HUNTING IN WYOMING

Recreationists

Sharing the trails

Did you know that trapping can occur on public and private lands any time of the year? 

The chance that your pet will encounter a trap or snare is rare, but if you recreate in Wyoming, you should be prepared if it happens. 

Knowing when trapping seasons are open is one important step to preventing your pet from getting caught. It is your responsibility to understand the risks involved with having pets off leash as well as the local rules and regulations regarding your pets and recreation.

The height of trapping season is October - March when the furbearing animals’ fur is at its thickest.

Here are some tips that can help pet owners reduce conflicts with traps:
  • Learn how to release your pet from traps and snares and carry the needed release tools when your pet is off-leash.

  • Leash your pet whenever you can.

  • Train your dog to sit or stay calm when restrained (train them not to pull or tug). 

  • NEVER allow your dog onto private property, and teach your dog to stay close when walking off-leash.

  • Take a Trapper education class and learn to recognize areas where traps and snares are commonly set like creek beds, draws, fence lines, canal banks, prominent rocky hillsides, and private lands adjacent to public lands.

  • Follow all laws, ordinances, and regulations for the area and for the type of recreation you are participating in. 
     

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How to release your pet from a trap

It is a good idea to know how to remove a trap or snare before you recreate outside with your pets. Keeping your pet safe is your responsibility. Read on to see how to release different traps and what tools you may need to carry. 

 

If a pet is accidentally caught in a trap or snare, you can remove it with some simple instructions and tools. 





 


​​Creek beds, draws, fence lines, canal banks, prominent rocky hillsides, and private land adjacent to public land are all common areas where trap sets can be found.

A. Furbearer trapping season generally occurs from October to March, but badgers and wildlife classified as predators can be trapped all year. 
A. Yes. Traps set to catch badgers or wildlife classified as predatory animals may be set any time of the year.
A. Print and read this small instruction booklet to be prepared. Call your local game warden to report the incident afterward.
A. No, but you can educate yourself on where to expect traps through a trapper education class, a trapping mentor, or even your local game warden or biologist
A. The Wyoming Game and Fish regulates furbearers such as badger, beaver, bobcat, muskrat, mink, and marten but does not have regulatory authority over animals classified by statute as predators like coyotes, red fox, raccoons, skunks, and some others.

Furbearer Working Group

The Furbearer Working Group (FWG) is an interactive group of Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel representing the Regions and work units throughout the Game and Fish Department. The goal of the FWG is to provide insight, perspective, and recommendations on issues and/or concerns related to furbearer management and trapping in Wyoming. The FWG supports science-based trapping methods and management of Wyoming’s furbearers while taking into consideration social and political concerns associated with these activities on the landscape.

You can contact the Working Group here

Conserving Wildlife - Serving People