Read the instructions, then watch the video. Take a leash on every hunting trip.
1. Twist the trap so that the jaws are not placing pressure on the animal’s windpipe.
2. Squeeze together one of the springs using both hands until you can fasten the safety lock over the arm of the spring. (Or, use the leash or rope).
3. Repeat for the other side.
4. Slide your dog’s head out from between the jaws of the trap.
This trap will kill your dog and the trapper will in all likelihood get a pass. That is beyond wrong and unjust. These traps and their use should be illegal period.
[...] traps in Ontario. Even if you have no intention of removing traps, it’s not a bad idea to know how to open a Conibear, especially if you hike with dogs, or kids. The ban in Guelph was prompted by the death [...]
The best solution is to ban traps for good.
A functional conibear trap requires a setting tool to compress the springs. If you can do it with hand strength alone the springs are shot and the trap shoud not be used. That said you have very little chance of using this technique to free your pet!
If you watch the video, you will see it is not “hand strength alone” that opens the trap. And I’ll bet that “hand strength alone” would double if MY dog was trapped in one! Or you could sit there and watch him choke to death. Your choice.
Here in Portland, OR, today a little cairn terrier was found barking and caught in one of these, and two neighbors got him out safely. Thank you for posting this.
[...] Opening a Conibear is far more complicated, involving two pieces of rope, speedy reaction and a good memory for how these simple-looking wire rectangles work, but unfortunately if your pet is caught in this type of trap its chance of survival is minimal (Adirondack Life). [...]
Yes it is a good idea to have this video … does the twisting of the trap really release the windpipe? That would be the main focus then you can work on getting the trap off.
From what I’ve seen, yes.
[...] Opening a Conibear is far more complicated, involving two pieces of rope, speedy reaction and a good memory for how these simple-looking wire rectangles work, but unfortunately if your pet is caught in this type of trap its chance of survival is minimal (Adirondack Life). [...]
[...] hike? There are diagrams and a video that tell how to release a leaf-spring or leg-hold trap. Opening a Conibear is far more complicated, involving two pieces of rope, speedy reaction and a good memory for how [...]
Scott,
This is a perfect example of “a picture being worth a thousand words”. I’ll do my best to describe, but a video is really necessary. As I mentioned there is a long thin rod chained to a leg-hold trap that anchors it in the ground. When the trap is closed on the leg of an animal, it closes with a “scissors” action. The gap between the 2 trap sides is greatest at the top, and narrows to a “V” shape at the base.
What I did to release my dog was to place the rod parallel to his leg and insert it into the mouth of the trap. Then I worked it far down into the base of the “V” and turned it perpendicular. Once in place, with one hand steadying the trap and the other putting pressure on the rod, I was able to loosen the jaws enough for Max to free his paw.
This knowledge is paramount for those who hunt public lands, where hunters and trappers share land use. I wanted to be mad and blame someone for hurting my dog, but when I calmed down I realized that trapping is just another outdoor sport and it was up to me to be prepared for emergencies concerning my dog.
Scott,
Thanks for posting, my dog also has been caught in a leghold trap. Perhaps a video on how to release from this type of trap would be helpful to birdhunters as well. My cold hands couldnt budge the trap, a frantic search for a stick to work with wasnt doing the trick either. Seconds seemed like hours as my 6 month old pup (Max) was screaming in pain. Only my childhood familiarity with this type of trap saved him. I remembered that there has a long rod that anchored the trap in the ground. I pulled the chain and popped the rod from the ground. Using that metal rod was the only thing thin & strong enough to release Max’s paw. After all the blood cleared, I had feared the worst. To my relief, the blood on my hands was all mine. Max’s puppy teeth had done a number on them as he tried to free himself. No broken bones, and only 3 days of limping….we were very lucky. Jeff Kleman
Wow. Glad all ended well but can only imagine the fear and frustration. I’ll see what I can find and post it if I find anything. Thanks for the story and warning to us all. Just tell us what you do with the rod so we’ll at least have a fighting chance.
Good info. If your leash clasp won’t fit through the trap, just cut it off.
Thanks for the video, Scott! I have sent a web link for this video to my NAVHDA chapter members as many have never seen a conibear trap and they would not know how to release their dog from it.
Glad to help.
AGREED! THANKS Now the DWR gets to work there magic on him. That’s almost as good as the trap on neck! LOL
Scott ,This is very ironic less than a month ago while my wife and I were out walking our three labs the dogs got drawn to a tree all of a sudden my best bird dog Buddy [black lab ] gets nailed in a foot trap.I don’t even remember running to him just being there trying to get him to hold still long enough to get this trap off his foot . That’s not easy trust me here! Lucky for me I had worked with grand dads traps in the long ago past to do this fast without to much harm to Buddy’s foot . Lucky for the poacher /trapper because myself and the DWR were waiting for him to return the next morning .Good thing the DWR was there I was going to apply the trap to the poacher [hurt my dog will ya].Buddy’s fine, no broken bones but yes it does happen and it sucks . THANKS FOR SHARING THIS IS A GREAT TIP FOR ALL DOG OWNERS. MIKE C
Glad everything worked out near-perfect. Perfect would have been your application of trap to neck of poacher.
Thanks for the video and the information… I hope we NEVER have to use this knowledge