Trucks and traps, furbearer animals, pelts

Trappers

Those proud to call Wyoming home value its dedication to keeping traditions alive. Preserving customs is an important way to hand down our understanding of the past to future generations. The preservation of our trapping heritage is meaningful. It’s why the right to trap is codified in the Wyoming constitution.

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Beaver trap in Cody region water

Education

Trapper education is free and available online.

Education and mentoring of the next generation are needed to ensure trapping continues.

Learn More

Trapper Education Class- in person opportunity

taught by the Wyoming Trappers Association.

 

August 24, 2024 - Casper, Wyoming

8:00 a.m - 6:00 p.m.

Agriculture Resource and Learning Center 

2011 Fairgrounds Rd.

  • Catered lunch but bring your own water/soda.
  • Call E.J. Kelley to sign up 307-645-3008

Best Management Practices

Sharing the trail - reduce conflicts with recreationists

  • Avoid trapping around heavily used areas like trailheads, campgrounds, roads and busy trails.
    1/5
  • Take a trapper education class.
    2/5
  • Contact your local game warden or biologist to help identify areas heavily used by recreationists and their pets.
    3/5
  • Follow all trapping laws, ordinances and regulations.
    4/5
  • Utilize Trapping Best Management Practices to avoid non-target catches.
    5/5

We need your help!

 

Trappers visit more remote locations than others and your sightings can help us manage wildlife populations, even those not classified as furbearers. For example, information from trappers was crucial in identifying historic and recent locations for spotted skunks, the focus of at least two research projects through the University of Wyoming. This trapper-reported information helped determine survey locations, develop a predictive distribution map for the species in the state and collect much needed genetic samples -- none of which would have been possible without these reports.

 

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department asks for your help in collecting data about our wildlife. Any captures you report are anonymous and very helpful. While it is mandatory to report a big or trophy game animal, game bird, protected animal or raptor that has been injured in such a way that the injury may result in death of the animal or the animal has died, Game and Fish has interest in other animals you may encounter. We are specifically interested in knowing the locations of the species below that you may have encountered while trapping.

 

Report Wildlife

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Canada Lynx (Square)

Canada Lynx

 

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Least weasel (square)

Least weasel

 

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Spotted skunk (Square)

Spotted skunk

 

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Fisher (Resized)

Fisher 

 

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Ringtail (Square)

Ringtail

 

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Swift fox (Square)

Swift fox

 

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Gray Fox (square)

Gray fox

 

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River otter (Square)

River otter

 

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Wolverine (Square)

Wolverine

 

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Short- tailed Weasel on a Log

Furbearer regulations

Trapping regulations have changed over time to align with newly established best practices. Methods have evolved, too. Trapping in Wyoming remains a valuable wildlife and predator management practice. Regulated trapping helps reduce transmissible diseases like rabies, prevents crop damage and helps fund wildlife conservation.

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