Trapping Licenses

Trapper Education Course

Required for persons who have never possessed a trapping license. The trapping course is at least 8 hours in length, and is free.

For information on trapper education courses in your area, contact the DEC regional office nearest you.

To qualify for a resident license a person must live in New York State for more than thirty days immediately prior to date of application. Land ownership in New York is not proof of residence. Residency is that place where a person maintains a fixed, permanent and principal home (regardless wherever temporarily located), such as where a person is registered to vote in elections for public office other than school board. If under 18, the residence of parents or legal guardian shall be deemed such person's residence.

Active members of the US Armed Forces stationed in NY and full-time college students in residence in the state during the school year (proof required) qualify for annual resident licenses.

Minimum Trapping Age

There is no minimum trapping age for residents, but all new trappers must be able to pass the trapper education course before they can receive a trapping license. Nonresidents must be 16 years old to purchase a trapping license.

License Privileges and Fees

Resident Trapping

Age:
- 16 - 69 Years
Qualifications:
- New York Resident AND
  1. Trapper Ed. Certificate, OR
  2. Previous trapping License
Privileges:
- Set traps for furbearing species during their appropriate trapping seasons.
Cost:
- $21.0 ($16 for 2008-09 licenses)

Resident Trapper Super Sportsman

Age:
- 16 - 69 Years
Qualifications:
- New York Resident AND
  1. Trapper Ed. and Hunter Ed. Certificate, OR
  2. Previous Trapping and Hunting License
Privileges:
- All the privileges that apply to small game, big game, muzzleloading and trapping licenses and turkey permits.
Cost:
- $88.00

Discount Resident Trapping

Age:
- 70+ Years or Military Disabled
Qualifications:
- New York Resident AND
  1. Trapper Ed. Certificate, OR
  2. Previous trapping License
  PLUS
  Senior/Military Disabled License
Privileges:
- Set traps for furbearing species during their appropriate trapping seasons.
Cost:
- 70+ Years: $5 (Free for 2008-09 licenses)
- 40% Military Disabled: Free

Resident Junior Trapping

Age:
- Under 16 Years
Qualifications:
- New York Resident AND
  1. Trapper Ed. Certificate, OR
  2. Previous trapping License
Privileges:
- Set traps for furbearing species during their appropriate trapping seasons.
Cost:
- $6.00

Non-Resident Trapping

Age:
- 16 Years or older
Qualifications:
- 1. Trapper Ed. Certificate, OR
  2. Previous trapping License
Privileges:
- Set traps for furbearing species during their appropriate trapping seasons.
Cost:
- $310.00 ($255 for 2008-09 licenses)

License Year

Licenses and permits are good from October 1 through September 30.

License Responsibilities

A license is not transferrable and can be used only by the person to whom issued.
A license to trap does not give the holder any right to go on private property without permission of the landowner.
It is illegal to refuse to show your license on demand to a law enforcement officer or the owner, lessee or person in control of the lands (or their designees) while on their property.

Trapping License Exceptions

All residents who trap must carry a valid trapping license, except:

Resident owners primarily engaged in farming, lessees and members of their immediate families do not need a trapping license when trapping on farm lands they are occupying and cultivating.
Resident Native Americans do not need a trapping license while trapping on reservation lands.

A trapping license is required to trap beaver, otter, fisher and marten. There are no exceptions.

Free Licenses

Free trapping licenses are available to:

Members of the Shinnecock and Poospatuck tribes and members of the Six Nations residing on reservations in the state. They must be obtained from tribal councils or licensing issuing agents annually.
Persons 40% or more military disabled who have a previous trapping license and have purchased a Military Disabled License.
Free Trapping licenses are also available to NYS residents who have the appropriate Sportsman Education and are active service members of the military. For more information see our Patriot Plan page

Lost Licenses

Lost licenses may be replaced at any licensing issuing agent.