Game Warden question

[big papa]

I was just told by another deputy that he spoke to a Game Warden and was told by the Game Warden that hog traps can not have tops any more. Thus making the hog traps that are completely enclosed illegal. Does anyone have any insight into this? If this is true then how in the world does TPWD expect to have any help with the hog problem. Also I can not find this law any where even the outdoor annual. So if it does exist please direct me to where I can read it.

[DrenalinJunkie]

we have had to many deer get in our traps over the years so I have been useing topless traps for along time..........

[eradicator]

That's going to be bad news for hog trappers on the day that pigs fly!!

[bryan sandlin]

i watch most of the changes in the game laws. have not seen this one yet. but if i did not, more than one of us may have. the man that you spoke to, does he sell traps? if it is a law, then i will follow.

[Bonesplitter]

I can agree with that. Not a pretty site to see a deer in one.

[tomkat]

Trapping may be used for nongame/exotic animals (e.g., feral hogs, rabbits, etc.) on private property.

•
Depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non-resident) or landowner’s agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the landowner’s land.

[big papa]

we have had to many deer get in our traps over the years so I have been useing topless traps for along time..........

Man that sucks. I have trapped for many years and I have never had one get into any traps. Not to say it won't happen tonight. I really hope not. But I have never worried about it as I only know one person that this happened to. I have tried the pen traps but can not get them to go in there. Maybe my set up is wrong. Do you have any suggestions and/or pictures of how to do it?

[JeffJ]

I just put a top on ours. I also put cattle panel over the front except for the bottom two feet to keep deer out.

[DrenalinJunkie]

Man that sucks. I have traped for many many years and I have never had one get into any traps. Not to say it won't happen tonight. I really hope not. But I have never worried about it as I only know one person that this happened to. I have tried the pen traps but can not get them to go in there. Maybe my set up is wrong. Do you have any suggestions and/or pictures of how to do it?

I haven't trapped hogs in quite awhile but the deer in my last post was a doe... Needless to say we were more than shocked to find her in an enclosed trap that was MAYBE large enough for one good sized hog. Dang near ended up with a broken arm trying to get her out of it.

Since that day, any time I have ever built hog traps, we looked for and used old trampoline frames with panels around them. We always used drop doors as well....... don't know if it made a difference but we always caught hogs.

Now I just shoot 'em........ I don't have the time anymore to be what I consider an "Ethical" trapper.

[big papa]

Hmmm???

[Fishndude]

Hehehehehe!!!!! Hahahahahaaaaaaaa!!!

[hand grenade]

geez another rule to have your attorney to review before you even attempt tho hunt/ live an outdoorsman lifestyle..... lets all move to nyc for pete sake!!!!!!!!!! give me a freegin break. i can see deer gettin stuck in a hog trap here and there but to make a rule on how to make a hog trap when 99% of the time you have a HOG in a hog trap is just stupid. another way to discourage up and coming hunters or trappers.

[labman]

Not unless the law was enacted after 5pm today. I spent the day in class listening to presentations by a Game Wardern, a state biologist, an Animal Damage Control Specialist and the Pesticide Head Guy in Charge for Texas who covered a myriad of topics. All touched on hogs, and the ADC specialist specifically addressed several types of hog traps, some covered, some not.

Of course since many of our laws are written in obtuse legalese by UT attorneys, the guys above might not have been able to wade thru the latest legal updates.

[buzzbait]

your buddy lied to you

[Hot4huntin]

Not true!

TPWD: Feral Hogs

Hog Trap Specifications

Materials: Frame: 3/8" or 1/4" steel rod or rebar.
Mesh: 4" Cattle Panel - galvanized.
Heavy duty galvanized spring for swing door.

Weld all parts of frame to ensure strength and durability. After frame is constructed, tack weld cattle panels to frame on all sides, including bottom, to prevent hog from digging out. Take care not to leave any pointed ends of the cut panel sticking out.

Construct spring or root door separately and install so that opening in front operates as illustrated. The doors should be mounted on one side of the front panel and need to be at least 20-24" wide and 18-24" tall. For the spring doors, place a full length of 1/4" rod just inside the side of the trap side to act as a stop (as illustrated). Take care to measure accurately during construction so that spring door when closed will hit trap side stop. Using a heavy-duty spring available at most hardware stores), place one end on the spring door and one end to the front of the cage at the top. Cut the spring to fit so that it allows the spring door to slam shut securely. Do not use excessive tension on the spring that may prevent smaller hogs from entering. For root doors, the ground acts as the doorstop. The root door is hinged from the top and should be longer than the opening so it hits the ground inside the trap at about a 60- degree angle. A heavy piece of angle iron should be used as the bottom of the root door to make sure it stays on the ground but not too heavy to prevent smaller pigs from lifting it with their snout. An angled piece of panel should be placed on the inside side to cover the hole that is left from the angled door while the side of the trap covers the other hole.