Trapping in NH

Trapping is an important part of New Hampshire’s furbearer management efforts. Under the guidance of regulated programs, trappers help maintain furbearer populations, provide data through annual reports, and resolve conflicts between people and wildlife. Trappers help keep New Hampshire’s furbearer populations at healthy levels.

 

 

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Trapper Education

Trapper Education teaches participants how to be safe, responsible and ethical while trapping furbearing animals. Courses are offered April through September. If no courses are currently listed, please check back frequently as new courses may be added.

 

Course Options

 

Trapper Education Online–Residents ages 12 and older only.

Study and pass the online "Today's Trapper" course. The cost is $34.50 for the online course, and up to an additional $5.00 per field day per student. Students will be required to attend a field day and pass a written exam that day with a score 80% or better.

NOTE: All field days are full and will resume in the spring of 2023.

Register Now

 

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Trapper Education Traditional Course–Residents ages 12 and older only.

An 8-hour instructor-led in-person course. The cost for this course is no more than $5.00 per student. Students must attend the entire course and will be required to pass a written exam with a score of 80% or better.

NOTE: All traditional courses are full and will resume in the spring of 2023.

 

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Become an Instructor

 

Learn how you can support trapper education by becoming a volunteer instructor with NH Fish and Game.

 

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Trapping License Requirements

 

To purchase a NH trapping license, you must have either:

• A previous New Hampshire trapping license issued in the last 3 years; or
• A trapper education card. 

All first-time trappers must become certified by successfully completing a trapper education class. An in-person field day is required for all courses. Online trapper education courses without an in-person field day will not be accepted.

 

Purchase your trapping license in one of two ways:

• In-person at NH Fish and Game Headquarters in Concord (get directions); or
• Download the print-and-mail application 

 

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Forms

• Permit to Trap -- For use by landowners to grant permission to trap on their land
• Annual Trappers Reporting Form -- Required on or before April 30 each year, whether or not trapping activity occurred or furs were taken.
• Fur Dealer Record Book -- Must be carried on the person to whom issued at all times when buying the skins of furbearing animals and deer skins.

 

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Trapping Regulations and Resources

 

• Current NH Trapping Regulations are included in the New Hampshire Hunting and Trapping Digest
• How to Avoid the Incidental Taking of Lynx and Wolves
• More maps of Wildlife Management Units
• Map: Furbearer Management Regions 
• Furbearer harvest: see NH Wildlife Harvest Summary.
• Game Processing Resources