Trapping Is a Privilege

Furbearers are a public resource. Through laws and regulations, the public permits the harvest of some furbearers. But harvesting is a privilege given to trappers. It is not an individual right.

While trapping and hunting laws preserve wildlife, ethics preserve the trapper’s opportunity to trap. Because ethics generally govern behavior that affects public opinion of trappers, ethical behavior ensures that trappers are welcome and trapping areas stay open.

• Thousands of people trap each year. However, this number is only a small fraction of the country's total citizens. In most states, non-trapping citizens can remove the privilege to trap if the public believes trapping is inhumane or a threat to the furbearer wildlife resource.
• Some states have made trapping a group right. This helps protect trapping for future generations. Even in these states, trapping is a privilege for each individual. This privilege can be taken away if you violate the law.
• Because trapping is an individual privilege that can be removed, trappers must follow the law. To be accepted by the general public and other trappers, you also must follow a code of behavior called ethics.