Furbearer Trapping
Regulated trapping is an important part of Indiana’s management of furbearers. Trapping is highly regulated, and those regulations are strictly enforced by conservation officers. Regulated trapping is a sustainable activity that does not cause species to become endangered, and much of the animal trapped is used by those licensed to trap. Not all furbearers have a regulated trapping season.
Furbearers with a regulated trapping season include:
- beaver
- coyote
- gray fox
- long-tailed weasel
- mink
- muskrat
- opossum
- raccoon
- red fox
- river otter
- striped skunk
All of these species, except river otter, also have regulated hunting seasons. Like trapping seasons, these are generally in the fall and winter when the animals are mostly used for meat and fur and to avoid the period when the animals might have young in dens. To learn more about the hunting seasons and regulations for furbearers, visit the Hunting & Trapping Guide.
Trapping on state-owned lands
Best Management Practices for Trapping
Best Management Practices for Trapping, or BMPs, are determined by research into traps and trap systems for humaneness, efficiency, selectivity, practicality, and safety. The program has been testing traps and trap systems under international standards since 1997. BMPs help Indiana DNR be confident that traps and trap systems are humane for wildlife while giving licensed trappers information about which traps have been shown to be humane and effective at catching furbearers.
Bobcats
Bobcats can be tricky to successfully release from foothold traps. Bobcats are built differently than species like coyotes and foxes. Care must be taken to not cut off a bobcat’s blood flow. When releasing a bobcat from a foothold trap, it is important to not use a snare/catch pole, as this can cut off the bobcat’s main arteries. Using a V board instead will prevent harming the animal and keep you safe. A best management practice is having three swivel points on your trap chain for ease of leg movement. The following diagrams show examples of how to safely release a bobcat alone, or if you have help. If possible, releasing a bobcat with the help of another trapper is the safest option.
Tools you will need
V board
Heavy gloves
Trapper's helper
Swivel
Use the V board as a barrier to gently push the animal away after releasing.
Releasing the bobcat alone
Releasing the bobcat with help
