General Regulations
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NOTICE TO TRAPPERS
Fish and Wildlife Officers frequently conduct vehicle checks to assist in the management of Alberta's fish and wildlife
resources and to ensure compliance with existing legislation.


A Code for Responsible Trapping

During trapping operations, trappers should:

  • show compassion for the animals they capture;
  • develop skills so that furs are properly prepared for market;
  • know and practice proper releasing and killing methods;
  • record all trap-set locations and captures of fur-bearers;
  • dispose of animal carcasses properly; and
  • report the presence of diseased animals to a district Fish & Wildlife office.

Trappers are encouraged to:

  • make sets that are designed to capture only the intended species of fur-bearer;
  • make only as many sets as they can manage effectively;
  • anchor traps or snares securely to hold the largest animal that they may catch; and
  • install a centre-mounted, swivelling, short chain (no longer than 30 cm, or 12 in, equipped with a shock absorber) for land
    foothold trap sets that are solidly anchored.

Humane Trapping

Fur-bearing animals must be trapped using methods that are proven to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering. The manner in which animals are trapped is a concern of many Albertans, including trappers. Those who follow the Code for Responsible Trapping will help to ensure that the harvest of this resource is done in a way that is socially acceptable.


Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards

The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) came into force in Canada on June 1, 1999. It is a binding agreement between the European Union (EU), Canada and Russia. The United States and the EU have signed a similar commitment, which unifies the North American wild fur market.

Canada signed the AIHTS only after careful consultation with trappers, provincial and territorial governments and fur industry representatives. Alberta has agreed to implement the AIHTS standards. Implementation is an ongoing process, and trappers will be kept informed of any new developments.

The AIHTS:

  • Allows for continuing export of wild fur products into the EU.
  • Commits all parties to applying the AIHTS standards to all trapping, including commercial use.
  • Supports further research and testing for the ongoing improvement of trapping devices.
  • Provides for other elements such as product certification, trap certification and trapper education.
  • Will allow for the use of jaw-type leg/foothold restraining traps in submersion sets for semi-aquatic fur-bearers.
  • Allows for the use of design-approved snares.
  • Allows for the use of traditional wooden dead-fall traps.
  • Prohibits the use of all jaw-type leg/foothold restraining traps (including padded traps) on land for badger, beaver, ermine, fisher, marten, muskrat and otter. Alberta adopted similar legislation for these species, and others before the AIHTS became effective.
  • Prohibits the use of conventional steel-jawed leghold restraining traps on land for bobcat, coyote, lynx, raccoon and wolf.

It should be noted that the adequacy of trapping devices must be properly tested. The Fur Institute of Canada (FIC) has taken the lead role in this regard. Killing and restraining traps that have undergone testing to meet AIHTS requirements and certification are outlined below and also listed on the FIC website: www.fur.ca.


Certified Traps - AIHTS Implementation

The following lists show the two phases for regulating species-specific traps: (1) the certified traps regulated for specific species; (2) certified traps that are not regulated at this time. The traps listed by name have all been certified by a governing competent authority as meeting the requirements of the AIHTS for specific species.

Updated January 1, 2023. For the most current list, please see https://fur.ca/certified-traps/.

PHASE 1. KILLING TRAPS - Certified Traps currently regulated for use per species:

KILLING TRAPS
Species Certified Traps Regulated For Use
Beaver Bélisle Classique 330
Bélisle Super X 280
Bélisle Super X 330
BMI 280 Body Gripper
BMI 330 Body Gripper
BMI BT 300
Bridger 330
Duke 280
Duke 330
LDL C280
LDL C280 Magnum
LDL C330
LDL C330 Magnum
Rudy 280
Rudy 330
Sauvageau 1000-11F
Sauvageau 2001-8
Sauvageau 2001-11
Sauvageau 2001-12
Species Specific 330 Dislocator Half Magnum
Species Specific 440 Dislocator Half Magnum
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 280
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 330
Canada Lynx and Bobcat
Bélisle Super X 280
Bélisle Super X 330
BMI 220 Body Gripper
BMI 220 Magnum Body Gripper
BMI 280 Body Gripper
BMI 280 Magnum Body Gripper
Bridger 220
Bridger 280 Mag. Body Gripper
Duke 280
LDL C220
LDL C220 Magnum
LDL C280 Magnum
LDL C330
LDL C330 Magnum
Rudy 330
Sauvageau 2001-8
Sauvageau 2001-11
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 330
Fisher Bélisle Super X 120
Bélisle Super X 160
Bélisle Super X 220
Koro #2
LDL C160 Magnum
LDL C220 Magnum
Rudy 120 Magnum
Rudy 160 Plus
Rudy 220 Plus
Sauvageau 2001-5
Sauvageau 2001-6
Sauvageau 2001-7
Sauvageau 2001-8
Marten Bélisle Super X 120
Bélisle Super X 160
BMI 126 Magnum Body Gripper
Koro #1
Koro #2
LDL B120 Magnum
LDL C160 Magnum
Northwoods 155
Oneida Victor 120-3 Magnum Stainless Steel
Rudy 120 Magnum
Rudy 160 Plus
Sauvageau C120 Magnum
Sauvageau 2001-5
Sauvageau 2001-6
Muskrat
(on land)
Bélisle Super X 110
Bélisle Super X 120
BMI 120 Body Gripper
BMI 120 Magnum Body Gripper
BMI 126 Magnum Body Gripper
Bridger 120
Bridger 120 Magnum Body Gripper
Bridger 155 Magnum Body Gripper
Duke 120
Koro Muskrat Trap
Koro Lrg Rodent Double Spring
LDL B120
LDL B120 Magnum
Oneida Victor 120 Stainless Steel
Oneida Victor 110-3 Stainless Steel
Oneida Victor 110-3 Magnum Stainless Steel
Oneida Victor 120-3 Stainless Steel
Oneida Victor 120-3 Magnum Stainless Steel
Ouell 411-180
Ouell RM
Rudy 110
Rudy 120
Rudy 120 Magnum
Sauvageau 2001-5
Sauvageau C120 Magnum
Sauvageau C120 "Reverse Bend"
Triple M
WCS SHORTY Tube Trap
WCS Tube Trap Int'l
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 110
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 120
Muskrat
(underwater)
Any jaw type trap (body gripping or leghold) set as a submersion set that exerts clamping force on a muskrat and that maintains a muskrat underwater.
Otter Bélisle Super X 220
Bélisle Super X 280
Bélisle Super X 330
LDL C220
LDL C220 Magnum
LDL C280 Magnum
Rudy 220 Plus
Rudy 280
Rudy 330
Sauvageau 2001-8
Sauvageau 2001-11
Sauvageau 2001-12
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 220
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 280
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 330
Racoon Bélisle Classique 220
Bélisle Super X 160
Bélisle Super X 220
Bélisle Super X 280
BMI 160 Body Gripper
BMI 220 Body Gripper
BMI 280 Body Gripper
BMI 280 Magnum Body Gripper
Bridger 160
Bridger 220
Bridger 280 Mag. Body Gripper
Duke 160
Duke 220
Koro #2
LDL C160
LDL C160 Magnum
LDL C220
LDL C220 Magnum
LDL C280 Magnum
Northwoods 155
Rudy 160
Rudy 160 Plus
Rudy 220
Rudy 220 Plus
Sauvageau 2001-6
Sauvageau 2001-7
Sauvageau 2001-8
Species Specific 220 Dislocator Half Magnum
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 160
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 220
Weasels Bélisle Super X 110
Bélisle Super X 120
BMI #60
BMI 120 Magnum Body Gripper
BMI 126 Magnum Body Gripper
Bridger 120
Bridger 120 Magnum Body Gripper
Bridger 155 Magnum Body Gripper
Koro Muskrat Trap
Koro Rodent Trap
Koro Lrg Rodent Double Spring
LDL B120 Magnum
Ouell 3-10
Ouell 411-180
Ouell RM
Rudy 120 Magnum
Sauvageau 2001-5
Sauvageau C120 Magnum
Sauvageau C120 Reverse Bend
Triple M
Victor Rat Trap
WCS SHORTY Tube Trap
WCS Tube Trap Int'l
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 110
Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 120

Phase 1 – RESTRAINING TRAPS - Certified Traps currently regulated for use per species:

RESTRAINING TRAPS
Species Certified Traps Regulated For Use
Beaver (Cages) Breathe Easy Live Beaver Trap
Comstock 12 X 18 X 39 Swim Through Beaver Cage
Dam Beaver Live Beaver Trap
Ezee Set Live Beaver Trap
Hancock Live Beaver Trap
Koro "Klam" Live Beaver Trap
Bobcat Bélisle Footsnare #6
Bélisle Sélectif
Oneida Victor #1.5 Soft Catch equipped with 4 coil springs
Oneida Victor #1.75, Offset, Laminated Jaws equipped with 2 coil springs
Oneida Victor #3 Soft Catch equipped with 2 coil springs
Oneida Victor #3 Soft Catch equipped with 4 coil springs

Oneida Victor #3, equipped with 3/16-inch offset, double rounded steel jaw laminations (3/16-inch on topside of jaws and 1/4-inch on underside of jaws) with 2 coil springs
Canada Lynx Bélisle Footsnare #6
Bélisle Sélectif
Oneida Victor #3 Soft Catch equipped with 2 coil springs
Oneida Victor #3 Soft Catch equipped with 4 coil springs

Oneida Victor #3 equipped with 8mm thick, non-offset steel jaws, 4 coil springs and an anchoring swivel centre mounted on a base plate
Wolf Bélisle Footsnare #8
BFV Beer No. 1 PLUS
Bridger Alaskan #5 Offset and Laminated Jaws
Bridger Alaskan #5 Rubber Jaws
Bridger Brawn #9 Rubber Jaws
LAY 76 Laminated
Livestock Protection EZ Grip No.7
MB 750 Alaskan OS (3/8")
Muskwa No. 9 Laminated Offset

Oneida Victor #3 Soft Catch equipped with 4 coil springs,
a minimum 8mm thick base plate and an anchoring swivel
centre mounted on the base plate.

Rudy Red Wolf 4 1/2
X TREME Wolf

Phase 2. YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION TO BE DETERMINED

RESTRAINING TRAPS - Traps certified per species but not yet mandatory:
Species Traps Certified But Not Yet Mandatory
Coyote Bélisle Footsnare #6
Bélisle Sélectif

Bridger #3 equipped with 5/16-inch offset, doubled rounded steel jaw laminations (3/16-inch on topside of jaw and 1/4-inch on underside of jaw), with 4 coil springs and an anchoring swivel centre mounted on base plate.

Duke No. 3 Rubber Jaws with an anchoring swivel, centre mounted on the base plate

MB 550 Rubber Jaws equipped with 4 coil springs

Oneida Victor #1.5 Soft Catch equipped with 2 coil springs
Oneida Victor #1.5 Soft Catch equipped with 4 coil springs

Oneida Victor #1.75 equipped with 3/16-inch offset, double rounded steel jaw laminations (3/16-inch on topside of jaw and 1/4 inch on underside of jaws), with 4 coil springs

Oneida Victor #3 Soft Catch equipped with 2 coil springs
Oneida Victor #3 Soft Catch equipped with 4 coil springs

Oneida Victor #3 equipped with 3/16-inch offset, double rounded steel jaw laminations (3/16-inch on topside of jaw and 1/4-inch on underside of jaws), with 2 coil springs

Oneida Victor #3 equipped with 3/16-inch offset, double rounded steel jaw laminations (3/16-inch on topside of jaw and 1/4-inch on underside of jaws), and with 4 coil springs
Racoon
Cage and Box Traps
Havahart Cage Trap 1079
Havahart Cage Trap 1081
Havahart Cage Trap 1085
Ramconct Dura-Poly Box Trap
Tomahawk Cage Trap 108
Tomahawk Cage Trap 108.1
Tomahawk Cage Trap 108.5
Tomahawk Cage Trap 108F
Tomahawk Cage Trap 108SS
Tomahawk Cage Trap 108.2SS
Tomahawk Cage Trap 1010
Tomahawk Cage Trap 1010F
Tomahawk Cage Trap 1010SS
Tomahawk Cage Trap 1010SS-F
Tomahawk Cage Trap 608
Tomahawk Cage Trap 608.1
Tomahawk Cage Trap 608.5
Tomahawk Cage Trap 608F
Tomahawk Cage Trap 608 SS
Tomahawk Cage Trap 608.2SS
Tomahawk Cage Trap 6010
Tomahawk Cage Trap 6010F
Tomahawk Cage Trap 6010SS


Regulatory Requirements for the Use of Trapping Devices

  • Foothold traps with toothed jaws or an inside jaw-spread of 23 cm (9 in.) or more may not be used to trap fur-bearing animals.
  • Foothold traps that are not set as killing devices may not be used in trees or on poles.
  • Foothold traps, that are not set as killing devices, may not be used to harvest fur-bearers other than bobcat, coyote, fox, lynx or wolf. Other fur-bearing species must be taken in a killing device or in a live-trap set to capture the animal by holding it in a container (see above).
  • Foothold traps that may be used for trapping bobcat, coyote, fox, lynx or wolf include traps manufactured or modified to have one or more of the following features: (i) Laminated jaws – 2 steel parallel jaws that are at least 8 mm thick,
    (ii) Offset jaws – jaws that do not touch over their full length when closed on each other, or
    (iii) Padded jaws – jaws designed or modified to prevent any metallic surface from contacting the animal.
  • Traps that are not killing devices must be checked at least once every 48 hours if set under the authority of a Registered Fur Management Licence, or at least once every 24 hours if set under the authority of a Resident Fur Management Licence.
  • Snare devices, including neck snares, power snares and foot snares, may only be set for the taking of fur-bearing animals under the authority of a Registered Fur Management Licence or
    — by holders of Resident Fur Management Licences for bobcat, coyote, fox, squirrel or wolf (provided they meet the requirements listed in this section) and for beaver (provided the snare loop is completely under water).
    — by residents for rabbit or hare on lands to which they have right-of-access (provided the snare wire is not larger than 20-gauge and the snare loop is not more than 13 cm (5 in.) in diameter).
  • Slide-wire sets must be equipped with a lock. The slide-wires and weight must be properly anchored, and set in water that is deep enough to ensure that the largest animal that may be captured will be totally submerged.
  • Neck snares must be equipped with a locking device that is designed and set to prevent the snare loop from loosening again after it has tightened on the neck of the fur-bearing animal, except when made of a single strand of wire, set to capture squirrel, rabbit or hare.

It should be noted that raccoon and skunk are classed as non-licence animals and may be hunted or trapped (see Control of Problem Wildlife). Scroll down for information on traps meeting requirements of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards for raccoon.

Additional Regulations

No one may remove, damage, spring or in any way interfere with traps set by another person for the taking of fur-bearing animals. (Exception: Holders of Registered Fur Management Licences may remove traps or snares found within the limits of their trapping areas if they are set unlawfully. Any such removal must be reported immediately to a Alberta Forestry and Parks.

It is unlawful to:

  • use traps that do not meet the requirements of the AIHTS,
  • use a poison or drug for taking a fur-bearing animal, except as authorized by the Agricultural Pests Act;
  • use sharp hooks or similar devices to capture fur-bearers; or
  • trap in a wildlife sanctuary. Please refer to the map for locations of these sanctuaries. Some exceptions exist for Registered Fur Management Areas – RFMAs, (For further information, contact the nearest Fish & Wildlife District Office);
  • harvest fur-bearing animals within 100 metres of Highway 1A in WMU 410, except with the use of traps.
  • carry a weapon on an OHV between 1 hour before sunrise and the following noon during an open season for big game* on public land in the following WMUs: 400-446. This does not apply to a person who is traveling on a direct route to or from a location accessible by vehicles designed for highway travel and his or her isolated campsite, and the weapons and ammunition are carried out of view in separate locked containers (and remain locked during the trip). This prohibition does not apply to persons hunting on privately owned lands, and it does not apply to those trapping under the authority of a Registered Fur Management Licence or a Resident Fur Management Licence.

Natural Areas and Ecological Reserves

In Alberta, special parcels of public land, such as natural areas and ecological reserves, have been set aside for conservation purposes. Trapping is prohibited within ecological reserves. For information about ecological reserves and natural areas, contact Parks Operations Division, Forestry and Parks in Edmonton at 780-427-3582 (toll-free 1-866-427-3582).


Fur Handlers

A person may skin and prepare another person’s furs for market, provided the handler maintains on premises records for inspection purposes. These records no longer have to be submitted to the Fish and Wildlife Policy Branch. If you have specific questions contact a Fish & Wildlife District Office.

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