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Winter Fox and Coyote Non-Lethal Cable Restraints

Non-lethal cable restraints may be used from Jan. 1 through Mar. 1 to take fox and coyotes, provided:
  • Cable restraints are not placed on publicly owned land or commercial forest lands.
     
  • All cable restraints in possession or carried afield must have a metallic identification tag attached which is affixed with the owner's or user's name and address or Michigan Driver License number.
     
  • Steel cable 1/16 - inch or larger is used.
     
  • The cable restraint loop does not exceed 15 inches in diameter.
     
  • The top of the loop is not placed more than 24 inches above the ground (In snow, 24 inches is measured from the compacted snow in a trapper's footprint established by the full body weight of the trapper.)
     
  • Cable restraints are equipped with a relaxing lock. A relaxing lock is defined as a lock that allows the loop to loosen slightly to reduce the possibility of strangulation. Cable restraints also must be equipped with a stop to prevent the loop from closing to a diameter less than 4¼ inches. Regulations on loop size and relaxing lock are designed to prevent the accidental loss of domestic animals and other nontarget species.
     
  • Cable restraints are equipped with a breakaway locking system with a breaking point not greater than 285 lbs. The breakaway device must be attached to the relaxing lock.
     
  • Cable restraints are affixed to a stake or object sufficient to hold a fox or coyote. It is illegal to use any type of drag.
     
  • Cable restraints are equipped with two swivels, including one swivel at the anchor point.
     
  • Spring poles, counter-balanced weights, springs or other similar devices are not used to close the cable restraint.
     
  • Cable restraints may be up to 60 inches in length, not including a cable anchor extension. The cable anchor extension may be up to 36 inches in length.
     
  • Cable restraints are not attached to a fence or set in a manner that would allow an animal to become entangled in a fence.
     
  • Cable restraints may be anchored to woody vegetation provided that the stem is free of branches and stubs to a height of 5 feet above the ground or compacted snow. Branches and stubs must be cut flush with the outer bark of the stem.
     
  • Cable restraints may not be set so that a restrained animal is suspended with two or more feet off the ground.

Note: Dogs and other domestic animals caught in cable restraints, body-gripping or conibear type traps should be reported to the DNR Report All Poaching hotline at (800) 292-7800. Information on safely removing dogs from traps may be found at How to Release Dogs from Traps .

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