GENERAL INFORMATION

Modern, regulated trapping is used to manage habitat, monitor and control animal populations, protect and reintroduce endangered species, protect public and private property and conduct research. It is a technique for sustainable, consumptive use of the wildlife resource. In New Jersey there are trapping seasons for beaver, otter, mink, muskrat, eastern coyote, fox, opossum, raccoon, skunk and weasel.

In New Jersey, a trapping license is required and a Trapper Education course must be passed to trap in the state. To use a snare a person must have first passed a Fish and Wildlife-approved trapper education course which included use of snares and carry on their person appropriate certification thereof A person must be at least 12 years of age. Call 877-2-HUNT-NJ for course information when scheduled as announced on this page (March/April and September - October).

All traps set or used must bear a legible tag of durable material with the name and address of the person setting, using and maintaining the traps. A trap identification number issued by the Division may be used in lieu of a name and address (contact the Bureau of Wildlife Management at 609-292-6685 for more information).

All traps must be checked and tended at least once every 24 hours, preferably in the morning. When trapping beaver or otter, the trap tag must be clearly visible above the level of water or ice. Any person (including a farmer) who traps a coyote must notify a Division law enforcement office within 24 hours. Licensed trappers at least 18 years of age and in possession of a valid rifle permit may carry a .22 caliber rifle, and use only .22 caliber short rimfire cartridges to kill legally trapped animals

For more information please consult the appropriate section(s) of the Fish and Wildlife Digest.

2012-2013 TRAPPING SEASON

	2012-2013 Beaver/Otter Trapping Season Booklet (pdf, 200kb)
	2012-2013 Trapping Season Summary (pdf, 910kb)
	Beaver and Otter Management Zone Map - Low Resolution (jpg, 100kb) High Resolution (jpg, 900kb)
	Beaver and Otter Management Zone Descriptions (pdf, 26kb)

NEWSLETTERS

The DFW Upland Game and Furbearer Project began publication of the NJ Furbearer Management Newsletter with the Fall 2011 issue. Newsletters are published on a quarterly basis (October, January, April and July) and contain information about the state's furbearing species, management, research and other items of interest to the trapping community.

	New Jersey Furbearer Management Newsletter, Spring 2013 (pdf, 335kb)
	New Jersey Furbearer Management Newsletter, Winter 2012-2013 (pdf, 82kb)
	New Jersey Furbearer Management Newsletter, Fall 2012 (pdf, 122kb)
	New Jersey Furbearer Management Newsletter, Spring 2012 (pdf, 70kb)
	New Jersey Furbearer Management Newsletter, Winter 2012 (pdf, 600kb)
	New Jersey Furbearer Management Newsletter, Fall 2011 (pdf, 170kb)

SURVEYS and HARVEST DATA

	Fur Trapping Harvest Summary, 1985-2012 (pdf, 9kb)
	2011-12 New Jersey Trapper Harvest, Recreational and Economic Survey (pdf, 58kb)
	2010-11 New Jersey Trapper Harvest, Recreational and Economic Survey (pdf, 63kb)
	2009-10 New Jersey Trapper Harvest, Recreational and Economic Survey (pdf, 59kb)
	2008-09 New Jersey Trapper Harvest, Recreational and Economic Survey (pdf, 57kb)
	2007-08 New Jersey Trapper Harvest, Recreational and Economic Survey (pdf, 63kb)
	2006-07 New Jersey Trapper Harvest, Recreational and Economic Survey (pdf, 67kb)
	2005-06 New Jersey Trapper Harvest, Recreational and Economic Survey (pdf, 61kb)
	2004-05 New Jersey Trapper Harvest, Recreational and Economic Survey (pdf, 66kb)
	2003-04 New Jersey Trapper Harvest, Recreational and Economic Survey (pdf, 42kb)

ADDITIONAL LINKS