Dog gets caught in illegally placed trap at Quail Lake; DWR sees resurgence in trappers

ST. GEORGE – Southern Utah resident Scott Adams received an unwanted gift the morning after Christmas when, while walking his dogs along a familiar path at Quail Lake, his 40-pound corgi stepped into an illegally placed, spring- loaded trap – a common complaint received by Division of Wildlife Resources during bobcat trapping season

Sandra Adams said her husband was walking their dogs along a well-worn path near the water’s edge of Quail Lake when Duke, their corgi, ran ahead, then started yelping.

Duke, a 40-pound corgi, owned by Scott and Sandra Adams, Hurricane, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Bruce Smith, 11,000 Lakes Photography, St. George News
Duke, a 40-pound corgi, owned by Scott and Sandra Adams, Hurricane, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Bruce Smith, 11,000 Lakes Photography, St. George News

“The trap had been concealed by being buried in sand and was secured by a chain to a nearby metal pipe,” she said. “My husband passes that area, on that path, often and had never seen the trap before. Scott was able to push the trap open and release Duke’s foot. There was recent blood and fur on the trap, not Duke’s. ”

For 10 years they have walked their dogs along the same path without incident, Sandra Adams said. They were astonished to learn that depending on the land zoning, the trap could’ve been placed near shallow water in a fishing area legally, because it was on the edge of territory managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

“The trap had its required numbered tag on it and was traced,” she said. “If it was found to have been placed illegally we agreed to prosecute.”

Duke’s injuries were minor, Sandra Adams said, a swollen paw and a sore hip from flailing around trying to free himself from the 6-inch rusted trap; but, she said, what concerned her the most was that anyone could fall victim to an inconsiderately placed trap.

More traps were discovered by law enforcement near the one that caught Duke.

“What if our dog had been a small human child, or a smaller dog?” she asked. “What if it snapped shut on a person who was hiking alone and had been unable to free themselves?”

Sandra Adams also said she was especially concerned about the threat of tetanus to a victim of a rusty trap.

Unwitting encounters with traps

This year’s trapping season began in November 2014 and ends Feb. 15. With the number of bobcat tags allowed per trapper doubling this year, Division of Wildlife Resources Conservation Officer Mark Ekins said, dog owners should be on the lookout for poorly located traps.

Until now, trappers could only “bag” up to three bobcats per season, but this year they can harvest as many as six bobcats, he said. That has led to a spike in trapping activity in unauthorized locations.

More than any other time of year, Ekins said, the DWR becomes flooded with complaints from dog owners whose pet had become caught in a furbearer’s trap during bobcat season.

“It’s always a dog,” he said. “And the reason for that is because of their nose, you know?”

Anyone whose dog gets caught in a trap should be careful when they approach their animal. A lot of times dogs will become more injured by trying to free themselves than they would by calming down and allowing their owner to release them.

The first thing they should do is try to calm their dog down by talking softly to them and petting them,” he said. “Once the dog is calm there is a latch on the side of the trap that easily releases by stepping on it with the tip of their shoe.”

In his 10 years as a conservation officer, Ekins said, he couldn’t think of a single instance in which a human, including a child, had been caught in a trap.

Typically traps are set far away from where any person could set it off or tamper with it, he said, and there are strict rules about the type of traps that can be used, and how they must be prepared before placing them. Trapping is an expensive and time consuming activity; a trap set off with nothing to show for it is not usually an exciting prospect for a trapper.

Money for pelts

“Most of these guys are pretty good and ethical,” Ekins said. “What happens is … when bobcat season starts, well, there’s dollar bills out there in the air and a lot of these people say, ‘hey, that seems like some pretty easy money – go catch a couple of bobcats and make some money.’”

The trouble stems from uneducated trappers who don’t know the laws and see nothing but dollar signs. Many of them have very little experience trapping bobcats, Ekins said, but the demand for high-end pelts has drawn up to $1,200 overseas in the past year, opening doors for opportunists looking to cash in.

The chances of fetching that high of a dollar amount for the average bobcat fur harvested are very slim, said Kent Fowden, Utah Trapping Association president. The average bobcat fur sells for between $400 and $600.

“There’s kind of a misnomer for the prices,” Fowden said. “There’s always a few select pelts that will go really high, but people look at the highs, they don’t look at the low end or the average.”

There are a lot of factors that weigh in to the final price for each bobcat fur sold at market, Fowden said, but for the most part, trappers lose money on a pelt by the time it’s harvested. Once licensing, tags, gas, equipment, time, effort and skill are added into the equation, it becomes more of a labor of love than a moneymaking venture, he said.

“Say you catch an average bobcat at $450 for sale,” he said. “That cat probably cost the trapper close to $600 to harvest.”

Resurgence in trappers

The number of Utah Trapper Association members has skyrocketed from 400 to 1,400 in the past four years, Fowden said. The reason behind the trapping resurgence is a need to reconnect with the legacy of trapping in Utah built generations before for many of the association member’s ancestors, he said.

“Generally it’s (in) areas that their fathers trapped, or their grandfather trapped, and they took them in their youth,” he said. “And so they like to go back and explore and redo what their grandpa did, and what’s been passed on for generations.”

Though the number of members has risen exponentially, Fowden said, the number of bobcats harvested each year has stayed at a fairly even keel.

Guidelines and restrictions

The “2014-2015 Utah Furbearer Guidebook” establishes guidelines for trapping everything from ferrets to bobcats – including dates, license requirements, how traps should be set and where they should be placed, what kind of bait to use and how to avoid accidentally trapping the wrong animal.

According to the guidebook, “Hunting and trapping any wildlife is prohibited within the boundaries of all state park areas, except those designated open to hunting by the Division of Parks and Recreation under Utah Admin. Rule R651-614-4.”

The trap that caught the Adams’ dog at Quail Creek State Park was not allowed to be placed where it was, Sand Hollow Corporate and Gunlock State Park Manager Laura Melling said. Technically, it was on BLM land, but there is currently a management agreement that places the care of the land under the jurisdiction of the state park.

The reason we don’t allow it is because it’s a recreation area and we don’t want anybody or their pets injured in any way,” Melling said. “The only person who can give permission is me, and I have not done so.”

“It’s not just a verbal permission either, I would have to write them a permit to do it,” she said.

The traps that were found as a result of the Adams’ unfortunate encounter were all placed illegally, Melling said, and citations have been issued to the registered owner of the traps.

“This area falls under several different regulations and there was no permission for him to have been trapping there at all,” Melling said. “We removed the traps and we did issue a citation and it will go to court.”

If anyone encounters a trap that is in a questionable place, they should inform authorities, Ekins said. Laws are in place to protect trappers and setting off traps or removing them from where they were found could result in legal action against the well-meaning citizen.

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66 Comments

  • koolaid January 2, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    Outrageous,but what can you expect from the boys of Dixie?

    • arts and letters January 2, 2015 at 2:20 pm

      Gotta agree with you, Koolaid…2015 and people are still acting like 19th century outlaws…

    • koolaid January 2, 2015 at 6:26 pm

      I’m surprised that trap isn’t at the bottom of Quail Lake

    • Zion January 2, 2015 at 7:22 pm

      Exactly. That goes for most of Utah.

  • Sunshine January 2, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    How sad. As if the wildlife don’t have it hard enough. Now a dog is injured or killed. Hope Karma kicks in for that good ole boy.

    • Dana January 2, 2015 at 3:45 pm

      I hope the owners learned their lesson. Keep your dogs on a leash by your side. For ten years, they were lucky. It only takes one bad incident to ruin it for the dog.

      • Koolaid January 2, 2015 at 4:37 pm

        A three-legged dog walks into a bar and says, “I’m looking for the man what shot my paw…”

        • evil twins mommy January 2, 2015 at 6:08 pm

          That joke is old news let it go

          • Koolaid January 3, 2015 at 9:37 pm

            I bet that dog has a bone to pick with that trapper.

      • Realistic January 2, 2015 at 7:45 pm

        What if it happens to be a child next time? Am I supposed to keep my kid on a leash? What if it were someone who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? I admit I am against trapping as I find it barbaric. That being said, since it is legal, why can’t we keep it to the areas where people don’t frequent? I do not feel this was the owner’s fault, I feel it was irresponsibility on the part of the trapper.

        • Dana January 3, 2015 at 5:21 am

          I don’t like trapping either. However, this would not have happened if the dog’s owners had their pet on a leash. Re: children being injured, again, parents need to watch their children.

  • Let's Evolve January 2, 2015 at 4:02 pm

    Around 90 countries have banned leghold traps. The U.S is still in the dark ages, with only 8 states having either banned or restricted their use. Only someone who is totally callous to suffering would set one of these traps. I’ve noticed a generational belief system in this area that considers predators needing to be completely eradicated. Hopefully the younger generations will be able to bypass this brainwashing.

  • Char January 2, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    “….labor of love…”?!?!?! It’s more cruety than anything, no love involved here. And if they catch one, how do they kill it? I’m sure in those areas where these traps are next to the lake would not allow for firearm dispatching. Just plain cruel and it needs to be stopped.

  • zionbluesky January 2, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    Absolutely archaic and inhumane. We like to go on hikes with our dogs. We see these trappers all over Pine Mountain. These guys would probably like to bring back the coliseums and gladiators. Wake up DNR and outlaw this now!

  • zionbluesky January 2, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    By the way, this article is very well written.

  • Bender January 2, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    40 lbs! Whoa, that’s a big corgi. You’re a tough dog Duke. Report to the Queen of England for Royal guard duty.

  • Chris January 2, 2015 at 5:06 pm

    “misnomer “?? Apparently, literacy and trapping are mutually exclusive.

  • arts and letters January 2, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    “The reason behind the trapping resurgence is a need to reconnect with the legacy of trapping in Utah built generations before for many of the association member’s ancestors, he said…they like to go back and explore and redo what their grandpa did…”

    People like this can live in the good old days all they want, but it’s just make-believe and handcart mentality. Those previous generations used an outhouse too, most likely, and hauled ice for the icebox, cooked on a woodstove and used a washboard on laundry day, among other things. I don’t think any of these trappers are itching to really go back. They’re just yahoos who want to kill things.

  • that guy January 2, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    If I come across one the owner will never get his trap back. Or I will destroy it completely. No one makes a living off this. Just a cold hearted individuals would place this kind of trap, someone who is careless if someone or some small furry animal suffers.

  • dumbbutt January 2, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    All you hippies need to get a life. There is nothing wrong with trapping.

    • evil twins mommy January 2, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      Wow the peanut gallery spoke up… you better get some rest you must be exhausted after having an actual thought

    • Realistic January 2, 2015 at 7:52 pm

      Except it causes a danger to others (people, including children, and domesticated animals) and perpetuates violence and suffering towards the trapped animal. Even hunting is more humane as the animal is killed instantly (usually), not left in a trap to struggle, panic, and die a horrible death.

      BTW most of us are not hippies, we’re just more educated and informed because we chose to be so. Go pick up a book or simply do a Google search on the topic. If you read information on both sides of the issue and still think “There is nothing wrong with trapping”, then that says more about you as a human being.

    • that guy January 3, 2015 at 3:14 am

      All you backwards thinking rednecks need to get educated …

    • Sunshine January 3, 2015 at 9:07 am

      Put your arm in one and activate it and see how your like it.

  • Coyote Hunter January 2, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    The law says a dog must be on a six foot or shorter leash in a utah state park. I bet they didn’t give a citation for that.

    • Just Ben January 2, 2015 at 11:03 pm

      I bet you’re right.

    • Justme..... January 3, 2015 at 12:48 am

      Actually…the laws are:

      Pets are allowed in all U.S. National Forests, but must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times while in developed recreation areas and on interpretive trails. Most other areas within the National Forests do not require dogs to be on a leash, but they should be under control at all times. Pets are not permitted in swimming areas. To find a U.S. National Forest click here

      …there are no defined or marked trails out at Quail, or any of the other popular walking/running sites in So. Utah that come to mind. Granted, this is a State Park, not a National Park the same laws seem to apply.

      • Coyote Hunter January 3, 2015 at 7:55 am

        So if I go waterfowl hunting at Gunlock or Quail I can use an unleashed dog to retrieve Ducks and Geese?

        • Justme... January 3, 2015 at 3:07 pm

          I don’t think you can shoot a gun at Quail but I’d call and ask. Be careful to watch for the family of bald eagles that are nesting in the Hurricane area. Saw one yesterday. The babies are not obvious (for coloration) and they seem to love water.

  • happyhunter January 2, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    So let’s get a few things straight. This story makes it sound like the trap was set on a well traveled hiking trail right on the lake. It was actualy in the bottom of a wash a few miles away from the lake. It was not set on state property or is it maintained by the state. The reason trapping is permitted in the state is for predator control, ,(Predator), these cute little Bobcats, coyotes, and foxes are killers and they are over populated.

    • arts and letters January 2, 2015 at 10:32 pm

      Happy Hunter says: “It was not set on state property or is it maintained by the state.”

      Official quoted in the story says: “Technically, it was on BLM land, but there is currently a management agreement that places the care of the land under the jurisdiction of the state park.”

      I’m gonna believe the official. Maybe this was your trap, Happy?

    • Sunshine January 3, 2015 at 9:08 am

      People are killers too…

  • Hiker January 2, 2015 at 8:03 pm

    Really sick! Hope they do not do what they did in Ivins. Our brilliant City Council made it legal!!!!

  • real life January 2, 2015 at 8:10 pm

    I have no problem with hunting. A lot of my friends are hunters, and they respect the land usually more than others. However trapping is just plain barbaric. In fact I am with That Guy. Just destroy it if you see one.

    • Justme..... January 3, 2015 at 12:51 am

      If you see a trap it is likely placed inappropriately…back away and call DNR. That is someone’s property and it is dangerous. Do the right thing. Snapping it shut is one thing, stealing is another. Let DNR do their job.

  • happy hunter January 2, 2015 at 8:34 pm

    FYI That Guy, before you start your search and destroy campaign ,a trap is considered personal property, to tamper with, destroy or steel a set trap is fully punishable buy law. Happy hunting

    • that guy January 3, 2015 at 3:11 am

      Alot of ananimals are protected to do you sit and watch your traps to ensure you do not kill endangered species ? No I bet you don’t I am also betting you do care you just hurry up and burry them. So I will do as I said I will and take my chances just like you do.

      • Bobber2 January 3, 2015 at 6:43 am

        Might also want to use “spell check” next time or proof read your work before hitting “Submit”

        • sue January 3, 2015 at 7:06 pm

          Bobber, you might want to write a complete sentence and use punctuation at the end.

  • Surge January 3, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    Mrs. Adams and many posters obviously know nothing about how traps actually work. Her concern, “What if it snapped shut on a person who was hiking alone and had been unable to free themselves?” or “What if it had been a small child” and especially her concern of tetanus are proof of that. Only a moron would not be able to figure out how to release a foot (animal,child,or self) from a leg hold trap even if they had never seen one before. They are called a “leghold” for a reason. They apply just enough pressure to “hold” the leg NOT break the leg. Simply press or step on the latch on the side and it releases the pressure. To get tetanus from a leg hold a person would have to spin and twist the trap repeatedly for an extended amount of time to try and get it to break the skin. You have better odds of winning the lottery than to get tetanus from trap! If a small child stepped in a trap worst case scenario is a bruise or a little swelling. They are NOT life threatening to any human.
    I am not condoning the placement of the trap. It obviously should not have been placed in the state park but some of you act like someones life was in danger. Get real or better yet educate yourself on how a trap actually works!
    For those of you who say that you would steal, break, or throw away a trappers legally set trap are idiots! A thief is about as worthless of a human being as possible regardless of what your motive is. If I ever caught someone stealing or destructing ANY of my property I guarantee you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!

    • tough guy January 3, 2015 at 6:22 pm

      Ooooooooohhh, look out for this guy. A child will not be hurt by getting their leg caught in a trap. Give me a break. The only “worthless idiot” here is you.

      • Surge January 3, 2015 at 9:29 pm

        Like I said, you obviously have never used or been around a leg hold. I have shown many people how they are not as forceful as people perceive by personally stepping on one and showing how easy it is to release. If you would like I could show you in person but I doubt you would take me up on the offer “tough guy”.

    • justine January 4, 2015 at 11:04 am

      “Only a moron would not be able to figure out how to release a foot (animal,child,or self) from a leg hold trap even if they had never seen one before.” NOT TRUE SURGE.

      Leghold trap release is NOT intuitive. One has to press on BOTH sides of the bars with equal pressure. Many times you actually cannot apply enough pressure with your hands if the trap is old, rusty, or ‘sticky’ and you have to use your feet. My own dog was caught in a trap in UT right on the Road, a road recommended in a travel book, just 10′ ahead of me. The trap was not visible as it was covered with dirt and feces. Releasing a struggling child or dog can be tricky and if you’ve never seen a leg-hold before, your apt to be very confused.

      • Surge January 4, 2015 at 2:05 pm

        I never said someone couldn’t get confused or that someone would figure it out within a split second. My point was that a person using a little common sense will figure it out which by the sound of it you did.
        You do bring up a valid point in the story of your personal experience. Almost all of these instances of dogs getting caught in a trap have a common theme. The trap is on or next to a road or hiking trail. It seems so simple to me on how to avoid the vast majority of these conflicts in a win win situation for both dog owners and trappers. A buffer zone in which a trap must be a certain distance from a public road or marked hiking trail, a 50-100 yard buffer would eliminate almost all of these situations. Dog owners could walk their dog without real concern about them getting caught in a trap and trappers could continue on with their legal hobby without worrying about extremists wanting to steal and/or destroy their property. I’m sure some on both sides will disagree with me but it seems like a fairly simple compromise to me.

        • Seeking justice January 5, 2015 at 10:03 pm

          What is your idea of a hiking trail? A drainage pipe under the road is NOT meant for hiking!

          • Surge January 6, 2015 at 6:14 pm

            If your question was aimed at me obviously a drainage pipe is not a hiking trail (common sense???). My idea was for MARKED trails, meaning on a map or a trail built specifically for hikers.

  • Ernie Elmway January 3, 2015 at 5:53 pm

    I run a program for abused animals. My first response was, the owners of this dog should be ticketed and have this animal removed from them. That dog is so fat it’s unhealthy. If it were a child they would be arrested. If it was a child this fat the bullies would have a hay day making fun of it. You folks should be ashamed for the miss treatment of this fat dog. As for trapping it’s like with women. Don’t do it unless your after the ….
    Ed. ellipsis

    • sue January 3, 2015 at 7:29 pm

      OMG, Ernie are you serious? I volunteer at the shelter. How about going after the owners that starve, beat and abandon their animals? Not after the guy who is out walking his dog giving it some fresh air and exercise. And my neighbor has 3 “fat” children. Do you really think they will come and arrest her? Time for a reality check Ernie!

    • Evil twins mommy January 4, 2015 at 1:20 am

      LOL hey ERNIE its spelled mistreatment not. Miss treatment. LOL you should be ashamed of your inability to spell.. LOL and you should be arrested for being an idiot

  • Koolaid January 3, 2015 at 9:30 pm

    Maybe it was some hard up guy from Cedar City trying to trap hisself a dog.

  • SandraAdams January 4, 2015 at 3:19 am

    This has been an interesting read…it’s probably time to be heard rather than just be quoted. I appreciate the concern for Duke. He’s healing and seems to be doing fine. Tetanus was a huge concern…Duke has not had a tetanus shot. Yes, animals get tetanus. Yes, that trap was filthy and rusty, covered in dirt and contaminants of the last animal trapped. My concern there was legitimate. Thankfully this was a closed injury. His ankle/leg swelled up pretty good but it was not broken. Contrary to what one person wrote Duke is neither fat nor unhealthy. He’s a happy little dog that loves to run every night. (Worry about his foot, not his weight.) I wish that the article had focused on a couple of things that were discussed but somehow omitted: First of all….I knew nothing about the operation or presence of local traps until this happened. That issue is why STGnews wrote the article…to warn people. In this county of newly built homes, many owned by residents who came from out of states, I bet most residents know less than I do (now) about trapping. Second issue…why were there no signs warning people that the traps were there? Isn’t that a point of discussion that needs to happen? No matter what your feeling about trappers/trapping can’t we all agree that only humans can read signs? Posting a temporary sign where the dirt met pavement, or near the trap itself, would have prevented this situation. The trapper in this situation is not the story here, neither is the victim (Duke). The story is that this traditional hunt is happening NOW…on public lands, in populated areas…and risks can be minimized through notification and education…that’s the only story that matters. Peace out!

    • LOR January 4, 2015 at 8:54 am

      Sandra, PLease see our following comment.
      Take a look at WyomingUntrapped.org for trapping resources. Also, there is a trapping reform group launching in your area, which you can read about on our
      http://wyominguntrapped.org/news/new-organization-seek-safe-trails-trapping-reform-just-launched-utah/
      Also, two trappers who placed illegal traps near Jackson, WY, and caught a local dog resulting in injuries, were cited, taken to court, resulting in fines and jail time. The public must follow through, or the trappers will just get a slap on the hand, as is usually the case.
      Trap-free organizations are forming in every state, and now there will be a resource in Utah. Get involved. Stay strong, and work for trapping reform.
      It’s time that the public has a reasonable expectation for safety on public land, and there is a need for setbacks on public trails, and closures in some areas.
      Please contact us if you have questions: [email protected] or visit our website, wyominguntrapped.org
      We wish you the best.

    • Surge January 4, 2015 at 10:10 am

      Mrs. Adams, I’m glad to hear Duke is doing fine (I assumed he would be) and you now know a little more about trapping. The purpose of my post was not to bash anyone(except for thieves) it was intended to inform people that the traps people use in Utah are not as powerful or life threatening as many perceive.
      With Dukes wound being closed as you stated there was no legitimate concern for tetanus and the article states you are concerned about the risk of tetanus for future “victims”. Todays traps don’t break the skin, they hold the leg and have two swivels on the chain to prevent the trap from spinning on animals leg. A hiker would never be stuck unable to free themselves due to the fact that a trap does not open up big enough to clamp over your entire shoe and even if it did you would just have to press on the tabs on the side. When have any of you even heard of some getting stuck in a trap? It does not happen.

      Your idea of posting signs would probably help inform people who don’t know about trapping but in my opinion will never become a law or rule because of people like Koolaid, Real life, That Guy, and many more who openly state they would steal and/or destroy someones legally owned property.

      Being that you have first hand knowledge of the incident I am hoping you can clarify some information left out of the article. Approx. how close was the trap to shoreline of Quail Lake?

      For anyone wanting to see how a trap actually works go to the facebook comments on this story and near the top of the comments is a video link by a man named Donnie that shows him setting a trap on himself and how easy it is to remove.

      • tough guy January 4, 2015 at 7:52 pm

        Surge, you have a guilty conscience there buddy?

        • Surge January 4, 2015 at 9:48 pm

          Nope, I will never feel guilty about being a licensed law abiding trapper. I have owned dogs my entire life and have been around trapping just as long so I see both sides of the argument. It actually pisses me off that someone would set a trap on a road or trail, it puts a bad light on trapping and unnecessarily causes people to hate all trappers including those of us trappers who stay away from areas that hikers and pets frequent.

  • LOR January 4, 2015 at 8:48 am

    There is an organization forming in Utah which will address trapping reform in the state.
    http://wyominguntrapped.org/news/new-organization-seek-safe-trails-trapping-reform-just-launched-utah/
    In Wyoming, traps can be found on over 85% of public lands, and can be placed directly on public trails, every single day of the year. Predator traps do not require a license, and the trapper can place unlimited numbers of traps. There are no limits to trap size. Leghold traps require a 72 hour trap check, conibears and snares up to a 13 day trap check. There are few “safe zones” for people, pets, or wildlife in Wyoming. Wyoming Untrapped is working to change that. For trapping resources, and for videos showing how to release you pet from a trap, please visit our website http://www.wyominguntrapped.org.
    You can also read about two trappers in Jackson, WY, who were cited for illegal trapping. Both were fined, and one spent 5 days in jail.
    http://county10.com/2014/02/09/two-alpine-men-convicted-multiple-trapping-violations/
    Let trappers know that illegal trapping will result in jail time, and that the public will not tolerate traps near hiking trails and frequented public areas. Step by step, we are raising awareness, and the need for trapping reform.
    The public should have a reasonable expectation for safety on public lands.
    Contact us at [email protected] if we can assist in any way.

    • Surge January 4, 2015 at 10:33 am

      While your information MIGHT be accurate for Wyoming it is not the same in Utah, not even close! Utah does require trappers to have a license and traps must have ID tags on them. Utah has strict limits on the size of traps allowed. Trap check time limits are much less here in Utah, not even close to the numbers you have stated. Trappers already know breaking the law can result in jail time as does anyone who participates in any activity that requires a license(driving, building a home, hunting, fishing, etc.). I do however agree that placing a trap on a hiking trail is a bad idea and not considerate of others right to go on a walk with their dog. A simple law to place traps at least 100 yards off publicly marked hiking trails would resolve the vast majority of conflicts. The reform you talk of has already been done in Utah.

    • Sunshine January 4, 2015 at 9:35 pm

      What organization exactly is forming to address trapping?

  • LoveToHuntandFish January 5, 2015 at 7:05 pm

    Wow there are a lot of haters out there when it comes to trapping and hunting. I know the Adams well and they are great people. I also know Duke very well since he craps on my lawn almost daily. I assume he was not on a leash at the lake since he runs wild in Hurricane and may have run up a wash 100+ yards to get into a trap. How far off the trail if it was a trail was the trap? I do not trap but support those who do legally.

  • one of the three. January 5, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    I hope the reporter and the park manager are held accountable for there false reporting.

  • Seeking justice January 5, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    Wow, this has to be a record for how many lies told in one story! I hope all are held accountable!!

  • Surge January 6, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    I have heard some drastically different stories about where the trap was actually set. Sure would be nice if Mr. or Mrs. Adams would truthfully answer the question I asked a few days ago. From what I’ve heard around town the trap wasn’t even on a trail or close to the lake!

    • LoveToHuntandFish January 6, 2015 at 11:08 pm

      I agree, lets get the truth from the Adams and the Genius that runs the Quail creek state park. Since she did not even know that bobcats are not protected before making statements, I probably would not believe much that she has to say. If the traps were set in a legal area, who is responsible for the legal expenses that the owner of the trap will have?

  • pbatech January 7, 2015 at 12:54 pm

    A toddler or young child might not just step into a trap. What if they tripped and fell into it? They could lose a hand and fingers and be disabled for the rest of their life. Children are always running ahead and not paying attention to their parents. Parents take them out into a park so they can run around and not have to walk by their sides to avoid traffic like in the cities and towns. Children are not going to be able to figure out how to get themselves out of a trap.

    If you want to show the effect of putting your foot into a trap, make sure you are barefoot at the time. The poor animals who are caught are not wearing boots at the time.

    • Koolaid January 7, 2015 at 1:29 pm

      Maybe toddlers and young children should be kept on a leash. You can’t be overly protective in these Dixie lands.

    • Surge January 7, 2015 at 9:02 pm

      Please learn about the topic before you spew made up thoughts and imaginations of scenerios that can NOT happen! Like I said earlier if you want to see how a trap actually works go to the facebook comments on this story and near the top is a video link of a man named Donnie showing himself setting a trap on his hand. Every year many trappers accidently have their trap go off on their hand and do NOT lose fingers, hands, or have any permanent damage done! No child is ever going to lose a finger or hand or be disabled from a trap that is used in Utah. Good grief!!!

      It is illegal to put traps in a park! Just like any law, violators should be and will be cited and have to go to court.

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