More wolves caught in coyote traps. There is a way to minimize this.
Nov. 14, 2005, note added 11-18
In my recent update on wolves of Southwest Montana, I described the situation where a coyote trapper accidentally trapped six wolves from the Black Canyon Pack one night. One wolf pulled out clean, but two walked away with traps on their feet to an unknown fate.
Ed Bangs, Gray Wolf Recovery Coordinator for the Northern Rockies wolf recovery project reported a recent Idaho incident where the trap was set correctly. He wrote:
"On November 4th a coyote trapper from Challis, ID reported catching a wolf in a coyote trap. Idaho WS specialist Williamson met Idaho Fish and Game [conservation officer] Cole Wilkie, Forest Service Mike Foster, and a fur trapper from Challis. The trapper had set traps for coyotes and had trapped an adult male wolf. He was using a #2 Bridger 4 coil trap that was staked down. WS radio-collared the wolf and released him on site. Local ranchers were notified. The trapper had welded all of the stress points on his trap chain and swivels and was using 20" stakes. The trapper said he had heard Williamson speak at the Nation Trappers Assoc. meeting in Blackfoot, ID about trapping coyotes in wolf country. He said he was happy to have that advice and it avoided a wolf running around with a coyote trap on it's foot. Great job WS and thanks to the trapper too."
Meanwhile in Yellowstone coyote researchers had a mishap. On Nov. 4 the coyote researchers caught a black Leopold Pack wolf in a #3 soft catch trap. I was told by one of the coyote researchers that the chain broke due to metal fatigue. The wolf walked off with the trap. By Nov. 9, the wolf was observed back with the Leopold Pack sans trap, but limping, and still on three legs as of Nov. 18. It could be that the wolf will not regain much use of the injured foot. Attempts to capture the wolf and treat it were not successful.
Smith said #3 traps are too big. Coyotes trappers should use #2s, and have a backup drag chain with a hook, but there seems to be disagreement about whether #3's are too big.
Hopefully these unintended wolf trappings will cease and/or the wolf will be held securely uninjured.
So folks can get an idea of the terminology and the look of traps, here is a page featuring Bridger traps. Research trapping of wolves and coyotes is done carefully, but not flawlessly, and the animals are rarely injured to any lasting degree. Darting wolves for capture has resulted in wolf mortality. Most of the wolf collaring done in Idaho and Montana is done by setting traps. I think some folks believe aircraft assisted capture is the norm.
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