Snare poles go by a variety of different names but they all basically the same devices. Some of the other names you might see them called are:
• catch pole's
• Florida animal graspers
• control pole
• Y poles
• catch and release poles
• come along poles
• rabies poles



Now you have a better idea what you're looking for when you go shopping because they are all basically the same device. They have a poll usually about a yard and a half long, but it can be longer, the longest ones you can buy are generally in the 8 to 9 foot range, some of them even have rubber grips so you can get a better grip but most of them do not. They are basically a hollowed out piece of either hard plastic or aluminium with a high tensile line running through them, the line comes out one end forming a loop and the other end as a gripping device to control the loop. Control poles are not designed and should not be used as weapons, sure if the Pensacola animal decides to charge you, then you can use it to fend them off but it is not and never was designed as a weapon.

To use a control poll approached the Florida animal slowly holding the pole beside your leg with the loop already extended so it will fit comfortably over the animal's head. A word of caution here, do not carry the control poll where it can look like a weapon to the animal as that will set the tone for the whole encounter, you want the animal to be as relaxed as possible. Once you are within range slowly move the loop over the animals head, as you tighten the loop moved to the side of the animal.

The reason you moved to the side is if the Pensacola animal jerks backward suddenly there is a good chance it will slip the loop if you are still directly in front of it. A control pole is designed to help you maneuver the animal to where you want it so if you want the animal to basically cooperate do not choke it, the moment you choke the animal it will most likely react violently, I'm pretty sure if someone chokes you, you will react violently too. From the side of the animal slowly guide it to where you want it to go and if there is no obstructions in front of it the animal will most likely go where you direct it.

With some wild Florida animals, especially raccoons, the best method of using the control poles loop is to try and capture one of the animals front legs as well as its head inside the loop, once you have it under control direct it like you would any other animal.

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