Livestock Predation Protection part 5 - Toe Catch

Livestock Predation Protection , part 5 Continued from part 4 , Trapping has came a very long way since the days of Jim Bridger , Hugh Glass and the Mountain Man trapping era , when it wasn't regulated. Traps have been improved upon , changed and modified. Gone are the days of unregulated trappers and trapping. Traps are not inhumane as many would want you to believe like PETA , HSUS and groups as those. Traps with teeth or bone crushing strength are gone from normal use as "Disney" and "Hollywood" portray. Today's traps are tried and tested and in most states are heavily regulated as to their use and placement to avoid conflict with the general public and pets. Regulations are in place and agreed upon by Local , State , Federal and International government organizations as well as Local , State , National and International trapping associations and trappers themselves. The use of Snares or Cable restraints is no different in most cases than the use of a leash on your pet dogs. They can be used in trails leading through tall grasses , crawl unders , game trails , etc. Check your State and local regulations and laws before setting them as each state has different rules about their use. Cage/live traps , are exactly what the name implies they are a cage that will trap and hold the predator for removal. Cages can be used in and around buildings , barns , outbuildings , brush piles , etc. Cages come in a wide variety of sizes from small enough for rabbits and squirrel to Raccoon and Opossum to Bobcats to large enough for Hogs , Mountain Lions and Bears. Cages are used by Wildlife Agencies , Animal Control Agents , Trappers and Home Owners alike. Dog Proof (DP) are a foot enclosing trap and like cages are used in areas are not an option because of pets for the removal of Raccoon and Opossum. However not intended for them they have caught Skunks , Fox as well. Foot holds , are used for everything from Weasel and Mink up to predators the size of bears. They are very effective in holding a predator by the foot and when used correctly won't harm the predator or any livestock or pets that may get caught. I know there are many who will not ever set a trap or allow anyone to hunt to protect their livestock from predation and that's their choice and I'll respect their right to that totally , while others will and I will respect and support that right as well. I will encourage everyone either way to support others rights to do so if they choose to. When others locally and throughout your state hunt and trap to harvest the excessively abundant wildlife and predators on public and private lands in your state they are actually indirectly helping to protect you , your homestead and your livestock from harm and predation be it the deer eating your orchard or garden to the coyote who is attacking your livestock. If you have livestock on your homestead it is your responsibility to protect them as best as possible. Each and every state allows for you to protect yourself , your loved ones , your homestead and your livestock from attack. Some states require you to contact a wildlife official to get the ok to do so , while others allow you to do so freely by any means possible. I urge you to contact your State wildlife agency and know what the laws allow for your state. If you don't and you do something illegal and get caught then you deserve the punishment. Also if your state bans or regulates you to the point you cannot use hunting or trapping as a tool to protect your homestead and livestock and you voted for it or allowed it and tied the hands of every homesteader and outdoorsmen in your state from protecting or helping protect yours and every other homestead and are you're loosing livestock , then you have nobody to blame except yourself. I'm in no way trying to belittle anyone with these final statements, but only trying to open their eyes to the reality and scientific based data that proves and far out ways anything that can be gained by it not being available for your use. Toe Catch.