Trappers now have more direct guidance on the types of locks that can be used on snares.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today adopted a measure that requires snares used to capture beavers and otters to be equipped with approved locks, which already had been required for cable restraints used to capture foxes and coyotes.

Previously, the law required a snare be equipped with “a mechanical sliding metal release lock.”

The change, which was recommended by the Pennsylvania Trapper’s Association, intends to expand the number and types of locks available to trappers using snares, and create consistency in the legal lock requirements for cable restraints and snares.

The change also allows for use of cage or box traps for taking furbearers.

The approved cable-restraint locks that would also apply to snares are: the Reichart 180-Degree Reverse Bend Washer; Kaatz Relax-a-Lock; Berkshire 90-Degree Bend Washer; Micro Lock; BMI Slide Free Lock; and Penny Lock.

The list of approved locks is based on research conducted during the development of the Best Management Practices for Trapping in the United States.