Rabbit Snaring on Crown Land

[GummyMonster]

Morning,
I've looked for this one online, but can't find anything current and definitive.
Looking for things to do with the family that gets everyone out of the house and away from them darn electronics.

My question:
Can we set snares for Snowshoe Hares on crown land, whether it's a Registered Trapline or not?
Not looking to be running all over someone's trapline, just want to set a few bunny catchers along the bush roads, without breaking any laws.
I know many of you know the wildlife and land use regulations by heart, so I'm hoping to get an answer, being the holidays and the Fish and Wildlife offices being closed for the "Pandemic " as well.
Thanks in advance,
Ken

[4extreme]

I believe trapping of any animal without a trapping permit is not allowed

[Newf]

From the trapping regulations:

Rabbit or hare may be hunted (but not trapped), throughout the province, at any time of year, without a licence on land which the person has the right of access for hunting. A resident may use snares to take rabbit or hare, provided the snare meets Regulatory Requirements for the Use of Trapping Devices.

https://albertaregulations.ca/trappi...anagement.html

[calgarychef]

I guess this is another can of worms...


According to the regulations just posted; You can hunt but not trap but you can snare. So are we to understand that leg hood traps are out but snares are ok?

You may do this on any land that you have the right of access for hunting.
Seeing as you can hunt rabbits on crown land ..does that mean that you’re ok to snare bunnies ?

[ghostguy6]

Snare devices, including neck snares, power snares and foot snares, may only be set for the taking of fur-bearing animals under the authority of a Registered Fur Management Licence or
— by holders of Resident Fur Management Licences for bobcat, coyote, fox, squirrel or wolf (provided they meet the requirements listed in this section) and for beaver (provided the snare loop is completely under water).
— by residents for rabbit or hare on lands to which they have right-of-access (provided the snare wire is not larger than 20-gauge and the snare loop is not more than 13 cm (5 in.) in diameter).

Looks like you can use foothold snares for rabbits and hares

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by ghostguy6

Looks like you can use foothold snares for rabbits and hares

The use of the word “or” is important, without a trappers license you cannot use footholds for anything.

Rabbits can be shot or snared legally without license.

**edit I see you meant “foot snares” not foot holds. I would be using snares set for dispatch on a rabbit though... not a foot hold snare personally.

LC

[blgoodbrand1]

Where do you read that?


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[GummyMonster]

I think I'll reach out to a F & W officer and ask.
Not sure how this one really goes.
I believe that we have right of access to crown land, and since it's not considered a furbearer, we should be able to.
But I don't know if a Registered Trapline over rules the right of access for this.
I'll dig out the local officers cards I have , and shoot them an email.
I'll post the answer I get.
Best to know exactly how it is.

Thanks,
Ken

[WinefredCommander]

How would you handle any bycatch caught in rabbit snares? No way this is legal on crown.

[Speckle55]

Yes you can as per —

by residents for rabbit or hare on lands to which they have right-of-access (provided the snare wire is not larger than 20-gauge and the snare loop is not more than 13 cm (5 in.) in diameter).


this is the way too snare them with 20 gauge as they can break if on ground .... picture shows how

David

Originally Posted by GummyMonster

Morning,
I've looked for this one online, but can't find anything current and definitive.
Looking for things to do with the family that gets everyone out of the house and away from them darn electronics.

My question:
Can we set snares for Snowshoe Hares on crown land, whether it's a Registered Trapline or not?
Not looking to be running all over someone's trapline, just want to set a few bunny catchers along the bush roads, without breaking any laws.
I know many of you know the wildlife and land use regulations by heart, so I'm hoping to get an answer, being the holidays and the Fish and Wildlife offices being closed for the "Pandemic " as well.
Thanks in advance,
Ken

[GummyMonster]

Not sure how much by catch you'd get in a rabbit snare, especially when properly placed and covered.
The snare wire is purposely kept thin, so anything larger would simply break it, is my interpretation.
I'll contact an officer today and post the answer I get.
Ken

[58thecat]

Snare devices, including neck snares, power snares and foot snares, may only be set for the taking of fur-bearing animals under the authority of a Registered Fur Management Licence or
— by holders of Resident Fur Management Licences for bobcat, coyote, fox, squirrel or wolf (provided they meet the requirements listed in this section) and for beaver (provided the snare loop is completely under water).
— by residents for rabbit or hare on lands to which they have right-of-access (provided the snare wire is not larger than 20-gauge and the snare loop is not more than 13 cm (5 in.) in diameter

Real easy to answer that one....have at it.

[kingrat]

Only accidental catch I've ever seen in a rabbit snare was a ruffie grouse twice. I'd check daily and even at that expect to feed a coyote or two.

[calgarychef]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Snare devices, including neck snares, power snares and foot snares, may only be set for the taking of fur-bearing animals under the authority of a Registered Fur Management Licence or
— by holders of Resident Fur Management Licences for bobcat, coyote, fox, squirrel or wolf (provided they meet the requirements listed in this section) and for beaver (provided the snare loop is completely under water).
— by residents for rabbit or hare on lands to which they have right-of-access (provided the snare wire is not larger than 20-gauge and the snare loop is not more than 13 cm (5 in.) in diameter

Real easy to answer that one....have at it.

I’d have to agree, we have right of access on crown land so, enjoy the
Hasenpfeffer.

[GummyMonster]

Thanks guys.
I'm now waiting for a reply from the F&W officer (not sure if that's their title anymore) and I'll post the info they send.
Just for confirmation.
Ken

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by calgarychef

I’d have to agree, we have right of access on crown land so, enjoy the
Hasenpfeffer.

Not quiet. I believe right of access is another way of saying you have permission, which is not needed on crown land.

Whenever I see right of access mentioned it is referring to private land.

From the regulations;

Red Fox
–
A Resident may, without a licence and at all times of the
year, hunt (but not trap) red fox on any privately owned land to which he
or she has the right of access.

Notice it only mentions right of access to privately owned land.

Where hunting is permitted on crown land right of access is not mentioned, because it is not needed

Other Animals
–
Porcupine, rabbit, hare, raccoon and woodchuck may
be hunted, but not trapped**, without a licence throughout the province, at
all times of the year. Skunk may be hunted and trapped.

** Some exceptions apply. Please refer to the 2020 Alberta Guide to Trapping Regulations
, available in September 2020.

.

One exception is of course access to private land. Others can be found in the trapping regulations.

From the trapping regulations;

Coyotes may be hunted (but not trapped), without a licence, at all
times of the year throughout the province:

a) - by a resident who has right of access to hunt on lands that are
not public lands within the Green Area;

b) - by the owner or occupant of privately owned land, on the
privately owned land;

c) - by a person maintaining livestock on public land, on that public
land; or

d) on lands described in c) that are in the Green Area, by a resident
who is authorized in writing by the person described in c).

Note again, crown land and private land are addressed separately and right of access is only mentioned for private land and leased land.

[35 whelen]

I've been following This Thread did we ever get an answer on this question

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[Donkey Oatey]

Section 7(9), schedule 1, Wildlife Regulation

(9) Rabbit and hare may be hunted by a resident by means of a snare made of a single strand wire of a gauge commonly referred to as No. 20 or greater and with a snare loop diameter not greater than 5 inches.

Does not mention anything about where it is limited.

People really have to stop looking at the synopsis and following it blindly without looking at the actual law.

Seems pretty clear to me. Go ahead and hunt by way of snare, just follow the limitations.

[CNP]

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

I've been following This Thread did we ever get an answer on this question

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Post # 3 but some people can't handle the truth.