Non-lethal cable restraints may be used from Jan. 1 through Mar. 1 to take fox and coyotes, provided:
Cable restraints are not placed on publicly owned land or commercial forest lands.
All cable restraints in possession or carried afield must have a metallic identification tag attached which is affixed with the owner's or user's name and address or Michigan Driver License number.
Steel cable 1/16 - inch or larger is used.
The cable restraint loop does not exceed 15 inches in diameter.
The top of the loop is not placed more than 24 inches above the ground (In snow, 24 inches is measured from the compacted snow in a trapper's footprint established by the full body weight of the trapper.)
Cable restraints are equipped with a relaxing lock. A relaxing lock is defined as a lock that allows the loop to loosen slightly to reduce the possibility of strangulation. Cable restraints also must be equipped with a stop to prevent the loop from closing to a diameter less than 4¼ inches. Regulations on loop size and relaxing lock are designed to prevent the accidental loss of domestic animals and other nontarget species.
Cable restraints are equipped with a breakaway locking system with a breaking point not greater than 285 lbs. The breakaway device must be attached to the relaxing lock.
Cable restraints are affixed to a stake or object sufficient to hold a fox or coyote. It is illegal to use any type of drag.
Cable restraints are equipped with two swivels, including one swivel at the anchor point.
Spring poles, counter-balanced weights, springs or other similar devices are not used to close the cable restraint.
Cable restraints may be up to 60 inches in length, not including a cable anchor extension. The cable anchor extension may be up to 36 inches in length.
Cable restraints are not attached to a fence or set in a manner that would allow an animal to become entangled in a fence.
Cable restraints may be anchored to woody vegetation provided that the stem is free of branches and stubs to a height of 5 feet above the ground or compacted snow. Branches and stubs must be cut flush with the outer bark of the stem.
Cable restraints may not be set so that a restrained animal is suspended with two or more feet off the ground.
Note: Dogs and other domestic animals caught in cable restraints, body-gripping or conibear type traps should be reported to the DNR Report All Poaching hotline at (800) 292-7800. Information on safely removing dogs from traps may be found at How to Release Dogs from Traps .