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FWP Reminding Trappers, Pet Owners to Take Precautions

By Beacon Staff

With standard furbearer seasons underway and wolf trapping set to begin on Dec. 15, state wildlife officials are reminding pet owners to be mindful of trapping activity in the outdoors.

“Trappers are similarly reminded to follow Montana’s regulations aimed at avoiding accidental pet captures and to use every precaution to avoid capturing a dog,” said Brian Giddings, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks furbearer coordinator.

Montana law requires traps on public lands to be set back at least 50 feet from a road or trail and 150 feet for wolf traps; 300 to 1,000 feet from a trailhead; and 1,000 feet from a public campground.

Regulated trapping activities are permitted on public and private lands through February.

Dog owners can take the following steps to further minimize risks: keep your dog on a leash or otherwise always under your control, and don’t let your dog wander off, especially out of sight.

“On the rare occasion when a dog does get caught, it would likely be in foothold device that can be opened to remove the dog’s paw,” Giddings said.

“Both dog owners and trappers care greatly about family pets. Trappers must take precautions when setting traps by ensuring that the trap set is legal and by always bearing in mind the recreational pursuits of other people sharing the outdoors.”

Currently, Montana has about 4,000 licensed trappers.

For more information visit FWP’s website.