Coyote Trap Testing Results

In the October 1999 edition of the Trapper Newsletter, there was an article outlining coyote trap testing which took place during the early fall of the same year. This project was part of the trap testing program of the Trap Research and Development Committee of the Fur Institute of Canada. Trappers were chosen from within the provincial trappers associations of the 4 provinces involved. These trappers were chosen on their ability to successfully catch coyotes using foot hold traps. This trapping session took place concurrently in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Each team consisted of a trapper and a technician who was present to ensure the adherence to trapping protocol. Mike Boudreau and trapper Lloyd Duncanson were the technician/trapper team for the Nova Scotia component of the project.

The purpose of the test was to evaluate a number of commonly used traps to catch coyotes. Up to the time of the testing, the Belisle foot snare was the only trap which met thresholds in the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards for coyotes. The results of the testing have been analyzed, and the Bridger #3, equipped with 4 coils and a 5/16" offset, a double jaw lamination (3/16" on top and 1/4" on the bottom), center swivelled on base plate of the trap, has passed the AIHTS. The performance of this Bridger #3 in the latest round of testing, will now give trappers another tool to use when trapping coyotes.