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Idaho officials won’t restrict use of trap that killed 2 dogs

The Columbian
Published: November 17, 2014, 12:00am

POST FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Idaho’s Fish and Game commissioners say they’d rather have trappers take classes than restrict the use of controversial body-gripping snares.

Officials have been weighing the issue since receiving complaints from hunters and other people worried about their safety in areas used by trappers. The “conibear” snares killed two dogs in northern Idaho last winter.

But the commission declined Thursday to move forward with proposals to restrict the use of the traps.

Instead, the commissioners said they would consider mandatory trapper education classes, as are already required of hunters and wolf trappers. They said they want the department to work with trapper groups on a plan for developing the classes, and they plan to take up the issue again at their meeting in January.

“I think this whole issue is emotional right now, and I hate to see rules and laws come out of emotion,” Commissioner Mark Doerr said.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game wildlife manager Jon Rachael says the state issued licenses to about 2,400 trappers this year, a number that has been rising along with fur prices.

In January, a pet dog wondered off a hiking trail near Kellogg and stepped in a large, unmarked trap set for a wild animal. The pet’s owner couldn’t release the jaws, and her 12-year-old son watched as the dog, Loyal, died.

The trapper’s name wasn’t on the trap, and Fish and Game officials were unable to discover who laid it.

Trappers are allowed to set traps in many public recreational areas as long as they are at least 5 feet from the center of any trail. Trappers are not required to post warning signs.

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