Guidelines for Cable Restraints
For a cable restraint site:
- Find a good location where the movements of target animals are concentrated.
- Determine natural constriction points that may channel target animals into the set. These can also be made by constructing “brush fences” that direct the animal to a set location. Follow these guidelines when constructing a brush fence.
- In Pennsylvania, a brush fence must be constructed of small, dead materials that will easily break when encountering the cable. In addition:
- Any material that is ½ inch or larger must be removed. However, small clumps of woody vegetation may be just as dangerous as larger vegetation if not properly removed.
- Materials may not be removed on state-owned lands.
- Remember to make brush fences well in advance of trapping season to allow the animals time to get used to the changes.
- In Pennsylvania, a brush fence must be constructed of small, dead materials that will easily break when encountering the cable. In addition:
- After a constriction point is located, locate the anchor site and measure how far the cable will reach once animal is caught.
- The animal should not be able to reach a source of entanglement once captured by the cable restraint.
- A good rule of thumb is to add 12 inches from end of the closed cable restraint (after attached to an anchor point) to any source of entanglement.