Bodygripping Traps

In recent years, the bodygripping trap has become more popular. When a furbearer passes through this type of trap, it is caught by the body, and the trap is designed to kill the target animal quickly.

• Bodygripping traps are useful and efficient. They generally are used in drowning sets for mink, muskrat, and beaver.
• On land, large bodygripping traps may capture or kill free-roaming or non-target wildlife. For this reason, Ohio only allows large traps to be used in drowning sets. Smaller traps may be allowed on land, but they must meet Ohio’s size regulations to prevent the death of non-target animals.
• Here are the current Ohio regulations for these traps.
• Bodygripping traps with a jaw spread that measures 5 inches or less can be legally:
  • Used on dry land or...
  • Partially or completely submerged in a natural body of water.
• Bodygripping traps with a jaw spread that measures 5 inches but less than or equal to 7 inches:
  • Partially or completely submerged in a natural body of water and...
  • CANNOT be used on dry land.
• Bodygripping traps with a jaw spread that measures more than 7 inches:
  • Completely submerged in a natural body of water AND only during the beaver or river otter season and...
  • CANNOT be used on dry land or partially submerged.
• Similar to foothold traps, some manufacturers use numbers for the different sizes of traps they sell.
• It is your responsibility to know the actual size of the traps you are using.
• See “Setting and Releasing Traps” for instructions on how to measure the jaw spread.
• When using large bodygripping traps, it is best not to trap alone. It can be difficult to release a trap if you accidentally close one on your hand or arm. Trap with a partner whenever possible.