Printer-friendlyTrapping
New York State is one of the nation's top producers of wild furs for the commercial fur trade. New York City remains a center for the production and marketing of fur garments.
Trapping provides important benefits to New Yorkers including: the control of nuisance damage, economic benefits to trappers and people involved in the fur industry, and recreation to trappers.
The 14 species of furbearing animals in New York are abundant and their populations are secure. DEC regulates trapping seasons to ensure the continued security of New York's furbearer populations.
Trappers must complete a mandatory trapper education course to obtain a trapping license.
There are between 5,000-10,000 trappers in New York, depending on the year and fur market conditions.
More about Trapping:
- Trapping Regulations - A summary of the rules and regulations regarding trapping in New York State
- Furbearer Possession Tags - A Furbearer Possession tag may be printed out from this web site and used to possess one furbearer
- Measuring Traps - How to measure a foot trap and a body-gripping trap
- Tips to Avoid Non-target Catch of Otter - NYS DEC Trapping Tips. Tips to Avoid Non-target Catch of Otter
- Trigger Regulations for Beaver Trappers - The Department of Environmental Conservation has adopted a new trigger regulation for beaver traps in the Southern Zone. This regulation will allow DEC to manage otter and beaver separately in the Southern Zone so that the unique management needs of each species are met.
- Beaver Trapping Seasons - Maps showing the areas open for beaver trapping
- Bobcat Trapping Seasons - Maps showing the areas open for bobcat trapping
- Fisher and Pine Marten Trapping Seasons - Maps showing the areas open for fisher and marten trapping
- Mink & Muskrat Trapping Seasons - Maps showing the areas open for mink and muskrat trapping
- Otter Trapping Seasons - Maps showing the areas open for otter trapping.
- Raccoon, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Skunk, Coyote, Opossum, and Weasel Trapping Seasons - Maps showing the areas open for red fox, grey fox, coyote, opossum, weasel and raccoon trapping
