An Evaluation of Steel Traps for Taking Fur Animals in Coastal Louisianal

During the winters of 1972-73 and 1973-74 an evaluation was made ofthe effectiveness ofthe leg-hold and killing type (Conibear) trap for taking fur animals in coastal Louisiana. The leg-hold trap caught significantly more nutria and raccoons than the Conibear trap. However, the killing type trap appeared to be more effective for taking muskrats in flooded marshes. Approximately 92 percent of the animals caught in the Conibear were killed by the trap, only 15.8 percent died in the leg-hold. Thirty percent ofthe nutria taken in the leg-hold trap were undersize and released. Survival of undersize nutria, held briefly in captivity, appeared good.

Publication date
Starting page
342
Ending page
347
ID
43874