Furbearers and Trapping

Furbearer refers to mammals that traditionally have been hunted and trapped primarily for fur.

Furbearing animals include:

Furbearers that are legally harvested for human use are always common and abundant. Use the links below for more information on hunting and trapping furbearers.

Furbearer Hunting & Trapping

Here you’ll find license information, season dates, regulations and more.

New for 2024:
Hunting coyotes with the aid of dogs
Revised trapping regulations (§ 44. Furbearing species rule) | PDF

The Role of Regulated Trapping and the Management of Furbearers in Vermont

Learn about the benefits of trapping and its importance in furbearer research and management.

Monitoring Vermont Furbearers

A Q & A exploring the pros and cons of different options for effectively monitoring furbearers as part of the department’s mission to protect our state’s biodiversity.

VT Residents’ Attitudes Toward Furbearer Management

The department contracted with a leading natural resource survey firm to conduct a survey of Vermont residents’ knowledge and opinions of the department and our furbearer conservation efforts.

Act No. 159. An act relating to best management practices (BPMs) for trapping

Learn more about this act that requires the Fish & Wildlife Department to work with the Legislature and the Fish and Wildlife Board to establish best management practices that modernize trapping and improve the welfare of wildlife taken with the use of traps.

Trapper Annual Activity Report

Use this form to report your trapping activities. Reports must be submitted whether or not any trapping was done or any furs were taken.

Trapper Education & Workshops

First-time trappers must successfully complete a trapper education program covering skills, regulations, and trapping's role in scientific wildlife management. Trapper education programs teach basic techniques with a strong focus on the responsible treatment of animals, legal methods, safety, selectivity, and ethical trapper behavior.