Cable Restraints

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Differences between Cable Restraints and Snares


When used generically, the term “snare” refers to a type of capture device that uses a loop of wire, stranded wire, wire rope, or other material designed to set and close around the neck, torso, foot, or leg of an animal. A cable restraint is differentiated from a snare by the construction, features, use, and legality in several important ways.

 However, in South Carolina, cable restraints with relaxing locks are only legal sets for beavers and river otters in water sets only.


Relaxing Lock: A relaxing lock will close down on the animal when they swim through the snare and are pulling on the cable, but it will release the pressure off the cable once the animal stops pulling. Relaxing locks tend to be less aggressive, but some newer locks, like the Micro Lock, are just as aggressive as the non-relaxing locks. A relaxing lock should be used if you are trying to live catch an animal, and they greatly reduce fun damage commonly caused by non-relaxing locks. (i.e. all of the washer locks, Micro Locks, Relax-a-locks)





Cable Restraints & related Equipment

Trap Tags - Identification

Trap Tags: Cable restraints must have a metal tag stamped with the owner’s name and address.