Furbearer Trapping Seasons and Regulations

2020 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide

New procedures for Pelt Tagging for the 2019-2020 trapping season that are consistent with our "Stay Safe, Stay Home" policy.

Species	Dates	Limits
River Otter*	Jan. 1 - Mar. 15 and Nov. 8 - Dec. 31	8
Beaver*	Jan. 1 - Mar. 31 and Dec. 1 - Dec. 31	No Limit
Mink*, Muskrat, Weasel, Coyote*, Gray Fox*, Red Fox*, Raccoon, Opossum, and Skunk	Jan. 1 - Mar. 15 and Nov. 8 - Dec. 31	No Limits
Fisher* (The bag limit for fisher has been reduced from 4 to 2. Trappers are now required to submit fisher carcasses to the Wildlife Division for research purposes.)	Nov. 20 - Dec. 31	2

*ALL BEAVER, RIVER OTTER, RED FOX, GRAY FOX, WILD MINK, COYOTE, and FISHER PELTS must be properly tagged before they are sold, exchanged, given away, otherwise disposed of, or retained for personal use. These pelts must be tagged by the last scheduled tagging date of the season. Fur dealers are prohibited from buying or selling untagged pelts of these species. Foxes and coyotes taken by hunters, instead of being pelt tagged, may be reported online or by telephone (1-877-337-4868).

New Procedures for Pelt Tagging for the 2019-2020 Trapping Season 

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected many of our activities, interactions, and schedules. Precautions to limit human contact and reduce the probability of disease transmission included cancellation of the pelt tagging options that have traditionally been available. The Department has been working to find workable alternatives that still allow pelts to be tagged while maintaining social distancing.

This season, DEEP will provide pelt tags by mail. Trappers can contact us to request tags for pelts taken in the 2019-2020 season by sending an email to Geoffrey.Krukar@ct.gov or calling one of the following phone numbers:  860-418-5956 (Franklin WMA) or 860-424-3211 (Sessions WMA). Trappers will also be required to fill out and return report forms for those pelts needing tags. The report forms will ask for the same information we ask at traditional pelt tagging stations. You will be asked for a list of the number of each species you need tags for and a mailing address. The required number of tags and report forms will be mailed to you. Immediately attach the tags to your pelts once you receive them in the mail. The report forms will be due within 30 days of receipt. The forms will be treated as other harvest reports, so there are penalties for submitting false reports.

Coyote Land Trapping

From December 1 through January 31 there are special provisions for trapping coyotes on private land. Refer to padded metal trap restrictions for the requirements that must be met to trap coyotes on private land during this time period.

Bobcat Captures

Any Connecticut trapper who incidentally captures a bobcat with ear tags and/or a GPS collar should record the tag number before releasing the bobcat. Trappers in the Farmington Valley who incidentally capture ANY bobcat during the fall 2020/winter 2021 trapping seasons should contact  DEEP's 24-hour Dispatch Center at 860-424-3333 as soon as possible. DEEP Wildlife Division biologists will arrange to meet trappers to immobilize, tag, and release the bobcat on site. For detailed information, visit the Bobcats in Connecticut webpage.

Taxidermists

Taxidermists can accept untagged animals or pelts, but are required to have them tagged by the next scheduled tagging date. Taxidermists must attach a paper tag to the animal or pelt listing the hunter or trapper's name, license number, town of harvest, and date of harvest.

Pelts of Protected Species

Any skin, pelt, or carcass of protected species, including bobcat and black bear, may not be sold, purchased, or possessed unless:

1. It was legally acquired AND,
2. In addition to any tag required by any other state or country, affixed with a separate tag bearing the following information:
   1. Date acquired.
   2. Name and address of the person from whom it was acquired.
   3. Hunting or trapping license number under which it was harvested (if applicable).
   4. State and/or country from which it was acquired.

Carcass Collections

New Regulation: Trappers are now required to submit fisher carcasses to the Wildlife Division for research purposes. The carcasses can be frozen and submitted during one of the listed pelt tagging dates, or if needed, call the Wildlife Division at 860-424-3015 to arrange for a pick-up or drop-off date.

State Land Trapping

Permits (Word Form / PDF) for trapping on selected state-owned land can be purchased for $120.00 per unit. There are two units, one east and one west of the Connecticut River. The units include many of the state forests and wildlife management areas. Information on applying for permits, applicant requirements, and available properties can be obtained by contacting the Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011.

Legal Traps and Methods

Furbearing animals for which there is an open trapping season may be taken by Box Traps, Live Traps, Deadfalls, Padded and Unpadded Metal Traps, Smooth Wire Traps, and Species Specific Traps subject to the following restrictions.

Unpadded Metal Trap Restrictions

1. May only be used below the surface of the water in a pond, lake, stream, spring hole, or tidal water.
2. Opening greater than 5 3/4" is prohibited, except that traps with an opening of up to 7 1/2" may be set for beaver in waters frequented by beaver.

Padded Metal Trap Restrictions

1. May only be used in the burrow of a wild animal or below the surface of the water in a pond, lake, stream, spring hole, or tidal water. Except that, any person who has completed a DEEP-approved coyote land trapping course (trapper must carry proof of course completion on their person) may use padded metal traps on or below ground from December 1 through January 31 for the taking of coyotes on private land parcels of at least 10 contiguous acres where the landowner has given written permission explicitly for the use of such traps. When trapping coyotes in this manner, no visible bait may be used, pan tension must be two pounds or greater, and traps must be securely anchored to the ground.
2. Opening greater than 5 15/16" is prohibited, except that traps with an opening of up to 7 1/2" may be set for beaver in waters frequented by beaver.

Smooth Wire Trap Restrictions

1. May only be used below the surface of the water in a pond, lake, stream, spring hole, or tidal water. Except, smooth wire traps having an opening of 4 3/4" or less may extend above the surface of the water provided a portion of the trap frame remains in contact with the water.
2. Opening greater than 6 1/2" is prohibited, except that Conibears and similar smooth wire traps traps with an opening of up to 10" may be set for beaver in waters frequented by beaver.

The following are prohibited:

• The use of any type of snare.
• Traps placed, set, or tended within 10 feet of the waterline of a muskrat or beaver house.
• Traps with serrations or teeth.

Trappers are required to:

• Attach their name legibly to all traps.
• Tend all traps within a 24-hour period. 
• Obtain, and have in possession, the written permission of the landowner when trapping on their land. WRITTEN PERMISSION MUST BE RENEWED ANNUALLY.
• NEW! Trappers have the option to use an official DEEP form to obtain written permission.

Trap Definitions

Padded Metal Trap: A legal padded metal trap has all of the following features or characteristics:

1. Spring strength not exceeding 55 inch pounds with arms closed and 85 inch pounds with arms in the open position;
2. A gap between the arms of the trap in the closed position no less than 1/4 inch in width and no less than 4 inches in length;
3. Replaceable non-weather hardening, non-age hardening padding material not less than 3/32 inch thick covering the closing surfaces and securely affixed to the arms of the trap;
4. A chain no longer than 6 inches in length;
5. Swivels located at each end of the chain, and;
6. A shock absorbing spring incorporated into the anchoring chain.

Species Specific Trap: A legal species specific trap has all of the following features or characteristics:

1. Triggering and restraining mechanisms enclosed by a housing;
2. When set, triggering and restraining mechanism accessible only via a single opening;
3. An access opening measuring not greater than 2 inches in diameter or diagonally;
4. A triggering mechanism that can only be activated by a pulling force;
5. A swivel-mounted anchoring mechanism.

Rabies: What Hunters and Trappers Should Know

• Rabies is a disease caused by a virus affecting the central nervous system. Left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal.
• Rabies is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, however, people may also be exposed by being scratched by a rabid animal or getting an animal's saliva in an open wound or mucous membrane (eyes, nose, or mouth).
• Only mammals get rabies. Raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, dogs, and cats are most likely to get rabies. Rabbits, opossums, and squirrels are seldom affected.
• Since 1991, rabies has infected thousands of raccoons in Connecticut.

Hunters and trappers can minimize their risk of exposure to rabies by following several common sense rules and by knowing what to do if they or their pets are exposed:

1. Avoid contact with animals appearing sick or acting abnormal, i.e. aggressive, paralyzed, disoriented or unusually tame.
2. Wear disposable rubber gloves when dressing and skinning game, and clean up with soap and water promptly.
3. Make sure your dogs have current rabies vaccinations. If you have a cat as a household pet, be certain it is vaccinated as well.
4. If you frequently handle high risk species, such as raccoons, skunks, or foxes, consider getting the human pre-exposure vaccine.
5. If you are bitten or scratched or think that you have been exposed to rabies from a wild animal, wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and water, and contact your doctor or emergency clinic immediately.
6. If possible, without further injury or risk of exposure, capture, kill or confine the wild animal without damaging the head, and contact your local health department for additional information.
7. If your pet fights with a wild animal, attempt to secure the animal for rabies testing. Always wear gloves when handling your pet or treating its wounds under such circumstances. Notify your Local Animal Control Officer and contact the pet's veterinarian for advice and/or treatment.
8. Rabies virus is concentrated primarily in the saliva, brain, and spinal cord. Heat from thorough cooking will kill the rabies virus, making properly cooked meat from game animals safe. When preparing meat for cooking, wearing rubber gloves and cleaning up with soap and water is recommended.

Hunting and Trapping Guide Table of Contents

Content last updated on April 23, 2020.