North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

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Trapping Publications

TitleDescriptionHow to Obtain
Legal Trap TypesLegal Trap Types is a list with descriptions of the different legal trap types allowed in North Carolina.Download this document
County Fox Harvest Seasons Legislated by the North Carolina General Assembly
This document provides a general listing of current statutes pertaining to allowing the harvest of foxes by the NCGA. It includes all known “local laws” as well as a listing of those counties that fall under the fox firearms season set by G.S. 113-291-4A. “Local laws” which prohibit an activity or harvest are listed in the Regulations Digest.Download the document
TitleSorted By Title In Ascending OrderDescriptionHow to Obtain
Trapper Education Manual

The IAFWA trapper education manual was designed to assure that content taught to students was consistent among state agencies, despite differences in trapping regulations. This is a similar method used by state hunter educational programs.

Each state is unique concerning the species and numbers of furbearers present, regulations, and traditions. Please consult North Carolina’s trapping regulations for specific restrictions regarding permissible trap-types, furbearer species and other regulations pertinent to North Carolina.

Download the manual
TitleDescriptionHow to Obtain
Trapping and Furbearer Management in North American Wildlife Conservation
Trapping and Furbearer Management in North American Wildlife Conservation is a compilation of the knowledge, insights and experiences of professional wildlife biologists who are responsible for the conservation of wildlife resources throughout the United States and Canada. It is based on the original Trapping and Furbearer Management:Perspectives from the Northeast published in 1996 by the Northeast Furbearer Resources Technical Committee.Download the document
The Wildlife Society’s Position Statement on Traps, Trapping, and Furbearer ManagementInternationally accepted principles of natural resources conservation stipulate that resource management activities must maintain essential ecological processes, preserve genetic diversity, and ensure continued existence of species and ecosystems. Regulated trapping in North America is consistent with all three criteria and is a versatile, safe, effective, and ecologically sound method of harvesting and managing furbearers.Download the document
Fox and Coyote Populations Study Final Report (April 1, 2012)

In June 2011, the North Carolina General Assembly directed the Wildlife Resources Commission (Commission) to study fox and coyote populations and to recommend management methods and controls designed to ensure statewide conservation of fox populations while managing adverse effects of coyote populations. Since that time, the Commission has gathered information about the attitudes and perspectives of numerous stakeholder groups.

In addition, the Commission compiled all available information on the harvest and status of foxes and coyotes by hunters and trappers. Included herein is a detailed presentation of the different authorities for regulating take of foxes and coyotes, including the Commission’s limited authority for regulating take of foxes, and the resulting significant variation in fox hunting and trapping seasons.

Download the report
TitleSorted By Title In Ascending OrderDescriptionHow to Obtain
Best Management Practices for Trapping Beaver in the United States
Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. BMPs are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of ongoing work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Beaver BMPs
Best Management Practices for Trapping Bobcats in the United States
Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. Best Management Practices are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach, and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of on-going work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Bobcat BMPs
Best Management Practices for Trapping Coyotes in the Eastern United States
Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. Best Management Practices are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach, and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of on-going work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Coyote BMPs
Best Management Practices for Trapping Gray Foxes in the United States
Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. Best Management Practices are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach, and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of on-going work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Fox (Gray) BMPs
Best Management Practices for Trapping Mink in the United States
Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. Best Management Practices are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach, and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of on-going work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Mink BMPs
Best Management Practices for Trapping Muskrats in the United States
Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. Best Management Practices are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach, and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of on-going work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Muskrats
Best Management Practices for Trapping Nutria in the United States
Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. Best Management Practices are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach, and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of on-going work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Nutria BMPs
Best Management Practices for Trapping Opossums in the United States
Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. Best Management Practices are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach, and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of on-going work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Opossum BMPs
Best Management Practices for Trapping Raccoons in the United States
Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. Best Management Practices are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach, and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of on-going work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Raccoon BMPs
Best Management Practices for Trapping Red Foxes in the United StatesTrapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. Best Management Practices are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach, and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of on-going work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Fox (Red) BMPs
Best Management Practices for Trapping Striped Skunk in the United States
Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. Best Management Practices are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach, and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of on-going work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Striped Skunk BMPs
Best Management Practices for Trapping Weasels in the United States
Trapping Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide options, allowing for discretion and decision making in the field. Best Management Practices are meant to be implemented in a voluntary and educational approach, and do not present a single choice that can or must be applied in all cases. BMPs are the product of on-going work that may be updated as additional traps are identified through future scientific testing.Download the Weasel BMPs