Nevada trapping

Question for you nevada guys. What are the laws for trapping on a road? I have read that it is illegal to trap within so many feet of a hwy and county roads but what about 2 tracks out in the sticks? Also what is the deal with branding traps Is it required ??

Trapping is prohibited within 200 feet of paved or "regularly Maintained" roads, unless the jawspread is the same or smaller than a #1 Newhouse. Trap identification numbers are not required.

So I am assuming a blm 2 track that hasn't been maintained in 30 years a guy should be safe setting for coyotes. And the brand thing just blows me away how does the law know whos traps are where?

You should not assume a BLM 2 Track is not "maintained" just because it hasn't been maintained in years. Its a real fuzzy line and it depends which warden you ask. Some wardens use the blade rule . . . if it looks like a blade has been down it, then its maintained. Others go to the County and get their records of regularly maintained road and use that. Just depends on which warden you run into.

We had mandatory trap identification numbers for years. Never assisted in a single thief being apprehended. It did, however, complicate matters when marked traps were bought and sold. The "law knows who's traps are where" when they find a trapper that is violating the law.

Ya I hate not being cut and dry. I would assume that if it is a 2 track and never been graded and I some parts need 4wd it would not be classified as maintained.

Thanks for the info. the nevada fish and wildlife website is like a maze for finding info.

You should also consult this section of the Nevada Administrative Code:

NAC 503.165  Trapping within one-half mile of certain residences. (NRS 501.105, 501.181)

1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person shall not trap, other than with a box or cage trap, within one-half mile of a residence, if the residence is located within a congested area of a county whose population is 100,000 or more.

2.  The provisions of this section do not apply to:

(a) An officer, employee or agent of any state agency, the Federal Government or a local government acting in his or her official capacity for the purpose of animal control or control of depredating wildlife;

(b) A person acting under written authority from a state agency, the Federal Government or a local government for the purpose of animal control or control of depredating wildlife;

(c) A person trapping on private property; or

(d) A person trapping in a waterway that is not within an incorporated city.

3.  As used in this section:

(a) “Box or cage trap” means a device that is designed to contain or confine an animal within a box or cage. The term does not include any device that is designed, built or made to close upon or hold fast any portion of an animal.

(b) “Congested area of a county” means:

(1) An area of a county in which the discharge of firearms is prohibited by a county ordinance; or

(2) The area within the boundaries of an incorporated city in a county.

(c) “Residence” means any house, room, apartment, tenement or other building designed or intended for occupancy as a residence.

(d) “Waterway” means any river, stream, canal or channel that contains water, including, without limitation, the banks and bed of any such river, stream, canal or channel.

(Added to NAC by Bd. of Wildlife Comm’rs by R062-12, eff. 11-1-2012)

Here is the statute for Roads:

NRS 503.580  Unlawful to set trap within 200 feet of public road or highway; exception.

1.  For the purposes of this section, “public road or highway” means:

(a) A highway designated as a United States highway.

(b) A highway designated as a state highway pursuant to the provisions of NRS 408.285.

(c) A main or general county road as defined by NRS 403.170.

2.  It is unlawful for any person, company or corporation to place or set any steel trap, used for the purpose of trapping mammals, larger than a No. 1 Newhouse trap, within 200 feet of any public road or highway within this State.

3.  This section does not prevent the placing or setting of any steel trap inside, along or near a fence which may be situated less than 200 feet from any public road or highway upon privately owned lands.

[1:155:1931] + [2:155:1931]—(NRS A 1960, 229; 1967, 599; 1969, 1365; 1979, 1175; 1991, 268)

Yes I read that. And we come back to what is a maintained road. I look up that nrs# and it is vague. As far as residents there is no need there are non BFE.Hahaha.

thanks for the info

I was just wondering if anyone in nevada was road/trail trapping coyotes and if they ran into any problems.

That Cameron guy must be a lawyer or something?

Sounds complicated but it isn't.  

Branding traps:  nope.  Not required.

Roads:  200 ft from a maintained road.  Meaning the county keeps it open in the winter.  Big majority of two tracks are not.  Big majority are not maintained.  

If in doubt, walk 200 feet.  Think about it:  70 paces is 210 ft.  Takes about 1 minute or 60 seconds to walk 200 ft.  

If on public land like most of us, you need to walk twice that far to hide the catch, especially for coyotes which jump around and go crazy.  

So really no big deal.  Walk the 70 paces, give it another ten for God, country, and the game warden, then make your set.

Perfect! Thanks for the info.