Furbearer Trapping Seasons & Regulations

2011 Pelt Tagging Schedule

Location 2011 Dates

• Southford Falls State Park Apr. 9, Saturday
  Rte. 188, Oxford
• Sessions Woods WMA Mar. 19, Saturday & Apr. 10, Sunday
  Rte. 69, Burlington
• Natchaug Forest Hdqtrs. Mar. 19, Saturday
  Kingsbury Road, Eastford
• Franklin WMA Apr. 9, Saturday
  Rte. 32, Franklin

Pelts will be tagged (at no cost) by DEP representatives between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon at the locations and dates listed above. Pelts can be tagged at some DEP field offices during weekdays by appointment. Call the Wildlife Division at 860-675-8130 for weekday and other tagging options.

Coyote Land Trapping

From December 1 through January 31 there are special provisions for trapping coyotes on private land. Refer to PADDED METAL TRAP RESTRICTIONS section in this guide for the requirements that must be met to trap coyotes on private land during this time period.

Taxidermists

Taxidermists can accept untagged animals or pelts, but are required to have them tagged by the next scheduled tagging date. Taxidermists must attach a paper tag to the animal or pelt listing the hunter or trapper’s name, Conservation ID number, town of harvest and date of harvest.

Pelts of Protected Species

Any skin, pelt, or carcass of protected species, including Bobcat and Black Bear, may not be sold, purchased, or possessed unless:

1. It was legally acquired and,
2. In addition to any tag required by any other state or country, affixed with a separate tag bearing the following information: (a) Date acquired. (b) Name and address of the person from whom it was acquired. (c) Hunting or trapping license number under which it was harvested (if applicable). (d) State and/or country from which it was acquired.

Carcass Collections

Wildlife biologists are collecting carcasses of river otters and fishers to determine the age structure and productivity of their populations. If you harvest river otters or fishers, you are urged to turn the carcasses in at pelt tagging stations or to call the Wildlife Division at 860-675-8130 to arrange a pick-up.

State Land Trapping

Permits for trapping on selected state-owned land can be purchased for $120.00 per unit. Information on applying for permits, applicant requirements, and available properties can be obtained by contacting the Sessions Woods WMA (860-675-8130).

Legal Traps And Methods

Furbearing animals for which there is an open trapping season may be taken by Box Traps, Live Traps, Deadfalls, Padded and Unpadded Metal Traps, Smooth Wire Traps, and Species Specific Traps subject to the following restrictions.

Unpadded Metal Trap Restrictions

1. May only be used below the surface of the water in a pond, lake, stream, spring hole, or tidal water.
2. Opening greater than 5¾" is prohibited, except that traps with an opening of up to 7½" may be set for beaver in waters frequented by beaver.

Padded Metal Trap Restrictions

1. May only be used in the burrow of a wild animal or below the surface of the water in a pond, lake, stream, spring hole, or tidal water. Except that, any person who has completed a DEP approved special land trapping course may use padded metal traps on or below ground from December 1 through January 31 for the taking of coyotes on private land parcels of at least 10 contiguous acres where the landowner has given written permission explicitly for the use of such traps. When trapping coyotes in this manner, no visible bait may be used, pan tension must be two pounds or greater, and traps must be securely anchored to the ground.
2. Opening greater than 515/16" is prohibited, except that traps with an opening of up to 7½" may be set for beaver in waters frequented by beaver.

Smooth Wire Trap Restrictions

1. May only be used below the surface of the water in a pond, lake, stream, spring hole, or tidal water. Except, smooth wire traps having an opening of 4¾" or less may extend above the surface of the water provided a portion of the trap frame remains in contact with the water.
2. Opening greater than 6½" is prohibited, except that Conibears and similar smooth wire traps with an opening of up to 10" may be set for beaver in waters frequented by beaver.

The Following are Prohibited:

• The use of any type of snare.
• Traps placed, set, or tended within 10 feet of the waterline of a muskrat house or beaver house.
• Traps with serrations or teeth.

Trappers Are Required To:

• Attach their name legibly to all traps.
• Obtain, and have in possession, the written permission of the landowner when trapping on their land. Written permission must be renewed annually.
• Tend all traps within a 24-hour period.

Trap Definitions

Padded Metal Trap: A legal padded metal trap has all of the following features or characteristics:

1. Spring strength not exceeding 55 inch pounds with arms closed and 85 inch pounds with arms in the open position;
2. A gap between the arms of the trap in the closed position no less than ¼ inch in width and no less than 4 inches in length;
3. Replaceable non-weather hardening, non-age hardening padding material not less than 3/32 inch thick covering the closing surfaces and securely affixed to the arms of the trap;
4. A chain no longer than 6 inches in length;
5. Swivels located at each end of the chain, and;
6. A shock absorbing spring incorporated into the anchoring chain.

Species Specific Trap: A legal species specific trap has all of the following features or characteristics:

1. Triggering and restraining mechanisms enclosed by a housing;
2. When set, triggering and restraining mechanism accessible only via a single opening;
3. An access opening measuring not greater than 2 inches in diameter or diagonally;
4. A triggering mechanism that can only be activated by a pulling force;
5. A swivel-mounted anchoring mechanism.