The first step becoming an Ontario trapper is obtaining a trapping licence. If you don't already have a trapping licence, then follow this link to find out more!
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1.
Next, you need to familiarize yourself with the laws surrounding trapping in Ontario. This is a very important step! Knowing your regulations will save you from run ins with the law and ensures fair and ethical fur management. Learn more about trapping regulations here or by visiting www.ontario.ca.
2.
Before you start setting traps, you want to plan a few things. Decide on what you will be trapping. Different traps are designed for different furbearers, so it's important to know what you are hoping to harvest and what equipment is best suited for that particular animal. Once you know what you want to trap, then you can gather the appropriate trapping gear. A list of furbearing mammals in Ontario can be found here.
*Note: Although black bear is not considered a furbearing mammal, they can legally be trapped in Ontario (in accordance with the regulations.)
3.
Know your traps and know how to use them. Different traps have different outcomes. As a trapper in Ontario, your goal should be to humanely trap and harvest wildlife. Once again, it all comes down to knowing your regulations and believing in a fair and ethical chase. A list of legal traps can be found in the schedules of Ontario Regulation 667/98. Some examples are also provided here.
4.
Check your traps regularly. Being a responsible trapper means being aware of your traps at all times. Ontario laws state that traps must be checked every 24 hours. If possible, it is always best to check traps more often to reduce the chance of undue suffering and avoid losing your harvest to predators in the area. It is an offence to allow a harvest to be wasted.
5.
Hunting and Trapping in Ontario are built on a foundation of conservation and sustainability. It is important that we as huntswomen and huntsmen represent these values in our way of life. The actions of one hunter or trapper paint and image for non-hunters of the hunting and trapping community as a whole. Take pride in your sport and go forth with integrity.
Setting your Traps
The following links give some tips and tricks for setting your most common traps: