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Have you spotted traps/snares on public lands or private property? Has your pet been caught in a trap? Do you have a story to tell? We want to hear about it!
FILL OUT THE FORM AT LEFT OR CALL (406) 282-1482 or E-MAIL info@footloosemontana.org Although we may present excerpts from your report, we will protect your privacy. The purpose of making trap locations available on this website is to warn people who may be recreating on public lands with companion dogs about the dangers of traps on public lands. Disturbing traps and/or releasing trapped wildlife is illegal in the state of Montana. Trappers tend to set traps and snares in the same areas, repeatedly. Please review past trap locations on our Trap Map. Beware, where there is one trap or snare it is likely that there are more traps nearby. Use special caution in areas near water bodies - there is no required minimum distance from a trail or recreation site to traps that have been set in water. Do not assume any trail or area is trap free! Trap map
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SOME PAST REPORTS
January 2016
Akita trapped in wolf trap in Ninemile area, west of Missoula, loses a foreleg to dry gangrene after being trapped for days in a frozen trap set for wolves near its home.
January 2016
Dog trapped near Kalispell.
January 2016
Another dog caught in foothold trap near Lolo Creek, south of Missoula.
December 2015/January 2016
Two cats trapped separately near Great Falls, both cats lost legs.
December 2015
Golden retriever severely injured after chewing itself free from a foothold trap near Florence on Sweeney Creek.
December 2015
Dog caught in foothold trap in Lolo Creek drainage, south of Missoula.
December 2015
Dog trapped near Alberton.
December 2015
Dog trapped near Ninepipes Reservoir.
March 2015
Blackie the cat trapped in Missoula, lost leg.
March 2015
Dog brought in by trapper, caught near Trout Creek west of Missoula.
January 2015
Dog caught in foothold trap near Helena (dog had been trapped before in same area).
January 15th, 2015
Dog caught in snare near Idaho Border.
January 2015
Dog trapped along Bitterroot River.
January 2015
Dog caught in Park County.
December 2014
Dog caught in legal trap in canyon in Gallatin County.
October 2013
Dog caught in trap above Lake Como.
October 25, 2013
A great horned owl was found in a foothold trap in the Bitterroot Valley, south of Missoula. It was taken for help along with the trap attached.
April 2, 2013
“Animal Capture Devices” signs have been spotted at the base of Dump Gulch trailhead on Mount Helena warning of trapping in the area. Mount Helena City Park is a 620-acre swath of wild country. The park is a popular destination for local hikers with its six trails and links to those in the Helena National Forest.
March 2013
A dog was transported to the Central Valley Animal Hospital after its foot was broken when it stepped into a leg trap set up legally for predator control by a Florence Acres Way resident in Columbia Falls.
March 17, 2013
An email was received today from an anonymous responder in the Helena Area reporting traps in Trout Creek Canyon. A dog was caught.
March 8, 2013
A couple with their two dogs were kayaking on the Whitefish River near Kalispell, MT on a stretch of river they have been floating for four years when they came across three different sets of traps in the water. One of which had a dead beaver in it. Traps were located about a quarter of a mile upstream of the bridge on Reserve Street on the east side of the river.
February 28, 2013
Central Valley Animal Hospital was reported to have helped an immature golden eagle that wasbrought in by FWP after being caught in a trap and grounded in Plains, MT. The eagle will lose at least one toe but should otherwise be okay.
February 2013
Report of traps in the Helena area: Father and son were hiking south of Helena and noticed “courtesy” warning signs and foothold and snare traps on the Skihi Peak/ Brooklyn Bridge Main trail. Signs are posted at the trailhead. This area gets some cross country ski and snowshoeing use with many dogs.
Feb 4, 2013
Cat caught in foothold trap on or near Rocky Mountain Log Homes in Hamilton loses front leg as a result. Trap may have been placed illegally, was not staked down, and had no identifying marks on it.
Akita trapped in wolf trap in Ninemile area, west of Missoula, loses a foreleg to dry gangrene after being trapped for days in a frozen trap set for wolves near its home.
January 2016
Dog trapped near Kalispell.
January 2016
Another dog caught in foothold trap near Lolo Creek, south of Missoula.
December 2015/January 2016
Two cats trapped separately near Great Falls, both cats lost legs.
December 2015
Golden retriever severely injured after chewing itself free from a foothold trap near Florence on Sweeney Creek.
December 2015
Dog caught in foothold trap in Lolo Creek drainage, south of Missoula.
December 2015
Dog trapped near Alberton.
December 2015
Dog trapped near Ninepipes Reservoir.
March 2015
Blackie the cat trapped in Missoula, lost leg.
March 2015
Dog brought in by trapper, caught near Trout Creek west of Missoula.
January 2015
Dog caught in foothold trap near Helena (dog had been trapped before in same area).
January 15th, 2015
Dog caught in snare near Idaho Border.
January 2015
Dog trapped along Bitterroot River.
January 2015
Dog caught in Park County.
December 2014
Dog caught in legal trap in canyon in Gallatin County.
October 2013
Dog caught in trap above Lake Como.
October 25, 2013
A great horned owl was found in a foothold trap in the Bitterroot Valley, south of Missoula. It was taken for help along with the trap attached.
April 2, 2013
“Animal Capture Devices” signs have been spotted at the base of Dump Gulch trailhead on Mount Helena warning of trapping in the area. Mount Helena City Park is a 620-acre swath of wild country. The park is a popular destination for local hikers with its six trails and links to those in the Helena National Forest.
March 2013
A dog was transported to the Central Valley Animal Hospital after its foot was broken when it stepped into a leg trap set up legally for predator control by a Florence Acres Way resident in Columbia Falls.
March 17, 2013
An email was received today from an anonymous responder in the Helena Area reporting traps in Trout Creek Canyon. A dog was caught.
March 8, 2013
A couple with their two dogs were kayaking on the Whitefish River near Kalispell, MT on a stretch of river they have been floating for four years when they came across three different sets of traps in the water. One of which had a dead beaver in it. Traps were located about a quarter of a mile upstream of the bridge on Reserve Street on the east side of the river.
February 28, 2013
Central Valley Animal Hospital was reported to have helped an immature golden eagle that wasbrought in by FWP after being caught in a trap and grounded in Plains, MT. The eagle will lose at least one toe but should otherwise be okay.
February 2013
Report of traps in the Helena area: Father and son were hiking south of Helena and noticed “courtesy” warning signs and foothold and snare traps on the Skihi Peak/ Brooklyn Bridge Main trail. Signs are posted at the trailhead. This area gets some cross country ski and snowshoeing use with many dogs.
Feb 4, 2013
Cat caught in foothold trap on or near Rocky Mountain Log Homes in Hamilton loses front leg as a result. Trap may have been placed illegally, was not staked down, and had no identifying marks on it.
Jan 29, 2013
Man in Rivulet, MT area stepped into foothold trap set for wolves. There was a sign posted warning people of wolf trapping. There were foothold and snare traps present (the snares are illegal, assuming they are targeting wolves). This was reported to FWP. The location is: Chicken Creek drainage near Williams Peak.
Jan 29, 2013
Golden eagle trapped in Condon, MT. The eagle was able to fly, however, it had a rather large wound cut to the bone. Will supply more information as it is obtained. Update: Eagle trapped in foothold trap for wolves, in Condon Creek foothills area. Was rescued by humans, but escaped before being transported to rehab facility.
Jan 26, 2013
Corgi was snagged in a baited trap on the western border of the Castle Butte BLM plot, northeast of Billings. A land owner has these baited traps right on his fence line.
Jan 24, 2013
Golden eagle found caught in snare, dead on arrival, a second and third golden eagle found the next day, one had to be euthanized on sight, the other is being treated by a vet in hopes it will recover. Two of the eagles were found trapped around Big Timber, the third eagle was found near Ringling.
Jan 24, 2013
Courtesy warning signs have been posted about snares and other traps set along the most popular hiking trail in Helena. It’s called the Helena Ridge Trail. It is on the south side of town. Look for Grizzly gulch and Prospector Gulch.
Jan 23, 2013
Report of a dog trapped in a foothold trap near the Main Fork Rock Creek Road, near Red Lodge.
Jan 14, 2013
Dog was caught in a neck snare in the Tobacco Root Mountains (East Fork of South Boulder, FS Road #7154 about 1.5 miles down the road).
Jan 3, 2013
Trapping reported up Sawdust Gulch headed north from Sleeping Child Creek. This is due SW of Hamilton (south of Skalkaho Hwy). Bitterroot National Forest.
Dec. 28, 2012
Woman suffers mild heart attack while helping release friend’s dog from wolf trap south of Livingston, Montana. Trap was on private property ~12 mi. south of Livingston.
Dec 28 2012.
Dog caught in bobcat trap up Schwartz Creek near Clinton, MT.
December 2012.
Dog caught in foothold trap while family was on a Christmas tree hunt in the Pipestone Area near Whitehall, MT.
Dec. 27, 2012
Report of numerous traps along USFS road/trail #1260 which leads to Hogan Cabin on the Beaverhead Deer Lodge National Forest in the vicinity of Chief Joseph Pass. Some of these traps are evidently very close to the trail and may be illegal. Please use extreme caution.
Man in Rivulet, MT area stepped into foothold trap set for wolves. There was a sign posted warning people of wolf trapping. There were foothold and snare traps present (the snares are illegal, assuming they are targeting wolves). This was reported to FWP. The location is: Chicken Creek drainage near Williams Peak.
Jan 29, 2013
Golden eagle trapped in Condon, MT. The eagle was able to fly, however, it had a rather large wound cut to the bone. Will supply more information as it is obtained. Update: Eagle trapped in foothold trap for wolves, in Condon Creek foothills area. Was rescued by humans, but escaped before being transported to rehab facility.
Jan 26, 2013
Corgi was snagged in a baited trap on the western border of the Castle Butte BLM plot, northeast of Billings. A land owner has these baited traps right on his fence line.
Jan 24, 2013
Golden eagle found caught in snare, dead on arrival, a second and third golden eagle found the next day, one had to be euthanized on sight, the other is being treated by a vet in hopes it will recover. Two of the eagles were found trapped around Big Timber, the third eagle was found near Ringling.
Jan 24, 2013
Courtesy warning signs have been posted about snares and other traps set along the most popular hiking trail in Helena. It’s called the Helena Ridge Trail. It is on the south side of town. Look for Grizzly gulch and Prospector Gulch.
Jan 23, 2013
Report of a dog trapped in a foothold trap near the Main Fork Rock Creek Road, near Red Lodge.
Jan 14, 2013
Dog was caught in a neck snare in the Tobacco Root Mountains (East Fork of South Boulder, FS Road #7154 about 1.5 miles down the road).
Jan 3, 2013
Trapping reported up Sawdust Gulch headed north from Sleeping Child Creek. This is due SW of Hamilton (south of Skalkaho Hwy). Bitterroot National Forest.
Dec. 28, 2012
Woman suffers mild heart attack while helping release friend’s dog from wolf trap south of Livingston, Montana. Trap was on private property ~12 mi. south of Livingston.
Dec 28 2012.
Dog caught in bobcat trap up Schwartz Creek near Clinton, MT.
December 2012.
Dog caught in foothold trap while family was on a Christmas tree hunt in the Pipestone Area near Whitehall, MT.
Dec. 27, 2012
Report of numerous traps along USFS road/trail #1260 which leads to Hogan Cabin on the Beaverhead Deer Lodge National Forest in the vicinity of Chief Joseph Pass. Some of these traps are evidently very close to the trail and may be illegal. Please use extreme caution.
Dec. 25, 2012
Dog caught in 8″ foothold trap up Williams Creek Road near Eureka, Montana (Kootenai N.F. land). Family was on a cross country ski trip. Dog suffered minor injuries. Watch for traps very close to the road.
Dec. 20, 2012
Report of pine marten traps near the Blodgett Canyon trailhead in the Bitterroot Mountains west of Hamilton. Traps reported as close as 150 yards from trailhead.
Dec. 2012
Widespread trapping reported in the Lake Como area west of Darby, Montana in the Bitterroot Mountains. Trappers have been encountered working their way up toward the lake on the main access road and on road #550.
Dec 2012
Dog caught in foothold trap in Hyalite Canyon South of Bozeman, Montana (between Lick Creek and Moser Creek). Expect continued trapping in the area including traps set directly on unmarked trails.
Dec 14, 2012
Report from Montana FWP logs: Dog caught in foothold trap in Blue Creek Area, Sanders County, on USFS land.
Dec 11, 2012
Montana FWP logs report dog caught in foothold trap on Southside Road in Missoula, on private land.
Dec 9, 2012
Montana FWP logs report a dog caught and injured in West Glacier area, Flathead County, USFS.
Dec. 2012
(first week of December) Dog caught in a foothold trap while owner was skiing near the intersection of Big Flat Road and Deep Creek Road west of Missoula.
Dec. 2012
Reports of trapping in the mountains SSW of Alberton MT (Petty Creek area).
Dec 1, 2012
Montana FWP logs report dog caught in foothold trap. Cameron Bridge FAS, in Gallatin County.
Dec 1, 2012
Montana FWP logs report dog caught in foothold trap in Dawson County, on private property at the Engle Ranch.
Dec 1, 2012
Montana FWP logs report dog caught in conibear trap, Gallatin County, on Vandervos, private property.
Nov 29, 2012
Montana FWP logs report dog caught in foothold trap on Moser Creek, USFS, in Gallatin County.
Dog caught in 8″ foothold trap up Williams Creek Road near Eureka, Montana (Kootenai N.F. land). Family was on a cross country ski trip. Dog suffered minor injuries. Watch for traps very close to the road.
Dec. 20, 2012
Report of pine marten traps near the Blodgett Canyon trailhead in the Bitterroot Mountains west of Hamilton. Traps reported as close as 150 yards from trailhead.
Dec. 2012
Widespread trapping reported in the Lake Como area west of Darby, Montana in the Bitterroot Mountains. Trappers have been encountered working their way up toward the lake on the main access road and on road #550.
Dec 2012
Dog caught in foothold trap in Hyalite Canyon South of Bozeman, Montana (between Lick Creek and Moser Creek). Expect continued trapping in the area including traps set directly on unmarked trails.
Dec 14, 2012
Report from Montana FWP logs: Dog caught in foothold trap in Blue Creek Area, Sanders County, on USFS land.
Dec 11, 2012
Montana FWP logs report dog caught in foothold trap on Southside Road in Missoula, on private land.
Dec 9, 2012
Montana FWP logs report a dog caught and injured in West Glacier area, Flathead County, USFS.
Dec. 2012
(first week of December) Dog caught in a foothold trap while owner was skiing near the intersection of Big Flat Road and Deep Creek Road west of Missoula.
Dec. 2012
Reports of trapping in the mountains SSW of Alberton MT (Petty Creek area).
Dec 1, 2012
Montana FWP logs report dog caught in foothold trap. Cameron Bridge FAS, in Gallatin County.
Dec 1, 2012
Montana FWP logs report dog caught in foothold trap in Dawson County, on private property at the Engle Ranch.
Dec 1, 2012
Montana FWP logs report dog caught in conibear trap, Gallatin County, on Vandervos, private property.
Nov 29, 2012
Montana FWP logs report dog caught in foothold trap on Moser Creek, USFS, in Gallatin County.
Nov 21, 2012
Widespread leghold traps set illegally on (various) private lands on the east side of the Bitterroot River between Florence and Stevensville (up and down the river corridor). We received a call from a private ranch owner who lives in that area. He found a man setting traps illegally.
Nov 21, 2012
Report of snares set along the Clark Fork River near the Canyon River Golf Course (East Missoula, MT). There is a warning sign posted next to the poop bag dispenser where the trail leads from the far end of the golf course parking lot down to the river. This is a popular area for dog walking. Be wary!
Nov 20, 2012
“Monte,” a yellow lab cross caught in a foothold trap at the Florence Fishing Access (Bitterroot River, Florence, MT). Dog suffered injuries to its paw and a broken tooth. No broken bones. Trapper cited for illegal trapping.
Oct 30, 2012
Montana FWP logs record a dog caught in a foothold trap, in Phillips County, South of Saco, on private land.
Oct 21, 2012
Montana FWP logs record a dog caught in a foothold trap, in Cottonwood Creek Area, BLM, in Phillips County.
Oct 17, 2012
Montana FWP logs record a dog caught in a foothold trap on Trap Road, on private land, in Lincoln County.
Oct 15, 2012
Montana FWP logs record a dog caught in a foothold trap in USFS land in the Lost Horse area in Ravalli County.
Sept 8, 2012
Montana FWP logs record a dog caught and injured in a foothold trap at Taylor Creek in Beaverhead County.
Widespread leghold traps set illegally on (various) private lands on the east side of the Bitterroot River between Florence and Stevensville (up and down the river corridor). We received a call from a private ranch owner who lives in that area. He found a man setting traps illegally.
Nov 21, 2012
Report of snares set along the Clark Fork River near the Canyon River Golf Course (East Missoula, MT). There is a warning sign posted next to the poop bag dispenser where the trail leads from the far end of the golf course parking lot down to the river. This is a popular area for dog walking. Be wary!
Nov 20, 2012
“Monte,” a yellow lab cross caught in a foothold trap at the Florence Fishing Access (Bitterroot River, Florence, MT). Dog suffered injuries to its paw and a broken tooth. No broken bones. Trapper cited for illegal trapping.
Oct 30, 2012
Montana FWP logs record a dog caught in a foothold trap, in Phillips County, South of Saco, on private land.
Oct 21, 2012
Montana FWP logs record a dog caught in a foothold trap, in Cottonwood Creek Area, BLM, in Phillips County.
Oct 17, 2012
Montana FWP logs record a dog caught in a foothold trap on Trap Road, on private land, in Lincoln County.
Oct 15, 2012
Montana FWP logs record a dog caught in a foothold trap in USFS land in the Lost Horse area in Ravalli County.
Sept 8, 2012
Montana FWP logs record a dog caught and injured in a foothold trap at Taylor Creek in Beaverhead County.
Please note that the purpose of disclosing trap locations on our website is to warn others who may be about to venture in the woods with companion animals. Disturbing traps or snares or interfering with trapping activities is against Montana law
