Trapping License
Florida Trapping
License 2026
Complete guide to trapping licenses in Florida — resident and nonresident fees, trap check hours, regulated species, pelt reporting requirements, and bobcat or otter permit rules. Florida requires a trapping license for regulated furbearers. Primary trapping targets are raccoon, opossum, otter, beaver, and nutria. Bobcat is the most commercially valuable furbearer. Nutria are invasive and trapping is unrestricted.
24-Hour Trap Check
2026 Trapping License Quick Facts
Verified 2026
Resident Fee
$30.00
Annual license
Nonresident Fee
$140.00
Annual license
Trap Check
24h
Max hours between checks
Junior Fee
—
See agency for youth rates
License Details
Florida Trapping License Requirements
Florida requires a valid trapping license to trap furbearing animals. Review all requirements before setting traps.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Resident Fee | $30.00 |
| Nonresident Fee | $140.00 |
| Separate From Hunting License | No — bundled or not required |
| Trapper Education Required | Not required |
| Trap Check Requirement | Every 24 hours |
| Trap Tagging Required | Yes — name & address required |
| Pelt Reporting Required | Not required |
| Bobcat Permit Required | Not required |
| Otter Permit Required | Not required |
| Coyote Trapping | Year-round allowed |
| Trap Type Restrictions | No specific jaw spread restrictions statewide. All traps must be tagged. Live traps allowed year-round for nuisance wildlife. |
Regulated Species
Trappable Species in Florida
The following furbearing species may be legally trapped in Florida with the appropriate license and during open seasons. Some species may require additional permits.
Season & Limits
Florida Trapping Season Dates & Bag Limits
Season Dates
otter: Dec 1 - Mar 1
beaver: Nov 1 - Mar 1
bobcat: Dec 1 - Mar 31
Bag Limits
otter: check current limits
bobcat: check current limits
Public Land Trapping
Trapping on Public Land in Florida
Trapping allowed on Florida WMAs and state forests during designated trapping seasons. National forests in Florida allow trapping under USFS regulations.
Important Notes
Florida-Specific Trapping Rules
Florida lacks traditional northern furbearers like mink, marten, and commercial mink populations. The main commercial species is bobcat. Nutria are invasive in Florida and may be trapped without restrictions. The swamp and wetland habitats support otter populations across the state.
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com).
Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current fees, seasons, and permit requirements directly with the agency before trapping.