Staff members from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are available to demonstrate commonly-used traps to groups of hunters or pet owners who contact a DNR regional headquarters office.
Upon request from a group, a DNR wildlife staff member will demonstrate the workings of foothold and body-grip traps, as well as snares. Group members will also have a chance to handle the traps and practice releasing a simulated animal using a variety of common methods.
?ÄúThese brief demonstrations could be part of a regularly held meeting, or they could be held specifically for the purpose of learning more about traps,?Äù said Steve Merchant, DNR populations and regulations manager. ?ÄúAccidental catches of dogs in traps do not happen very often, but knowing how to release a dog from a trap can reduce injury or save a dog?Äôs life.?Äù
Groups interested in scheduling a demonstration should contact the DNR regional wildlife office in their area at one of the numbers below. The group will be responsible for scheduling the demonstration and providing a venue. DNR wildlife staff will bring several varieties of traps, informational brochures and other equipment.
Contact information
?Ä¢ Bemidji (northwest): (218) 308-2651.
?Ä¢ Grand Rapids (northeast): (218) 999-7930.
?Ä¢ St. Paul (central) (651) 259-5204.
?Ä¢ Nicollet (south) (507) 225-3572.
For more information about trapping and furbearers, see www.mndnr.gov/trapping.