Traps Set in Dog Valley
Told in person: I was hiking in Dog Valley about three years ago. I saw a bunch of traps. [Note: Dog Valley is a very popular recreation area.]
Hiker Snared by Ankle
April 22, 2012 personal conversation
My wife and I were hiking in Spanish Springs, in Griffith Canyon, along the canyon floor, in early March, 2012. We entered the canyon at its NW end, just E of El Molino. After a bit, the trail forks. We took the right-hand fork which leads to the petroglyphs. There was a branch across the trail, blocking the trail so that we were forced to go around. Above this was a white flag. We investigated and found a large steel-jaw leghold trap, with teeth, concealed under the branch.
A bit further up the trail, I noticed a strange sensation on my ankle. My wife saw it was a snare and yelled for me to stop. I was able to remove the steel snare before being tripped and possibly injured on rocks or sharp brush, or breaking my ankle. I noted the snare was attached to a stake in the ground.
As I was not injured, I didn’t call any authorities, but this experience leads to several questions: “They should post a sign. Animals can’t read; it wouldn’t keep animals away, but it would protect people.” “What if a deer gets caught out of season?” “I was lucky to be wearing boots. What if somebody with tennis shoes got snared?”[Griffith Canyon is a popular local attraction where families and groups frequently hike to the petroglyphs. This hiker did not sustain lasting injury, but the potential for serious injury was certainly present.]
Trapper Points Gun at Dog Owner
April 22, 2012 personal conversation:
I was out with my hunting dog, a Brittany Spaniel, January 2012. We were in the mountains west of Pleasant Valley. She was suddenly caught in a leghold trap by her front leg. I was able to open the trap myself. Along came a trapper and told me: “I didn’t hear yelping. They’re not my traps.” He was carrying a gun which he pointed at me. This was intimidating to say the least, so I didn’t ask him any questions. I did check with NDOW later and they told me the trap was legally set. So nothing was ever done. I strongly suspect the trapper was lying, but I was intimidated by his aiming his gun at me.
A few years before that encounter, my other dog, a golden retriever was caught by her front leg in the same area but further south, toward the highway bridge. I was able to open the trap. I called NDOW and was told the trap was legal and nothing was done.
At hearings, trappers claim they are victims. How are they victims when incidents like this are rarely reported, but do happen.
Sportsman Calls for Trap Regulation
Tuesday, November 08, 2011 Exhibit Posted by NDOW
Hello my name is Charles Rahn I am a Nevada outdoorsman and hunter and I am writing to support new regulation to have traps checked every 24 hours and be placed far from residences. I have seen animals wasted in leg traps for weeks and stumbled across many traps that have been anchored directly on paths. At a time when sportsmen are seeing a sharp decrease in reverence as every NASCAR yahoo try’s to shoot something from the heated seat on his quad, it is important that all sportsmen take on the role of ambassador. The trapping practices surrounding pyramid lake have been despicable.
Thank you
Charles Rahn
Traps Do Not Discriminate
Wednesday, November 09, 2011 Exhibit Posted on NDOW Website
Two years ago my dog was caught in a trap, within 80 ft of a trail, 300 ft of King Street in Carson City. I hiked from the house at 209 Sussex Place, across King St. and up a well used off road trail. A scent was near the trap and several reflective streamers. It ws a cold day in January with a lot of snow on the ground, the dog was in severe pain, while I attempted to release the trap. I called a friend who called animal control and 2 hours later a state or county official came to my rescue to release the trap. There was no name on the trap and it was in violation of trapping regulations, also the reflective lures and the bait at the trap were illegal. Trapping is a painful and slow death for animals caught,and does not discriminate, many pets are caught and die in these inhuman contraptions that do not serve any purpose other than to reward the trapper several hundred dollars, and a horrible torturous death to the animal. Myself and all I have spoken to after the event, cannot understand why any such devices are allowed in the State of Nevada or in any civilized society.
Robert Jones