Protecting the Canada lynx

Idaho officials have fewer than 90 days to change trapping regulations in efforts to protect the Canada lynx following a court order filed by a federal judge.

The order, made public earlier this week in the U.S. District Court, requires the state of Idaho to propose a plan to implement trapping restrictions in the Panhandle and Clearwater regions in North Idaho where the rare lynx still roam. The Panhandle Region comprises the northernmost region of Idaho while the Clearwater Region is just to the south, making up the north portion of the state.

Changes to trapping laws may include restrictions on the size of foothold traps that can be used, banning kill traps such as Conibear body-gripping traps and neck snare, and requiring trappers to check traps every 24 hours rather than every 72 hours.

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