The purpose of making trap locations available on this website is to warn people who may be recreating on public lands with companion dogs about the dangers of traps on public lands. Tampering with traps is illegal in the State of Montana…

[But setting out the equivalent of indiscriminant land mines to clamp onto the foot or leg of anyone who happens along is perfectly legal. Also legal, according to Montana Trapping Regulations]: There is no trap check requirement in Montana.

Trappers may not check their traps for days at a time. Read the stories of animals we know suffered alone in traps for several days. How many other animals suffer consecutive cold nights struggling against steel jaws? You will not find out from trappers, who have no incentive to report inhumane abuses. Can you imagine your family dog or cat, scared and vulnerable, with its leg caught in a trap for four or five days—and bitter cold nights—at a time? [It happens far too often; I’ve seen it happen twice to two different dogs in different locations].

Unlike hunting, with specified bag limits and seasons, trappers may trap all year long and kill as much wildlife as they wish. Only five furbearer species—bobcat, fisher, river otter, swift fox and wolverine—are subject to quotas.  Every other animal in Montana—even endangered species—may be killed 365 days a year as incidental catch.

Trap locations noted on this map have been reported to Footloose Montana by people recreating on public lands. If you encounter traps on public lands, please call us at (406) 274-7878

Here’s the map: http://www.footloosemontana.org/trapping-season-2011-12/map/

Also see: https://exposingthebiggame.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/time-to-end-a-twisted-tradition/