Wildlife Management and BMPs

Wildlife professionals, trappers, and trapper associations historically have worked to improve trapping. Most advances today come from the efforts of trappers. Wildlife agencies have a long history of regulating trapping to ensure that the traps and trapping systems being used are the best available.

• The trapping BMP project is intended to provide wildlife management professionals in the United States with the data necessary to ensure animal welfare in trapping programs.
• BMPs include technical recommendations from expert trappers and biologists as well as a list of trap specifications that meet or exceed BMP criteria.
• BMPs provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field when trapping furbearers in various regions of the United States.
• They do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases.
• BMP equipment and techniques will continue to do the following:
• Ensure the welfare of trapped animals
• Avoid unintended capture of other animals
• Improve public confidence in trappers and wildlife managers
• Maintain public support for trapping and wildlife management