Trapping wild animals can be a great way to get rid of them permanently, but it's important to do it correctly. If you make any of these common mistakes, you could end up with an unwanted guest staying in your home for longer than you bargained for!
Top 4 Mistakes People Make Using Animal Cage Traps
These mistakes can lead to incorrectly trapping and relocating animals, which can be dangerous for the animal and the person handling the trap. This blog post will discuss the top 4 mistakes people make when using live animal cage traps. We'll also provide tips on how to avoid these mistakes and ensure successful animal relocation.
Mistake #1) Not following animal trapping laws...
It is surprisingly easy to break the law when trapping animals. Each state has its own animal trapping laws that must be followed, and these laws can vary significantly. For example, some states require a permit to trap animals, while others do not. Some states have seasons during which animal trapping is allowed, while others do not.
Failing to follow the animal trapping laws in your state can result in hefty fines or even jail time. The likelihood of getting caught comes from transporting the animal. Police officers do not handle wildlife, but in a routine traffic stop, animal control could be called to the scene. If animal control officers find that you have trapped an animal illegally, they will confiscate the animal and issue a citation. To avoid this mistake, ensure you are familiar with the animal trapping laws in your state before setting any traps.
It is not only legal trouble with environmental and federal agencies you must be careful of but also the property rights of others. You must ensure that your trap is never set on private or federally protected land (including state parks) unless you have the explicit permission of the landowner. If you trap an animal on someone else's property, you could be liable for damages and, of course, trespassing.
To avoid this mistake, always research the animal trapping laws in your state before setting a trap. You can find this information online or by contacting your local wildlife agency. In addition, always get permission from the landowner before setting a trap on their property.
Mistake #2) Not checking the trap regularly...
Another mistake people make is not checking the trap regularly. If you leave an animal in a trap for too long, it can become dehydrated or starve to death. It is evident that animal cage traps are used to avoid causing harm to animals, as it is only fair to the animal to consider its wellbeing. But it could easily turn into an inhumane situation if the cage is neglected too often. So, how much should you be checking the trap?
Typically, it takes 24 hours to trap, transport, and release an animal from start to finish. This means that you could afford to check the trap at least once every 4-8 hours, and this is especially dependent on weather conditions. However, many people check twice daily, and environmental agencies will only recommend checking once every 24 hours minimum.
What type of weather should you be trapping animals? Certainly, at times when they are out searching for food. For many animals, this is at dusk and dawn. But also during extreme weather conditions, like a heatwave or cold snap. Animals will be looking for food and water in these conditions, so you are more likely to catch them if you set your trap during these times. However, in that case, you must be checking it constantly and it is not worth risking at all.
Mistake #3) Not baiting the trap correctly...
Another mistake people make is not baiting the trap correctly. If you do not bait the trap correctly, animals will not be attracted to it. To bait a trap correctly, you will need to research what type of food the animal eats.
There is never any guarantee you will capture the animal you're targeting. Always be prepared to capture an animal you might not want to deal with, such as a skunk or a domestic cat or dog. Know what you are capable of doing before you set the trap and what animal you are willing to deal with.
Mistake #4) Leaving babies behind...
Another mistake people make is forgetting that when they trap an animal, they might be trapping a female and leave behind potential offspring. This is especially common with animals that have litters, such as rabbits, opossums, and skunks.
Do your research on the animal you are trying to catch. Many baby animals are entirely helpless and are born blind, deaf, or both, such as groundhog offspring. See what months they are breeding and have litters and try to avoid these periods if you can.
Animals such as opossums and raccoons keep their babies in warm places that are hard to reach, frequently indoors (garage, attic, or basement). Check your indoor spaces for baby animals as well.
Contact Your Local Wildlife Rehab For Advice!
Avoiding these common mistakes will help you successfully catch and relocate animals using live animal cage traps. Always research how to properly use these traps before attempting to catch any animals. Using live animal cage traps is a humane way to relocate animals, but only if they are used correctly. Improper use of these traps can cause harm to both the animal and the person handling the trap. If you have any questions about using live animal cage traps, please contact a professional for assistance.
