How often should a landowner check traps?

The correct answer is based on the regulations and best practices for checking traps used in nuisance wildlife control. Checking traps every 36 hours is optimal as it balances the welfare of the trapped animals with the practical considerations for the trapper. This timeframe helps ensure that animals are not left in traps for extended periods, minimizing stress, injury, or death, while also allowing the trapper to responsibly manage their time and resources.

Regular check intervals like 36 hours are important for humane handling and compliance with legal standards. Most regulations are established to promote humane treatment of wildlife and to ensure that the trapping process is ethical. A longer interval, such as 48 hours, could lead to increased suffering of the trapped animal, while shorter intervals like 12 or 24 hours may be impractical for many landowners or wildlife control operators. Thus, the adoption of a 36-hour check interval represents a considered approach to both ethical treatment and practical wildlife management.