Introduction to Trapping

The trapping of wildlife species for food and furs has long been a part of human existence.

• Since prehistoric times, man has utilized traps of one design or another to provide the basic needs for survival. However, in the modern era, trapping is more a tool of wildlife management and a form of recreation than a quest for food. Organizations and individuals opposed to trapping say it is unnecessary and harmful to the environment, but the opposite is true. 
• Today, trapping is a highly regulated activity. Anyone who traps must follow strict rules established and enforced by state fish and wildlife agencies. Restrictions on species that may be harvested, harvest seasons, trap types, trapping methods, and areas open to trapping are some of the guidelines and regulations that state agencies regularly review, implement, and enforce.