Commission Approves Trapping Restrictions

Restrictions specifying distance of traps from designated trails and campgrounds were included in a set of new rules on trapping approved earlier this month by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. The commission approved the changes to trapping law as they were proposed by department staff but added an amendment to direct staff to continue to work with trappers and trapping associations to refine the rules as needed. Wildlife manager Jon Rachael told commissioners the new rules had been worked out in months of talks with the Idaho Trappers Association and had been reviewed by the public before they were proposed to the commission. An official of the Idaho Trappers Association was present at the commission's Idaho Falls meeting to support the proposal. Commissioners did have some questions about the restriction on distance of traps from campgrounds, noting they might be too restrictive in some situations but agreed the new rules would be tried before being altered. The new rules say ground traps may not be placed within 300 feet of designated public campgrounds, trailheads or picnic areas. Traps may not be placed closer than five feet from the centerline of any maintained public trail. The rules also require a breakaway device on snares to prevent trapping large animals.