What you need to know:
Every person who wishes to trap in Ontario must have a trapping license and abide by the quotas, seasons and designated areas as indicated by that licence.
Ontario Regulation 667/98: Trapping
"3.(1) A trapping licence authorizes the holder to hunt or trap furbearing mammals and black bear in the area designated in the licence, subject to section 8.
(2) The holder of a trapping licence may hunt raccoon at night in the area designated in the licence if accompanied by a dog licensed for that purpose.
4. A Nishnawbe Aski First Nation Fur Harvesters licence to sell pelts and carcasses, a Trapper’s Authority issued by Grand Council Treaty #3 Trapping Resource Centre and a Trapper’s Authority issued by the Union of Ontario Indians shall be deemed to be trapping licences.
5. A trapping licence is valid for the period specified in the licence.
6. The holder of a trapping licence shall not capture or kill more than the number of the species of furbearing mammals and black bear fixed by the licence."
Where to start:
In order to be eligible for a trapping license, an approved Fur Harvest, Fur Management and Conservation course must be completed. Approved trapping courses are lead by ministry approved instructors. Courses can be found through Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Fleming College is one institution that offers an approved Fur Management course.
Other Requirements:
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H1 Outdoors Card
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Possession and Acquisition License (firearms)
Applying for a Licence:
Upon the successful completion of an approved Fur Harvest, Fur Management and Conservation Course course, one may apply for a trapping licence. To be eligible for a trapping licence in Ontario, the applicant must be an Ontario resident or Canadian Citizen.
Types of Licenses:
Landowner (Farmer's): may be used to trap on the owner's property
Resident: may be used on private land with landowner's permission or Crown Land (not part of a Registered Trapline Area)
Head trapper: may be used in the Registered Trapline Area specified by the licence. A helper trapper may be used but the head trapper takes responsibility for compliance with the law.
Helper trapper: may trap only within the areas on the head trapper's licence and all furbearing mammals trapped count towards the head trapper's quota
Youth (12-15 years of age): may trap, set traps, prepare and sell pelts under the direct supervision of a licensed trapper of at least 18 years of age
To learn more about the laws regarding licensing click here or visit www.ontario.ca.