Trapping Reform in Wyoming

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Dog caught in snare, Vedauwoo, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, WY

DOG SNARING INCIDENT IN VEDAUWOO RECREATION AREA in the Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming near campground and climbing area on January 18. There are several snares remaining in the area, beware!

On Monday, January 18, 2021 in the late afternoon, a couple parked along the Middle Crow Creek in Vedauvoo to ice skate in the area.

“We pulled off the road at Middle Crow Creek, east of the road, right at a well-traveled parking spot to skate around on the ice. Our dog was caught right in the bushes on the north edge of the creek almost as soon as we arrived. It may have been 30-40 feet from the road. He was just fine as it was a basic cable snare and only caught his two front paws.”

Thankfully, the pet and the family are ok.

Thanks to the Laramie WGFD warden, Kristen DeVanon, for investigating the incident on site the next morning. She determined that the snares were set legally.

This is the third trapping incident in Vedauwoo Recreational area this winter season. Warning signs of trapping/snaring should be posted throughout Vedauwoo, followed by a permanent closure to trapping/snaring.
It’s time to end this senseless non-target trapping/snaring on this highly used public recreation area.

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Know what to do if your pet is caught in a trap or snare. Download to your smartphone for access in the field.

Watch our 11-minute video: “How to Release Your Pet From a Trap

Carry tools with you if needed to help release your pet. We have assembled UNtrap Packs to make it easier for you. At a minimum, carry an aircraft cable cutter if your pet is caught in a snare. These tools could save your pet’s life.

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Have you experienced a negative trapping incident involving you, your pet, your family, or another living thing?
Please share your story on our trapping incident form so that we can help you in whatever way we can and bring the realities of trapping to a broader public. Your personal information will be respected, and you may submit anonymously.

Provide as much as possible of the following information so that your report will be as effective as possible. Include species of animal, type of trapping device, name of dog (if applicable), any injuries incurred by animals or humans involved, medical expenses, and as much additional detail as possible. Also, photos are very helpful but not required. We encourage you to include multiple photos and videos of trap, trap set area, bait, wild animal, dog, injury, and a picture of your dog without the trap to add a face to your story.

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Please consider becoming an advocate and taking action!  Join our newsletter, and get involved. We need your help!

Stay safe, everyone!

 

                      There have been three dog-trapping incidents this winter season in Vedauwoo Recreation area.

3 Comments

  • Joe Bisceglia

    Hunters, trappers, atv/utv enthusiasts, all have seasonal times when there activities are permitted either by the forest service or game and fish in the Vedawoo area. Where is the mentality that dogs should have free reign 12 months of the year? Isn’t it illegal to let your dog run free off a leash anyway? Land trapping season runs about four months of the year in the Vedawoo area. Try walking your dog the other 8 months. Just common sense, because public land belongs to all of us not just dog walkers.

    • Wyoming Untrapped

      Thanks for your comment, Joe. Yes, the public land belongs to all of us, not just for one public use. However, traps and trails just don’t mix. To avoid the increasing reported conflicts, there must be places that are designated trap-free throughout our state. We are recommending 24-hour trap checks to prevent injuries and death to all non-target animals. Required reporting of non-target animals is crucial to understanding the impact on Wyoming wildlife, big and small. There is much more we can do to create safe public lands for animals and people.

  • Joe Bisceglia

    I will agree about trails being trap free. However most people let their dogs off the leash. With a dogs great nose they have no trouble finding sets. Then the trapper gets the blame with a legal set catching an illegally running dog. As I mentioned trappers are usually running land sets about four months of the year. Water trapping goes further into March. That leaves 8 months of trap free hiking. I have two goldens that I cherish like most dog owners. I will never be letting them run in December at a place like Vedawoo. Just common sense. As far as trap checks go it really depends on where and what kind of trap is being used. Wyoming’s 72 hour check is to long for checking footholds, I can agree. However I believe 48 hours is ok in most rural areas. Trappers understand trap checks and many run their sets every 24hours. Kill style traps can be checked weekly if the weather stays cold. No one want s to endanger anyone’s pets but when the pet owner is highly critical of trappers, trappers will push back even harder. Then not much is accomplished.

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