Hunting Strategies: Hunting with Dogs and Trapping

Dogs

There are several breeds of dogs that can be used for hunting different game species. Some dogs can be used to hunt several types of game animals.

A trained hunting dog can be an excellent hunting partner.

• Pointers are used primarily for upland game birds.
• Retrievers are large, hearty dogs used primarily to retrieve waterfowl; they also can be trained to hunt other game birds.
• Spaniels are used mainly as flushers.
• Hunting Hounds are used to hunt raccoons and rabbits in the Southeast, lions and bears in the West, and deer in some states.

Trapping

Trapping furbearing animals was once a full-time occupation. Today, regulated trapping is an important tool for managing our nation's natural resources.

• Trapping helps control animal populations by minimizing starvation, reducing spread of disease, and controlling habitat damage or destruction.
• Trapping helps protect personal property by preventing or decreasing:
  • Flooding caused by beaver dams
  • Damage to homes, trees, gardens, and agricultural crops
  • Killing of livestock or pets
• Trapping protects certain endangered or threatened species from predatory furbearers.

When used properly, trapping can be an alternative method to hunting for harvesting furbearers and an effective tool for wildlife management. Trappers should learn about the type of traps appropriate for the animal they're seeking and follow the trapper's code of ethics:

• Obtain the landowner's permission.
• Avoid setting traps in areas where domestic animals may be caught.
• Set traps to capture the target animal in the most humane way possible.
• Check traps at least once every 24 hours, preferably in the early morning.
• Record trap locations accurately.
• Identify all traps with waterproof name and address tags.
• Use as much of the animal as possible. Dispose of animal carcasses properly.
• Make an effort to trap only the surplus animals from each habitat.
• Assist landowners who are having damage problems with wildlife.
• Dispatch trapped furbearers in a humane manner.
• Obtain all required licenses, tags, and permits. Since trapping laws vary by state, check the state's regulations before you go trapping.

Traps can be set either on land or in or near the water. Some types of traps are designed to kill the trapped animal, and others are designed to capture the animal alive and unharmed (live-restraining devices).

• The most common type of killing devices are bodygrip traps.
• Live-restraining devices include foothold traps, enclosed foothold devices, cage traps, and some types of cable devices. With these traps, you are able to release non-target animals.
• Some furbearers are found more often in or near water. For these animals, trappers use submersion trapping systems, which hold the animal underwater until it dies.

dispatch: To put to death quickly