guys that catch them on damage control, this one was caught while coyote trapping. It was released without a scratch. Duke 650 pro.


wws

My daughter was in college and trapped some black bears on one of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. They used leg snares. She also did a lot of bear denning.
Now she's tagging grizzly bears in Alaska.