Fur harvesting, along with hunting and fishing, are important activities for human recreation, culture, survival, the economy and for wildlife management.
Fur harvesting requires a personal moral commitment and code of ethics both during and outside of trapping seasons. Trappers must always act in a professional, humane, and ethical manner.
- Have the landowner’s permission before trapping on private land.
- Do not set traps in areas where pets or farm animals may be caught.
- Use proper locking devices on snares.
- Make only drowning sets or quick kill sets for aquatic furbearers. Ensure that water is deep enough to prevent the animal from resurfacing.
- Do not disturb traps or snares of other fur harvesters.
- Check traps regularly, preferably in the morning and observe mandatory checks of live holding devices.
- Learn how to make carcasses a useful resource. Do not leave animal carcasses where people may be offended.
- Cooperate with your provincial wildlife management authority to ensure furbearer resources can be effectively surveyed and managed.
- Trap in areas where there is an abundance of furbearers.
- Support and help train new trappers in proper conservation, pelt preparation and harvest methods.
- Know and follow all fur harvesting regulations.
- Support enforcement of all regulations.
- Assist neighbours, livestock owners, farmers and municipalities with nuisance furbearers when it is legal to do so.
- Do not offend those who may be sensitive about fur harvesting.
- Be a polite, knowledgeable spokesperson for fur harvesting.
- Respect the territory and the trap sets of other fur harvesters.
- Report violations of fish and wildlife laws to provincial enforcement authorities.
- Ensure all trapped animals are dispatched in a quick and humane manner.
- Do not boast about your trapping activities or the amount of fur that you harvested.
- Prepare your furs with care.
- Support your provincial trappers and fur harvesters’ association.
- Use the most humane traps available for the species that you are trapping.
- Complete your trapping returns accurately and submit information at the end of the season.
- Always retrieve all set traps and snares at the end of each season.