Belveal’s Better Bear Trap

In 2023, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Area 14 team, led by Wildlife Technician Jeff Belveal, brainstormed ideas for a new bear trap to replace a collection of old bear traps made mostly from scrap parts like steel storm culverts and hand-welded with spare frames and doors.

They came up with what we call the “CPW Belveal Bear Trap.” It is a unique design that allows wildlife officers to live trap bears, sedate them and then access them without having to crawl inside a cramped trap with the predator. The officer can then release them from a Belveal-designed spring-loaded door at a safe distance.

View the original design plan for the CPW Belveal Bear Trap.

Here are the main features of the “CPW Belveal Bear Trap”

• Swing style release door replaces common and outdated “guillotine” style doors.
• Large side access door which allows for easy access for medical work up and tagging. Officer no longer needs to crawl in the trap over the top of a sedated bear to work it up.
• Flip down access panels on three sides of the trap. These improve visibility and allow easy access for darting. 
• Large flip-open bait door makes it easy to bait the trap from the outside. 
• Spring-loaded door slams shut when a bear enters and activates the foot trigger, capturing the bear. It also allows officers to open the trap from the safety of the bed of their trucks. 
• Locking handle on the trap door protects against unauthorized release of the bear. 
• Interior light helps with nighttime trap setting and release. 
• Water supply- keeps bears hydrated during long transport.
• Water tank drain to prevent freezing.
• Segregation panel allows officers to safely transport a sow and cubs in separate compartments for their safety.. 
• Four wind up jacks allow easy leveling and stability.
• Perforated floor makes it easy to clean.

Written by Bill Vogrin. Bill is a public information officer for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife southeast region.