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 furbearers;
  
• 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 furbearer;
  
• 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 furbearers.
  
• 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 Canadian Wildlife Directors, Competent Authorities for implementation of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) have approved a 2-phase process for implementing the AIHTS in Canada. The following lists show the two phases for regulating species-specific traps: (1) the certified traps currently regulated for specific species; (2) certified traps that are not regulated at this time.

Updated January 1, 2024. For the most current list, please see https://fur.ca/certified-traps/.

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 Sauvageau 2001-14 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 Duke Pro Series 850-OS 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

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 furbearing 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 furbearers other than bobcat, coyote, fox, lynx or wolf. Other furbearing 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 furbearing 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 furbearing 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 furbearing 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 furbearing animal, except as authorized by the Agricultural Pests Act;
  
• use sharp hooks or similar devices to capture furbearers; 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 furbearing 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.