Trapping License Requirements by State 2026 | WildNotch.com
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Trapping Licenses by State —
All 50 States 2026

Complete trapping license requirements, species regulations, trap check hours, pelt reporting rules, and fees for all 50 US states. Legal trapping requires a state-issued license in every state.

All 50 States Covered Trap Check Requirements Species & Permit Rules
50States w/ Data
$18Avg Resident Fee
48States w/ Check Hours
Resident & nonresident fees
Trap check hour rules
Species allowed & permits
Pelt reporting requirements
Bobcat & otter permit notes
Why Get Licensed?

Why Regulated Trapping Matters

Conservation
Licensed trapping programs maintain sustainable furbearer populations. Bag limits, season dates, and species restrictions ensure that trapping does not deplete wildlife — unlike unregulated harvest, licensed trapping is tied to annual population surveys.
Wildlife Management
Trappers serve as citizen scientists. Pelt reporting requirements, trap check logs, and mandatory education create a data pipeline that wildlife biologists rely on to track furbearer health, disease spread (particularly rabies and distemper), and range changes.
Economic Value
The North American fur trade is a centuries-old industry. Wild-caught pelts from licensed trappers — mink, beaver, marten, bobcat, and fox — command real market value at fur auction houses. License fees fund the programs that make sustainable harvest possible.
Pest Control
Beaver flooding, coyote predation on livestock, and muskrat dam damage create real economic losses for farmers and landowners. Regulated trapping — including coyote control permitted year-round in many states — provides an effective, professionally managed solution.
Bobcat Permits & CITES

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) is listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning international export of bobcat pelts requires a permit issued by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Many states also require a separate bobcat permit in addition to a general trapping license. Otter is similarly regulated in several states. Always verify your state's bobcat and otter rules before setting traps for these species — violations can result in federal felony charges under the Lacey Act.

Filter by region:
50 states
50 states shown
AL
Alabama
Resident $9.00
Separate License 36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
AK
Alaska
Resident $14.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
AZ
Arizona
Resident $20.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
AR
Arkansas
Resident $15.00
Separate License 36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
CA
California
Resident $31.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
CO
Colorado
Resident $35.96
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
CT
Connecticut
Resident $19.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
DE
Delaware
Resident $7.50
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
FL
Florida
Resident $30.00
24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
GA
Georgia
Resident $5.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
HI
Hawaii
See state details
Trapping requirements
ID
Idaho
Resident $15.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
IL
Illinois
Resident $6.75
24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
IN
Indiana
Resident $13.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
IA
Iowa
Resident $18.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
KS
Kansas
Resident $7.50
Separate License 36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
KY
Kentucky
Resident $15.00
24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
LA
Louisiana
Resident $25.00
24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
ME
Maine
Resident $26.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
MD
Maryland
Resident $10.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
MA
Massachusetts
Resident $27.50
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
MI
Michigan
Resident $15.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
MN
Minnesota
Resident $25.75
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
MS
Mississippi
Resident $4.00
36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
MO
Missouri
Resident $16.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
MT
Montana
Resident $15.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
NE
Nebraska
Resident $28.00
Separate License 36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
NV
Nevada
Resident $30.00
Separate License 96h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
NH
New Hampshire
Resident $15.50
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
NJ
New Jersey
Resident $27.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
NM
New Mexico
Resident $17.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
NY
New York
Resident $22.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
NC
North Carolina
Resident $15.00
Separate License 36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
ND
North Dakota
Resident $8.00
Separate License 36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
OH
Ohio
Resident $15.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
OK
Oklahoma
Resident $12.00
Separate License 36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
OR
Oregon
Resident $27.50
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
PA
Pennsylvania
Resident $13.97
Separate License 36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
RI
Rhode Island
Resident $18.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
SC
South Carolina
Resident $12.50
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
SD
South Dakota
Resident $10.00
Separate License 36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
TN
Tennessee
Resident $16.00
Separate License 36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
TX
Texas
Resident $23.00
Separate License
Trapping requirements Species & permits
UT
Utah
Resident $30.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
VT
Vermont
Resident $28.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
VA
Virginia
Resident $22.50
Separate License 36h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
WA
Washington
Resident $31.90
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
WV
West Virginia
Resident $10.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
WI
Wisconsin
Resident $18.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
WY
Wyoming
Resident $16.00
Separate License 24h Check
Trapping requirements Species & permits
FAQ

Common Trapping License Questions

Yes, in almost every state. A trapping license is required to trap furbearers regardless of whether you own the land. The license covers the species and season, not the property. A handful of states have narrow exemptions for landowners trapping nuisance species on their own property — check your state rules. Commercial trapping always requires a license.
Trap check requirements mandate that trappers physically visit and check each trap within a set number of hours — typically 24 or 36 hours. The purpose is to minimize animal suffering, prevent non-target catches from dying, and allow for humane dispatch or release. Many states have exceptions for night sets or remote public lands. Failure to check traps is a violation that can result in license revocation.
A licensed trapper can generally sell their own legally taken pelts directly to a licensed fur buyer or at a fur auction. You typically do not need a fur buyer license to sell pelts you personally trapped. However, if you purchase raw furs from other trappers for resale, a fur buyer or fur dealer license is required in most states.
Bobcat (Lynx rufus) and North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) are both listed under CITES Appendix II. Commercially selling bobcat or otter pelts for export requires a CITES export permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in addition to any state permit. Many states also require a separate bobcat harvest permit, a quota tag, or mandatory pelt reporting. Check your state page for specific rules.
Mandatory trapper education is less common than hunter education, but some states do require a trapper education course for first-time licensees. States like Montana and Wisconsin offer voluntary or required trapping education programs. Even where not mandated, completing a trapping education course is strongly recommended — it covers trap selection, humane dispatch, pelt preparation, and state regulations.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates the export of listed species. Bobcat, otter, wolf, and certain other North American furbearers require CITES export permits when pelts cross international borders for commercial purposes. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issues these permits. Violations of CITES can result in felony charges under the Lacey Act, with fines up to $50,000 and imprisonment.