Page 44 - January/February 2023 Outdoor Oklahoma

DON P. BROWN/ODWC DON P. BROWN/ODWC

An instructor demonstrates how to set a trap.
DON P. BROWN/ODWC

Attention to detail when setting traps is very important.

ulated trapping to reduce the impact that predators can have
on their animals and pocketbooks. The focus will be on what
type of predator is needing to be managed depending on
the type of livestock, what type of depredation-prevention
measures have already been taken, and the property’s loca-
tion in the state. Free-range poultry producers will have more
variables to consider than pen-raised poultry. A stocker cattle
operation will have different concerns than a cow-calf outfit. Many trappers will use a sieve to shake soil over the top of a set trap in order
Crop producers can reduce the amount of live crop dam- to hide it better.
age on their agricultural fields, stored grains/crop loss at sity. While this is a necessity, so is managing the predator
their granaries, and field/irrigation damage by conducting load that having a quality and diverse habitat brings with it.
a program of regulated trapping for problematic species. It is possible, with the selectivity of trap types and place-
Landowners who manage their property for recreation, ments, to target individual species that would be key to
fishing, or hunting can benefit greatly from regulated a landowner’s management goals. Using an enclosed
trapping on their acreage. Fishing or recreational bodies trigger-style trap to target raccoons in an area where
of water are susceptible to fish predation, impoundment, nest predation is severe can be extremely beneficial to
or infrastructure damage from wildlife. Using regulated ground-nesting birds while not interfering with dog run-
trapping as a management tool to reduce or eliminate the ning activities on the property.
monetary cost and labor needed in resolving such issues Adjusting pan tension on a foot-hold-style trap along
can be worth the effort for the property owner. with proper trap placement and species-specific lures can
Managing a property for big game and upland gamebird be very selective for attracting coyotes in an area where
hunting primarily has a focus on habitat quality and diver- white-tailed deer recruitment has been an issue.

42 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA