The Conibear Trap, once seen as a potential instant-kill trap, is now recognized as inhumane. Rather than being an instant-kill trap. It generally works as a body-holding trap that clamps onto various parts of the animal's body, for example, shoulder, neck, abdomen, etc. where it restrains him alive until the trapper returns.

And in Canada, there is no time limit on when the trapper is required to return to check his Conibear Trap. This is because the Fish and Wildlife Branches consider Conibears to be "quick-killing", (though they are generally not). The animals can be left suffering in these traps for as long as in other traps.

Even trappers refer to the Conibear as the "Body-Gripper". It can cause horrendous pain and suffering - a slow and agonizing death.