2024 trapping seasons open around Wisconsin

The first trapping seasons of the fall opened this past Saturday, Oct. 19.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds trappers to prepare for the opening of many furbearer trapping seasons across the state. 

Wisconsin is home to many furbearer species, and the state’s highly regulated trapping seasons play an important role in the DNR’s efforts to sustainably manage those populations.

Additional seasons for other species and zones will continue to open throughout the fall. 

The DNR encourages trappers to double-check season dates, trapping regulations, and ensure they have all required licenses before heading out.

Trapping season dates include the following:

Bobcat

• North and South zones, Period 1, Oct. 19 - Dec. 25. 

• North and South zones, Period 2, Dec. 26 - Jan. 31, 2025

Fisher 

• North and South zones, Oct. 19 - Jan. 31, 2025

Otter

• North zone, Nov. 2 - April 30, 2025 

• South zone, Nov. 2 - March 31, 2025

Coyote

• Trapping, Oct. 19 - Feb. 15, 2025 

• Hunting is year-round

Fox

• Trapping and hunting, Oct. 19 - Feb. 15, 2025

Beaver

• Zones A and B (northwest and northeast), Nov. 2 - April 30, 2025

• Zone C (south), Nov. 2 - March 31, 2025

• Zone D (Mississippi River), Dec. 2 - March 15, 2025

Mink and Muskrat

• Northern Zone, Oct. 19 - April 15, 2025 

• Central Zone, Oct. 26 - March 22, 2025 

• Southern Zone, Nov. 2 - March 15, 2025 

• Mississippi River Zone, Nov. 11 - March 9, 2025

Raccoon

• Resident, Oct. 19 - Feb. 15, 2025

• Non-Resident, Nov. 2 - Feb. 15, 2025

There are no season limits, size limits or possession limits, but a license is required for opossums, skunks, weasels, porcupines, snowshoe hares and woodchucks.

During these periods, other outdoor recreators should be aware that traps may be present on public lands. To minimize the chance of encountering a trap, recreators should stay on designated trails and keep pets leashed.

Modern trapping practices are based on thorough evaluations of commercially available traps and common trapping methods, commonly known as Best Management Practices. These evaluations include comprehensive animal welfare, selectivity, practicality and safety metrics.

All first-time trappers must complete an approved trapper education course unless trapping under the youth-supervised option, mentored trapping program, or other exemptions. These courses, taught by experienced trappers, cover basic trapping skills, regulations, safety and trapper ethics.

For those just starting out, the DNR offers programs for beginners, such as the Women’s Trap Camp and the Youth Trap Camp, enabling new trappers to learn in a safe and supportive atmosphere.

As a reminder, trapping seasons in a particular zone may close before the listed closing date if the harvest quota for a specific species is reached.

Trappers can visit the DNR’s Trapping webpage for zone status updates and more information about trapping in Wisconsin at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Trap.