Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS)
The AIHTS sets performance standards for traps used in the harvest of eight species of furbearers in Newfoundland and Labrador. All trappers are required to use trap types for certain species that have been regulated for use under the Agreement. A complete list of certified killing traps and restraining traps is available https://fur.ca/certified-traps/ including those that are applicable for fur species trapped in Newfoundland and Labrador.
New for 2019-20
- A two week trapping season will continue to be established for lynx in Zone B on the Island of Newfoundland that begins January 15, 2020 and closes February 1, 2020. All lynx harvested in Zones A and B require mandatory skin/pelt registration.
- The opening date for muskrat, otter, coyote, wolf, fox, ermine, and squirrel on the Northern Peninsula (Fur Zone 11) has changed from November 1 to October 20.
Trapper Education Course
- All new trappers must complete the Trapper Education Course. For information on courses to be held in your area, contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Trappers Association by phone at 709.691.0268 or by email at nltrappers@hotmail.com. Course fees: Adults $150, Age 17 and under $80.
- There is no age restriction for participation in the Trapper Education Course; however, minors must provide a consent form and/or be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
- If you complete a trapper education course after August 25, 2019 you are not guaranteed to receive a trapper’s licence for the 2019-20 season.
- Only licenced trappers may harvest furbearers, and participate in trapping activities.
Newfoundland and Labrador Trappers Association (NLTA)
The NLTA welcomes new members and invites existing members to renew their memberships. A one-year membership costs $25. For further information, contact the NLTA at P.O. Box 74, Norman’s Cove, NL, A0B 2T0, by phone at 709.6910268 or by email at nltrappers@hotmail.com
- The 2019 NLTA Annual General Meeting will be held during August 2019 in Eastport. For more information visit: www.nltrappers.com
Beaver
- Beaver trapline boundaries and availability information is now available online at the following link: https://www.flr.gov.nl.ca/wildlife/trapping/maps/index.html
- Beaver are managed through a trapline system on the Island of Newfoundland. Only trappers that have been approved to hold a trapline can legally be issued a licence to trap them. If you do not hold a trapline currently and wish to be placed on a priority list should one become vacant, or are interested in holding one of the currently vacant traplines, please submit your request to the Wildlife Divsion (attention: Beaver Trapline).
- Beaver trappers are required to harvest a minimum of five beavers per season unless justification is presented otherwise. If not carried out, the trapline may be cancelled and assigned to another trapper.
- Should a beaver trapper choose not to harvest beaver on their trapline due to low population levels, provide this information in writing to the Wildlife Division (attention: Beaver Trapline). Regulations permit the temporary closure of a trapline to allow the population to recover. Unless it can be shown that a trapper was responsible for the population decline, the trapper who held the trapline prior to closure will have first priority once it reopens.
- A harvest of five beaver does not necessarily reflect proper utilization of the trapline. Trappers are advised that an appropriate harvest equates to one beaver per active beaver lodge on their trapline. High beaver densities and increasing problem complaints may result in cancellation of a trapline if sufficient numbers of animals are not harvested.
- Beaver trappers are reminded that each year many complaints are received about damaged property, flooded culverts and roadways and the presence of beavers in water supplies. Nuisance beavers must often be removed in the spring and summer when pelts are not prime. Beaver trappers are asked to focus efforts on these potential problem areas if they are on their trapline.
- Pelt stamping will continue to be delivered through Department of Fisheries and Land Resources offices in an effort to accommodate trappers, particularly those living in remote areas. Regulations require that all beaver be pelted and stamped by fourteen days after the season closes.
- Beaver trappers are responsible for completing and submitting the Beaver Data Information Form enclosed with your licence. Send them to the Wildlife Division (attention: Beaver Trapline).
- It is illegal for registered beaver trappers to accept beavers caught by someone else from a trapline that is not your own. This jeopardizes the management strategy for beavers. General trappers must surrender accidentally caught beavers to the registered trapline owner or a Department of Fisheries and Land Resources office.
Lynx Skins and Carcasses
- On the Island of Newfoundland, all lynx harvested during an open season must be registered at a Department of Fisheries and Land Resources office. Skins must be stamped by February 7, 2020.
- On the Island of Newfoundland, all lynx (pelt and carcass) trapped accidently during the closed season or in a closed area must be turned into a Department of Fisheries and Land Resources office within seven days of capture.
Wolves
Labrador trappers are required to submit either the entire skull or lower jawbone of harvested wolves. The information gathered will aid in better understanding the biology of wolves. These can be submitted to your nearest Department of Fisheries and Land Resources or Wildlife Division office. Contact the Wildlife Division office in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for more information. Skulls must be submitted by May 8, 2020.
Non-beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement are required to get permission to access Labrador Inuit Lands unless your interests are accommodated under the Agreement.
Newfoundland Marten
- To avoid conflicts with the threatened Newfoundland marten, best management practices outline the techniques, trap types and areas where trapping can occur by categorizing various trap types permitted in these areas. See Best Practices for Newfoundland Marten for approved methods.
- Marten which are accidentally trapped or snared on the Island must be immediately turned over to the nearest Department of Fisheries and Land Resources office. Information on the date and location of capture, along with the method of capture used, will be requested.
Application Deadlines
Beaver trapline licence renewals must be received by October 11, 2019 or your trapline may be forfeited. To ensure your beaver trapping licence is received by the start of the season your application must be received by August 23, 2019.
How Do I Get A Licence?
- Trapper licence renewal applications are mailed automatically to registered trappers only and should be received by mail in early August 2019.
- The is no deadline for receipt of general trapper’s or beaver trapline licence applications, but to receive a licence prior to the start of the trapping season applications and payments should be received by August 23, 2019. Applications and payments received after that date will be processed as soon as possible. Send them to the Central Cashier’s Office, P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL, A1B 4J6 (attention: Trapper’s Licence Application). Trappers may also renew and pay for their licence online by visiting www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca.
Trapping in the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area (LISA)
The Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement specifies that before a non-Inuit resident of Labrador residing outside of LISA can trap in LISA, they must demonstrate that they held a commercial trapping license on June 25, 2001 and trapped there traditionally. Non-Inuit living inside LISA must have held a commercial trapping license on December 1, 2005. Both these groups of non-Inuit may harvest furbearers in Labrador Inuit Lands without the consent of the Nunatsiavut Government.
Upon the recommendation of the Torngat Wildlife and Plants Co-management Board, the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources may issue a commercial trapping license to other individuals to trap in the LISA as set out in the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement. These individuals are required to seek the consent of the Nunatsiavut Government to access Labrador Inuit Lands. Please refer to the section entitled “Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement” in this guide.
Online Services
Many of the services provided by the Wildlife Division, such as submitting trapping licence applications and payments, and submitting licence returns, can now be accessed online at www.wildlife.gov.nl.ca provided that you have your login identification and password.
Firearms Regulations for Trappers
- In Labrador, holders of a general trapper’s licence may use firearms to harvest furbearers during the trapping season.
- On the Island of Newfoundland, holders of a general trapper’s licence are permitted to use a centre-fire rifle not greater than a .225 caliber or a shotgun using shot size #2 or larger (slugs are not permitted) to harvest fox, lynx and coyote (included wolf and wolf coyote-hybrids) during the open trapping season for these species.
- Holders of trapper’s licence are also permitted to use a .22 rim-fire rifle to dispatch live furbearers caught in traps.
- Trappers can only use firearms if they have completed the Trapper Education Course and the Canadian Firearms Safety and Hunter Education Course, have in their possession an Outdoor Identification Card, and possess a valid General Trapper’s Licence. Click here for more information concerning Youth Trapping Licences.
Closed Areas
All Provincial and National Parks and listed Ecological Reserves are closed to trapping except as permitted by specific regulation or Land Claims Agreement. See here for additional areas that are closed to trapping. For specific boundary descriptions, contact the Wildlife Division office.
Fur Sales and Permits
- Fur Export Licences must be acquired by trappers who send furs directly to companies, agents, or buyers outside the province. A Fur Export Permit is also required for each shipment. Licences are available from the Wildlife Division. Permits are available at Department of Fisheries and Land Resources offices.
Trappers typically sell their pelts at fur auctions. Top and average prices for well prepared, seasoned skins are usually higher when goods are sold by auction as opposed to a fur buyer.
Fur Buyer Agents
Fur Harvesters Auction Inc.
Newfoundland Agent
Eugene Tiller
12 Walsh’s Avenue
Pasadena, NL A0L 1K0
Phone: 686-5000
etiller@mail.com
Fur Harvesters Auction Inc.
Labrador Agent
Jim Shouse
P.O. Box 483, Stn. C
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL
A0P 1C0
Phone: 896-1036
North American Fur Auctions
Labrador Agent
Bob Best
40 Markland Road,
Box 817 Stn. C
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL
A0P 1C0
Phone: 896-5761
Trappers providing furs to auctions/agents should note that:
- Fur dealers offer cash advances to trappers submitting furs for auction.
- When shipping to North American Fur Auctions or Fur Harvesters Auction Inc. use the addresses as listed above. Some trappers choose to ship their fur direct to the mainland. There is no advantage to this practice since: a) commission rates are the same (11%) whether you ship direct or via a local agent; and b) persons who ship direct must go through the trouble of obtaining an export licence. Therefore, it is more convenient to ship via the local fur auction agents.
- If you choose to ship directly to the mainland to a fur auction or fur buyer, please remember that an export licence is required for each shipment. It is an offense under the Wild Life Act and Regulations to ship furs directly out of the province without an export licence.
- When dealing with auction companies/agents or buyers within the province, trappers need only to maintain their own individual records of furs being processed for auction.