Trapping

Mandatory trapper education

The trapper education course is mandatory for:

• all first-time trappers before they may obtain a trap registration number or trap on the land of another.
• all first-time Problem Animal Control Agents.
• anyone planning to use a Bailey or Hancock trap. Bailey and Hancock traps may not be used, set, tended, or placed unless the trapper has successfully completed a training course in their use. The Bailey and Hancock certificate must be carried when using such traps.

Trapper Education course must be taken in Massachusetts. To be notified about Trapper Education courses call the Hunter Education program at (978) 772-0693 or fill out a course notification form online at the DFW website.

Trap types

The only traps that may be used for the taking of fur-bearing mammals are cage or box type traps and common rat traps. Hancock and Bailey traps may be used only when the trapper has been trained in their use, and may be used only for taking beaver. A trapper using these traps must possess a certificate of course completion. Common rat traps may be used for the taking of weasels only.

Steel-jaw foothold traps, padded jaw traps, body-gripping (Conibear) traps (see below), snares, deadfalls, and any traps other than those specified above are prohibited. Such traps may not be set, tended, used, or possessed in the field.

There is a detailed procedure for obtaining a special permit to use a body gripping (Conibear) trap for certain types of wildlife damage. Contact your local DFW District Office for details.

Reporting stolen traps: A trapper must report the loss or theft of a trap in writing to the Office of Law Enforcement within 48 hours of the loss or theft, or remain responsible for its use. The report should include the number and type of traps, the date, time, place and circumstances of the loss or theft. Such reports must be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury. Stolen traps should be reported to:

COASTAL Law Enforcement:

Mass. Environmental Police

Office of Law Enforcement

Attn: Trap Loss

Bldg. #45, 349 Lincoln St.

Hingham, MA 02043

INLAND law enforcement:

Mass. Environmental Police

Office of Law Enforcement

Attn: Trap Loss

183 Milk Street

Westborough, MA 01581

Staking is not a recognized practice and conveys no special trapping privileges.

Bobcat

Bobcat may be taken by trapping or salvaged in Wildlife Management Zones 1–8. All bobcats taken or salvaged must be checked within 4 working days of the end of the season (see Checking) at an official check station. Bobcats cannot be reported online.

SALE OF PELTS

Exporting raw furs: When shipping raw fur pelts by any carrier, the contents of the package and the shipper’s hunting or trapping license number must be listed on the outside of the package.

The destruction or removal of any identifying tag or label that is attached to a container in which skins are shipped is unlawful.

All river otter and bobcat require CITES tags to be lawfully exported for sale. Contact DFW District office for these tags.

Pelts of coyote, wild fox, wild mink, gray wolf, bobcat, lynx, fisher, marten, river otter, or beaver may not be sold in Massachusetts unless tagged by the state or province of origin.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND REPORTING VIOLATIONS

Know the current laws and regulations before you trap. If you are aware of illegal trapping activities, or suspect a violation of any wildlife law, Environmental Police Officers can be reached at (800) 632-8075 (toll free) or (617) 727-6398.

Violations and Penalties: Trapping licenses can be revoked for one year in addition to other penalties and fines as well as restitutions of up to $1000 and/or six months in jail. Traps and other equipment can be seized and forfeited to the Commonwealth. In addition, Problem Animal Control Licenses and/or Furbuyer licenses can be revoked, plus fines and penalties assessed, and additionally, fur products can be seized and forfeited to the Commonwealth.

Trap Registration

All traps used on the land of another must have a valid registration number embedded or cut into the trap. The assigned number, including letter and figures, must be at least ⅛ inches high and legible at all times. The trap must also have attached a metal tag bearing the owner’s name, town and registration number. Once obtained, your registration number is yours for life, but must be renewed every two years. To trap on another’s land, a trapper must maintain a current certification of that registration number. Registration numbers are available from the Boston office of the DFW. The annual fee for trap registration is $5.00. Renewal fee is $5.00. Make check payable to Comm. of MA—DFW.

Pelt checking/reporting

Beaver, bobcat, coyote, fisher, fox, mink, and river otter pelts/carcasses must be checked/reported within 4 working days of the end of the season by either 1) checking them at an official check station (see below) where an official seal will be affixed, or 2) reporting them online (except bobcat and river otter, which cannot be reported online) and writing the assigned confirmation number on a tag of your own making, then attaching the tag to the carcass or pelt. Official seals or confirmation numbers must remain attached to all pelts/carcasses, with the specific confirmation number issued for each particular pelt or carcass, until the carcass is prepared for mounting by a taxidermist, or the pelt is sold or tanned.

Furbearer Check Stations

Check stations are located at all Wildlife District offices, Bitzer and Sunderland State Fish Hatcheries, and West Boylston Field Headquarters (Monday–Friday excluding holidays). Coyotes may be reported/checked online or at other locations; visit our website at www.mass.gov/masswildlife or call West Boylston Field Headquarters. See list of DFW check stations at right. Call check station prior to bringing animals for sealing.