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Trap Selectivity
The following regulations were developed to help improve the selectivity of dryland body-gripping traps in an effort to reduce the take of non-target animals. Although the set regulations on this page are required only on public land, these sets also may be useful to private-land trappers. Selective trapping techniques are essential for maintaining trapping opportunity in Michigan. Trappers are encouraged to use the most selective trapping techniques possible.
Dryland and Surface Ice Public-Land Body-Gripping Trap Regulations:
Body-gripping traps less than 5.5 inches inside the jaw hinges may be set without restrictions if used according to other regulations. All legal body-gripping traps of any size may be used if they are four or more feet off the ground without set restriction.
Body-gripping traps set on dryland or on ice on public lands without the use of bait, lure or attractant must be no greater than 6.5 inches inside the jaw hinges (160s) and only may be set such that no part of the body-gripping surface is more than 8 inches above the ground (Figure 1).
Body-gripping traps 5.5 inches to 7.5 inches inside the jaw hinges (160s and 220s) set on dryland or on ice with the use of bait, lure, or other attractants may be used only in the following manner:
In a container of the following design:
- opening height six inches or less
- eight-inch minimum spring trap placement slots
- trap trigger recessed minimum of six inches
See Figures 2 and 3.
In a container of the following design:
- only one entrance, facing the ground
- container set so entrance is no more than six inches from ground
- trap trigger recessed minimum of four inches
See Figure 4.
Dryland and Surface Ice Private-Land Body-Gripping Trap Regulations:
It is unlawful to set a body-gripping or conibear-type trap larger than 7.5 inches in width (as measured inside the jaw hinges) on drylands that are privately owned, or over frozen submerged privately owned bottomlands unless the trap is four or more feet above dry ground or the frozen surface of ice. See above for regulations for body-gripping traps on publicly owned lands.
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