Trapping in B.C.

In British Columbia, trappers actively manage 17 types of furbearing animals by following provincial standards, legislation and regulations. 

On this page

• Trapping regulations
• Reducing fisher bycatch
• Fur royalty regulations and schedule
• Trapping compulsory reporting and inspection
• Use of road-kill wildlife by trappers

Trapping regulations

The regulation of trapping in B.C. falls under the Wildlife Act and its associated Wildlife Act Commercial Activities Regulation. This includes:

• The licensing of trappers and fur traders
• Management of furbearing animals
• Regulation of trapping methods and traps
• Reporting and inspection
• The collection of fur royalties

The current Trapping Regulations (PDF, 267KB) are in effect from 2024 to 2026. Corrections will be published in the online version of the regulations and details will be provided on Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis Corrections and Updates.

The Fur Management Program includes the:

• BC Trappers Association's Trapper Education Program courses for new and experienced trappers
• Furbearer Management Guidelines. These guidelines outline the role that trappers can play in the wise management of furbearing species

Reducing fisher bycatch

The Columbian population of fishers in B.C.’s Central Interior is endangered and at risk of being lost. Although fisher trapping seasons have been closed across the range of Columbian population, fishers may still be incidentally killed in traps set for other species. The Practices to help reduce incidentally trapping fishers (PDF, 102KB) document provides information on the measures trappers operating within Columbian fisher habitats can take to help reduce the bycatch of fishers.

Fisher exclusion box

Trappers are encouraged to use a fisher exclusion box when marten trapping in areas where there is a chance of incidentally trapping fishers.

The fisher exclusion box is an elongated marten cubby fitted with a faceplate that is sized to prevent fishers from getting in and becoming bycatch. The Fisher exclusion box information (PDF, 3.8MB) document provides additional information on the exclusion box, how it works and how you can build your own exclusion boxes to support fisher conservation.

Fisher observation survey

Trappers and members of the public are asked to voluntarily complete the fisher observation survey when they see fishers and/or evidence of fisher presence (for example tracks or scat). These fisher observation records will help inform where fishers are located, especially in areas where trappers are using fisher exclusion boxes. Please include a photo, as this allows fisher records to be verified so that they can be included in provincial fisher distribution maps.

Access the fisher observation survey

Fur royalty regulations and schedule

Royalties must be paid by a person to keep the pelt or skin of a furbearing animal (not raised in captivity) lawfully taken under their trapping licence, unless that person sells the pelt or skin to a licensed fur trader.

Schedule of Royalties

The following amounts are to be paid per pelt or skin. Royalties are determined as 3% of the average price paid at auction in Canada for the pelt or skin of the particular species during the preceding three years, as determined by the director responsible for the wildlife program.

Trapping compulsory reporting and inspection

For more information and instructions, visit trapping compulsory reporting and inspection.

Use of road-kill wildlife by trappers

Trappers with valid trapping licences, valid trapping permits, or persons exempted from holding licences or permits to trap furbearing animals are able to pick up certain species of wildlife that have died as a result of collisions with motor vehicles and to use the carcasses as bait for traps set under the authority of their trapping licence, permit, or exemption.

Trappers may pick up and transport any dead mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, black bear, or any wildlife listed in Schedules B or C (see the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for current schedules) if:

• The wildlife has died as a result of colliding with a motor vehicle, other than a motor vehicle operated by the trapper
• The meat of the wildlife is unfit for human consumption
• The carcass of the wildlife is to be used only:
  • By the trapper, and
  • As bait for traps set under the authority of the trapper’s licence or licence exemption, and
• At the time of possession and transportation, the trapper has, on his or her person, the trapper’s current trapping licence or proof of the trapper’s licence exemption

Trappers that pick up road-kill wildlife for use as bait must, within 30 days of picking up the road kill, complete a Trapper Road Kill Possession Report Form (PDF, 125KB) and submit it to the address shown on the form. This document contains reference to previous ministers or ministries responsible for wildlife at the time of publication. Periodic transfer of authority for natural resource management may not be reflected in this document.

Trappers must maintain a copy of every completed Trapper Road Kill Report Form for at least 2 years after the date of pick up of the road kill described on the form.