Reporting the Accidental Catch of Lynx in Traps

Although Maine's trapping regulations have been modified to reduce the chance that a lynx will be caught in a trap, accidental catches still occur.

Trapper's that are setting traps during Maine's regulated trapping season for upland furbearers are required to report accidental catches of lynx to IFW.

Call 207-592-4734 Phone monitored: 24 hrs a day and 7 days a week during the trapping season.

Captured lynx must be reported to a game warden or biologist of the Department as soon as possible and prior to removing the animal from the trap, unless a Department official cannot be reached in time to prevent injury to the lynx.  Any lynx released under this provision must be reported to the Department within 24 hours from the time it was discovered.

• IFW staff are available to help you release the animal
• IFW staff can help you assess the animal for injury
• You can also contact your local MDIFW office or State Police Barracks to report a lynx capture

IFW Response to Lynx In Traps

When a lynx is caught, IFW Wildlife Biologists and Game Wardens work closely to:

1. Enforce Maine trapping regulations
2. Investigate all accidental catches of lynx in traps
3. Assist trappers with the release of lynx from traps
4. Assess lynx for injuries based on written criteria developed with a veterinarian
5. Determine when a lynx needs veterinarian care and seek treatment
6. Document take of lynx and provide report to US Fish and Wildlife Service

When a lynx is caught, IFW Wildlife Biologists and Game Wardens document how the animal was captured, assess the lynx for any injuries that it may have incurred, assist with releasing the lynx, and check compliance with state trapping regulations.

FOOTHOLD TRAPS set on land

STATEWIDE 

• Must have 3 swivel points on trap chains: 1 at the base of the trap, 1 at the anchor, and 1 midway in the chain
• Chain must be mounted to the center of the trap

LYNX ZONES: WMD 1-11, 14, 18 and 19

• Use of drags are prohibited
• Traps must be securely anchored
• Catch circle must be clear of woody vegetation or debris except small sticks and rocks or rotten wood used as backing, guides, or blocking.
• Catch circle is defined as the area marked by the outer edge of the trap when the trap and the chain are fully extended in a circle around the anchor point

Foothold traps set on land in WMDs 1-6 and 8-11 can NOT have an inside jaw spread greater than 5 3/8

KILLER-TYPE TRAPS set on land  (except blinds and sets under overhanding banks (see Trapping and Hunting Laws for details).

STATEWIDE: Must have a lynx exclusion device

• Can be made of wire, wood, and/or plastic.
• Must be constructed to withstand pulling & prying 
• If wire mesh is used it must be 16 gauge or larger and 1.5x1.5 and 1x2 inch size wire is allowed
• The trap must be a minimum of 18 inches from the nearest edge of the entrance hole
• If the entrance hole is greater than 4 x 4 inches, the device must include a baffle.

Reporting Requirements:

Trappers are required to report the capture of lynx to a Game Warden or Department biologist as soon as possible and prior to removing the animal from the trap, unless a Department official cannot be reached in time to prevent injury to the lynx.  Any lynx released under this provision must be reported to the Department within 24 hours from the time it was discovered. Report Lynx Captures to (207) 592-4734 (24 hours a day and 7 days a week).In remote areas, phones are available at NMW checkpoints, custom gates, sporting camps, and logging operations.

Bait Regulations:

• During the early canid and muskrat trapping season, it is illegal to set a trap using exposed bait or visual attractor.
• During the regular trapping season, traps cannot be set with 50 yards of bait that is visible from above.