We are not 100 % sure, but we believe traps like this cannot be used on public lands. We have a call into game and fish but if anyone knows, information is appreciated.

This happened in this order: this poor Skunk is stuck in a leg trap, suffering, when a loose dog comes and terrifies and half kills it, he gets sprayed, then a guy in orange shirt and beige backpack approaches and calls the dog back. Our photographer in mean time, walks away to make calls to see what to do. Then a gun goes off and she walks back and asks the man if he just shot the skunk. Man sais yes it was suffering. She then walks away again to finish calling on what to do. While she’s a ways away, the man takes the skunk and the trap and leaves quickly. Conclusion: it was most likely his trap.

Game and Fish has been looking for an illegal trapper using illegal clawtraps and snares. We have put our cameras in vicinity to try and help, but haven’t caught anything yet. A few years ago we had to rescue stallion Neiman from a snare embedded around his pastern.

So question remains is this also an illegal trap? There were feathers and furr hung close to the trap. Is this legal in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona?

Please help us keep a lookout for traps in Foxtail wash, it’s been happening on either side of Bush Hwy. Thank u.