Body-gripping traps measuring 10 by 12 inches, 3 1/4 -inch broadheads to be allowed.
The Board of Game Commissioners on Tuesday approved measures that permit use of a widely available size of body-gripping trap, as well as longer broadheads than previously were permitted.
With the changes, the maximum size for lawfully set body-gripping traps will be 10 inches tall by 12 inches wide. At present, no body-gripping traps larger than 10 inches by 10 inches can be set.
The change will take effect with the start of the 2014-15 hunting and trapping seasons.
Game Commission staff had called the change "nominal," and said it won't have a negative impact on wildlife.
Before adopting the change, commissioners made one amendment to the proposal, which initially included language that 10- by 12-inch body-gripping traps have a single, offset trigger.
The board removed the language related to an offset trigger, noting that offset triggers can compromise beaver trapping success because the traps often won't catch smaller beavers as effectively.
Game Commission staff also reported that expanding the length of permitted broadheads from 3 to 3¼ inches will not have a negative effect on wildlife. The change will accommodate certain handmade and commercially available products.
