Hunting & Trapping Digest 2024-2025Cable Restraints

CABLE_R CERTIFICATION NEEDED To view cable restraint training course schedules, visit www.pgc.pa.gov, or contact the Game Commission’s Hunter-Trapper Education Division at 717-787-7015.Trappers shall keep the certificate from the training course in possession while setting or checking sets using cable restraints, and present the certificate upon the request of a game warden.In addition to the certificate, those using cable restraints must possess a valid furtaker license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under Section 2706 of the act relating to resident license and fee exemptions, or qualify for trapping exceptions under Section 2363 of the act relating to trapping exceptions for certain persons.

CABLE RESTRAINT REGULATIONS

Cable restraints are permitted only for foxes and coyotes during late winter periods (Dec. 26-Feb. 23, 2025), when freezing conditions render traditional methods ineffective.

Cable restraints must be made of a galvanized stranded steel cable with a diameter of not less than 3/32 of an inch. The cable must be constructed of 7 bundles of 7 wires per bundle (7x7), 7 bundles of 19 wires per bundle (7x19), or 1 bundle comprised of 19 wires (1X19). The cable may not exceed 7 feet in length from the anchor point to the lock contacting the fully closed loop stop, must be equipped with at least one swivel device (which allows for 360-degree rotation) between the loop and the anchor, and must have stops affixed to the cable to ensure that the circumference of the cable that makes up the loop may not be greater than 38 inches when fully open, or less than 8 inches when fully closed. Cable restraint loops must be set so that the bottom of the loop is no less than 6 and no greater than 12 inches above the first surface beneath the cable restraint. Cable restraints must be equipped with an approved lock, and the lock may not be constructed with moving parts.

A cable restraint must include a breakaway device affixed between the lock and cable or at the end of the cable that is rated at 375 pounds or less.

A cable must be maintained so that all components operate properly.

Cable restraints must be anchored to prevent the animal from moving the restraint from place of capture.

Cable restraints may not be set where entanglement may occur or where the animal may become suspended.

Trappers eligible to use cable restraints for foxes and coyotes can keep non-target furbearers that are incidentally captured in a cable restraint if there is an open trapping season in which those furbearers are legal for harvest, and the trapper has a license or permit for that furbearer.

Bobcats may not be taken in cable restraints during the bobcat hunting season. Other wildlife mistakenly killed with cable restraints must be reported to the Centralized Dispatch Center to have a game warden respond, 1-833-PGC-HUNT.

Cable Restraint & Snare LocksApproved cable restraint and snare locks include: Reichart 180-Degree Reverse Bend Washer, Kaatz “Relax-a-Lock”, Berkshire 90-Degree Bend Washer, and Micro, BMI Slide Free and Penny locks.Approved Cable Restraint & Snare Locks Include:R-180kaatzBersk-90MicroLookBMIPennyLook
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