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. To see a list of traps currently certified for Newfoundland and Labrador check the Fur Bearing Animals and Coyote Trapping and Shooting Order, Newfoundland and Labrador see here.
Ongoing Research on Humane Killing Neck Snares for Canids
On behalf of Canadian provinces and territories, the Trap Research and Development Committee (TRDC) of the Fur Institute of Canada coordinates various activities to determine whether killing and restraining trapping methods, as defined in the AIHTS, are in compliance with the established animal welfare criteria relevant to trapping twelve Canadian wild furbearers. Part of this effort is dedicated toward continuous refinement of trapping systems and field systems for enhanced animal welfare. A current initiative has been the evaluation of various designs of killing neck snares for canids (coyote, wolf) to evaluate their level of effectiveness in terms of animal welfare and capture performance. The work of the TRDC has led to the development of the best trap design and trapping techniques for canids using killing neck snares. Current guidance on the best snare design can be found here: Certified Traps | Fur Institute of Canada
Notices
Breakaway Devices
Current best practices involving the use of breakaway devices being added to neck snares will become mandatory on the island of Newfoundland starting in the 2025-26 season for trapping terrestrial furbearers such as lynx, fox, coyote and wolf. These measures are being implemented to reduce incidental captures of moose and caribou. These measures are being announced now to provide trappers with ample opportunity to modify existing snares or replace equipment as necessary. More information is available in the Trapping Practices to Avoid Non-Target Species section.
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 20, 2024 you are not guaranteed to receive a trapper’s licence for the 2024-25 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 $30. For further information, contact the NLTA at P.O. Box 215, Chapel Arm, NL, A0B 1L0, by phone at 709.691.0268 or by email at nltrappers@hotmail.com
The NLTA’s next annual general meeting will be held at the Mt. Peyton Hotel on April 6, 2024.
Beaver
- Beaver trapline boundaries and availability information is now available online at the following link: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ffa/public-education/wildlife/trapping/maps/
- 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 Division (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, Forestry and Agriculture 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, Forestry and Agriculture 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, Forestry and Agriculture office. Skins must be stamped by February 10, 2025.
- On the Island of Newfoundland, all lynx (pelt and carcass) trapped accidentally during the closed season or in a closed area must be turned into a Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture 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, Forestry and Agriculture or Wildlife Division office. Contact the Wildlife Division office in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for more information. Skulls must be submitted by May 15, 2025.
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 vulnerable 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, Forestry and Agriculture office. Information on the date and location of capture, along with the method of capture used, will be requested.
Application Deadlines
- The is no deadline for receipt of general trapper’s or beaver trapline licence applications, however, to receive a licence prior to the start of the trapping season applications and payments must be received by August 31, 2024. Applications and payments received after these dates will be processed as soon as possible.
- Beaver trapline licence renewals must be received by October 7, 2024 or your trapline may be forfeited.
How Do I Get A Licence?
Trapper licence renewal is now available as an online service only. Eligible trappers must have an online account to log into the Department’s Wildlife Information Management System (WIMS) portal. For further information about our online services, please contact the Wildlife Division at 709-637-2025/709-729-2630 or by email at wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca. Please include your name, NL Driver’s Licence/NL Photo ID and telephone number in your email correspondence.
When applying and providing payment please allow 48 hours for payments to go through. If you are concerned about your payment going through please contact the Wildlife Division through the means listed above.
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, Forestry and Agriculture 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 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, Trappers who hold a valid trapping licence may also shoot lynx, fox and coyote (including wolf-coyote hybrids) using centerfire rifles up to .225 calibre during the period when trapping seasons for these species are open except during the big game moose season (September 14 – December 31, 2024) on the island.
- Holders of trapper’s licence are also permitted to use a rim-fire rifles of not greater than .22 calibre 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, Forestry and Agriculture 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
Sheldon Mosier12 Walsh’s Avenue
102 Fudges Rd. Corner Brook
A2H 2C8
Phone: 632-3665
Fur Harvesters Auction Inc.
Labrador Agent
Jim Shouse
P.O. Box 483, Stn. C
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL
A0P 1C0
Phone: 896-1036
Trappers providing furs to auctions/agents should note that:
- Fur dealers may offer cash advances to trappers submitting furs for auction.
- When shipping to 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.