Modified Snaring

By the very nature of the activity itself, the practice of snaring hares results in the occasional accidental capture of wildlife other than hares. Apart from grouse and ptarmigan, such non-target species are usually unwanted. In recent years, there has been a heightened awareness of the effects of accidental capture on one particular species, the Newfoundland Marten. One ongoing study in the Red Indian Lake area of the Island suggests that marten mortality from rabbit snares may well be an important limiting factor to marten dispersal. 

In 1996 the Newfoundland Martens status was upgraded to endangered: that means it is in danger of being eliminated throughout all or much of its range. At this time it was estimated that approximately 300 Newfoundland Marten remained on the Island, mostly in the Little Grand Lake area. 

In 1992 the Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife division contracted the Alberta Research Council to investigate alternative snaring system which maintained their effectiveness on hares but minimized the potential for accidental capture and retention of marten. Several methods were investigated, including a reversible threaded washer system and three coil snare. The most promising alternative came from attaching a conventional rabbit snare to a 5 coil wire system. Out of 9 trials conducted for both hares and martens, 9 of 9 hares were caught and retained and all marten caught in the snare were able to escape. Furthermore, marten shed the snares in all nine  of the incidents within one day. 

The effectiveness of this modified snare is attributable to the differences in behaviour between marten and rabbits when caught in a snare. When a pine martens is caught in a snare, it tends to drop and roll repeatedly. This very specific movement pattern allows the snare to rotate off the coiled wire and the marten to escape. However, when a rabbit is caught in a snare it tends to push back and forth on the snare. This movement pattern does not allow the snare to rotate off the coil and the hare is retained as in a conventional snare. 

While this five coil wire system is effective, it is felt that improvements in the design can further enhance both its effectiveness and the ease with which it can be set. Initiatives are currently under way to explore new and innovative system which will assist in the management of the endangered Newfoundland Marten. The Salmonier Nature Park will play an instrumental role in this upcoming research through the involvement of staff and facilities. Trials are currently being scheduled to test and further refine alternatives to the existing modified snare.