| Wildlife agencies, as well as the public who trap, have long been interested in developing and refining traps and trapping techniques that improve the welfare of furbearers captured for research, damage control, fur, and food. The overriding goal has been to design traps that will hold animals unharmed, or in the case of kill-type traps, dispatch them as quickly as possible. Foothold, box, and kill-type trap designs have all been improved substantially. Many new and improved models have gradually replaced older designs.
Trap performance is verified through a process that evaluates all components of a trapping system. In order to insure the scientific credibility of results, trap research programs incorporate appropriate study designs and include rigorous multi-stage testing. Today, various stages of trap research may include:
- computer simulation and mechanical evaluation of traps;
- studies of how animals approach traps;
- trap performance testing in fenced enclosures;
- trap performance testing in the field, and finally
- confirmation tests utilizing independent trappers.
Many trap designs have been evaluated to this degree and tested under a variety of conditions throughout the United States and Canada.
 Ongoing scientific research is aimed at the development of improved trap designs. EGG trap (left) is a new foothold design used specifically to take raccoons. Soft-catch (right) is a modified foothold design with padded jaws. This trap system incorporates a short chain with a shock absorbing spring and double swivels proven to reduce the chance of injury to captured animals. |
While many people and organizations talk about improving trapping, only a few have provided funding for developing new traps and improving older designs. Trap research in North America has been funded jointly by the Government of Canada, The International Fur Trade Federation, state and provincial wildlife departments, and the Fur Institute of Canada. Wildlife agencies use the findings of these studies to assess and incorporate new information into trapping regulations and trapper education programs.
While research has led to entirely new trap designs for some species, modification of existing kill traps and foothold traps is also of great importance. Adjusting chain length, adding swivels to the chain, providing for adjustable pan tension, and/or replacing conventional jaws with offset, laminated, or padded jaws can improve the welfare of captured furbearers. Researchers continue to explore new and innovative design possibilities. Everyone--managers, regulators, biologists, and the public who trap--is interested in using the best technology available for the responsible capture of furbearers.
Animal Welfare  Improving Traps
Best Practices Management Trapping is Selective
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