Search Trapping Incidents Database

A black bear was caught in a body grip trap left for other wildlife in a forest. The black bear died as a result.

A hunting dog (German Shorthair) was caught in a leg-hold trap left for wildlife on a trail. Dog had no apparent injury.

A pet dog was caught in a cable restraint left for wildlife on a trail. Dog was taken to a vet and treated for hypothermia and dehydration, but later died.

A wolf was reported caught in a coyote snare in the East Fork of the Bitterroot in MT. MFWP warden and wolf staff responded and found a male gray pup from the East Fork pack with its right front leg entwined in the snare. The rest of the pack was howling nearby and based on the condition of the animal it was not thought to have been in the snare very long. The pup was collared and released. Upon recovery the pup moved off quickly and seemed to be regaining feeling and use of the injured leg. On a monitoring flight on the 21st the collar was on mortality. Holder (MFWP) followed up on the morning of the 22nd and found the dead wolf. It will be sent to the lab for necropsy.”

White-Tailed fawn was caught in a cable restraint left in a forest for other wildlife. Fawn died as a result.

White-Tailed Buck was caught in a cable restraint left in a forest for other wildlife. Buck was able to pull the trap out of the ground and left with the cable and stake around it’s neck.

White-Tailed Buck was caught in a cable restraint left on a trail for other wildlife. Buck was released with no apparent injury.

A local woman’s dog was caught in a leghold trap about 90 feet off a popular trail. Although warning signs were posted, the woman ignored them or did not see them. The dog suffered bruising but no lasting damage to the foot. The woman has been served with a violation for taking the trap and plans to take it to court, but the charge will likely be dropped because it would bring unwelcome publicity. The trap was legal, the trapper reported to be a 20-year-old local boy.

A lynx was found dead in a trap that had been set for other species. The lynx had apparently climbed a tree that was standing inches away from the trap and became ensnared when it reached into the trap.

A man walked his dog beside the greens of a golf course when he let the dog off his leash. Rupert suddenly darted into the woods. Then the man heard an excruciating howl, and found Rupert “flopping around” with his head in the trap. The trap was tethered to the ground and the man could not get it free. The trap was baited with fish oil. Police responded quickly, but the dog was dead. It took three men to pry the springs open to release Rupert. A police investigation has been inconclusive.