Effective from Oct 1, 2006 - Mar 31, 2009 Download the 2006-2009 Furbearer Trapping Seasons and Rules PDF Format (934K) Online Trapping Report Form Application for Permit to Trap for Animal Problem This pamphlet is a summary of the trapping seasons and regulations (Chapters 232-12, 232-16 and 232-28 of the Washington Administrative Code) adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. This pamphlet does not contain nor is it intended to contain all department regulations. Regulations specific to the trapping seasons described in this pamphlet are found in Sections 232-12-024, 232-12-141 and 232-28-515 of the Washington Administrative Code. Caution: Emergency regulation changes may occur while seasons described in this pamphlet are in effect and will supersede information contained herein. Area news media will be informed.

Furbearer Trapping Seasons and Rules 2006 - 2009 Trapping Seasons Species 2006-2007 Trapping Seasons 2007-2008 Trapping Seasons 2008-2009 Trapping Seasons Opening Date Closing Date Opening Date Closing Date Opening Date Closing Date Beaver, River Otter (see bag limit below)a, Red Fox, Weasel, Marten, Mink, Muskrat, Raccoon, Badgerb Nov. 1, 2006 Mar. 31, 2007 Nov. 1, 2007 Mar. 31, 2008 Nov. 1, 2008 Mar. 31, 2009 Bobcat Nov. 18, 2006 Feb. 28, 2007 Nov. 17, 2007 Feb. 28, 2008 Nov. 15, 2008 Feb. 28, 2009 a Season bag limit in all of eastern WA is 6 river otter; River otter trapping season is closed in eastern Washington, except Chelan, Ferry, Klickitat, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Yakima counties, as well as in the Snake and Walla Walla river drainages. b Badger season is closed in western Washington. Annual License Fees Resident Trapping License $36.00 Non-Resident Trapping License $180.00 Resident Youth Trapping License $15.00 Fur Dealer’s License $180.00 Trapping and Fur Dealer's licenses are available only at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Olympia headquarters office (in person or by mail). New trappers in Washington must pass the trapper education exam to be issued their first license. A trapping license is valid from April 1 to March 31 of the next year. Trappers Report of Catch – Important changes! All licensed trappers must report their trapping activity (regardless of success or whether they trapped or not) by April 10. Reports must be made using the department’s Trapper’s Report of Catch form or online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/trapper_report/. If a trapper chooses to report using the Trapper’s Report of Catch form, it is the responsibility of the licensed trapper to ensure the form is received (postmarked by April 10) by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501- 1091. Any trapper not reporting by April 10 will be in noncompliance of reporting requirements. False reports will be considered the same as noncompliance. Failure to report trapping activity is an infraction, punishable under RCW 77.15.160. Noncompliant trappers who have paid their penalty under RCW 77.15.160 and WAC 232-12-134 must report their trapping activity prior to being issued a trapping license. Trapping Regulations The trapping season authorizes taking of furbearing animals for their hides and pelts only. Furbearers may not be taken from the wild and held alive for sale or personal use without a special permit pursuant to WAC 232-12-064. Any wildlife trapped for which the season is not open shall be released unharmed. Any wildlife that cannot be released unharmed must be left in the trap, and a WDFW representative must be notified immediately. Lawfully trapped wild animals must be lethally dispatched or immediately released. A firearm may be used to dispatch trapped animals. IDENTIFICATION OF TRAPS AND DISCLOSURE OF IDENTITIES Trappers shall attach to the chain of their traps or devices a legible metal tag with either the WDFW identification number of the trapper or the name and address of the trapper in English letters not less than one-eighth inch in height. When a property owner, lessee, or tenant presents a trapper identification number to the WDFW and requests the identification of the trapper, the WDFW shall provide the requestor with the name and address of the trapper. Prior to disclosure of the trapper’s name and address, WDFW shall obtain the name and address of the requesting individual in writing and after disclosing the trapper’s name and address to the requesting individual, the requesting individual’s name and address shall be disclosed in writing to the trapper whose name and address was disclosed. It is recommended that all land-based trapping areas be identified by the red diamond sign developed by the Washington State Trappers Association. These signs are available from the Trappers Association and from the Department of Fish and Wildlife's Olympia headquarters and all regional offices listed. Posted signs must be removed immediately after the close of trapping seasons. TRAP CHECK TIME Animals must be removed from non-lethal restraining traps (e.g., cage traps) within 24 hours of capture. Non-body gripping kill traps must be checked within 72 hours. SEALING REQUIREMENTS FOR BOBCAT AND RIVER OTTER It is unlawful to possess or export from the state of Washington bobcat or river otter pelts taken in Washington without a department identification seal attached. Bobcat and river otter pelts, on or off the carcass, must be sealed within 20 days after the close of the appropriate hunting or trapping seasons in which they were harvested. All bobcat and river otter pelts must be presented by the person harvesting them to an authorized Department employee or department office for sealing. Pelts must be presented in a way that the hide can be sealed. No frozen hides or carcasses will be accepted. To make sure office personnel are available for pelt sealing, hunters and trappers should contact a department office prior to bringing in a bobcat or river otter. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO: Trap for wild animals with body-gripping traps EXCEPT by permit to abate an animal problem under WAC 232-12-142. This includes, but not limited to, padded foothold traps, unpadded foot-hold traps, all snares, and conibear type traps. Trap for wild animals unless non-body gripping kill traps are checked and animals removed within 72 hours. Trap for wild animals unless animals captured in restraining traps (any nonkilling set) are removed within 24 hours of capture. Trap for wild animals with a neck or body snare attached to a spring pole or any spring pole type of device. Trap for wild animals using game birds, game fish, or game animals for bait, except nonedible parts of game birds, game fish, or game animals may be used as bait. Trap for wild animals within thirty feet of any exposed meat bait or nonedible game parts which are visible to flying raptors. Trap for wild animals before October 1, and after March 31, in western Washington; EXCEPT unclassified wild animals (e.g., coyote, opossum, nutria, and skunks) causing damage or predation on private property may be trapped at any time by the owner or person legally controlling said property. Place traps prior to 7 a.m. on opening day of trapping season. Take a wild animal from another person’s trap without permission, or to spring, pull up, damage, possess or destroy the trap; however, it is not unlawful for a person to remove a trap placed on property owned, leased, or rented by the person. SPECIAL COYOTE REGULATIONS A hunting or trapping license is required to take coyote. Coyote may be trapped in western Washington from October 1 to March 31, and may be taken in eastern Washington year-round; EXCEPT no coyote may be taken from September 15 to November 30 in the following areas: Pasayten Wilderness, GMUs 426 and 450, and those portions of GMUs 218, 245, and 448 within exterior boundaries of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, and Wenatchee National Forests. TRAPPER EDUCATION People buying a Washington State Trapping License for the first time must pass an exam in safe, humane, and proper trapper techniques. For information on trapper education materials contact the Hunter Education section of the WDFW office in Olympia at (360) 902-8111. TRAPPER'S LICENSE AND PERMISSION TO TRAP ON PRIVATE LAND A state trapping license allows the holder to trap furbearing animals throughout the state; however, a trapper may not place traps on private property without permission of the owner, lessee or tenant where the land is improved and apparently used, or where the land is fenced or enclosed in a manner designed to exclude intruders or to indicate a property boundary line, or where notice is given by posting in a conspicuous manner. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION All lands within national parks and monuments and federal lands within Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas are closed to trapping. In addition, city and state parks are closed to trapping. As an aid to prevent theft of traps, any licensed trapper in the state of Washington may obtain a registered permanent identification number for their traps. This number is to be permanently stamped or affixed to all traps. A licensed trapper may apply for this identification number from the WDFW License Division in Olympia in person or by calling (360) 902-2464, or by including a request with the license application. Trapping Season Exceptions GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT 522 (Loowit).—Game Management Unit 522 in Cowlitz and Skamania counties is CLOSED to all trapping. ISLAND COUNTY.—Red fox season is CLOSED. LEWIS COUNTY.—Green River drainage, above and including Miners Cr. drainage, is CLOSED to trapping except for bobcat and coyote. SKAGIT AND WHATCOM COUNTIES.—Ross Lake National Recreation Area is CLOSED to all trapping. Red fox season is CLOSED except within the boundaries of Mount Baker- Snoqualmie and Okanogan National Forests. SKAMANIA COUNTY.—The following areas are CLOSED to all trapping, except for bobcat and coyote: Muddy River drainage, above and including Bean Cr. drainage; Pine Cr. drainage above USFS Road 83; and Green River drainage, above and including Miners Cr. Drainage CHELAN COUNTY.—Beaver season is CLOSED in Swakane and Mudd Creek drainages. COLUMBIA COUNTY.—Trapping is not allowed on the Umatilla Tribes Rainwater Wildlife Area, as per their management plan. KITTITAS COUNTY.—Beaver season is CLOSED in the following drainages: north fork of Tarpiscan Cr. and Umtanum Cr. THURSTON COUNTY.— Coyote, opossum, nutria, skunk, and classified furbearing animals is CLOSED to the use of body-gripping or kill traps (except by permit under WAC 232-12-142) within established city limits (including islands) of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater. SNOHOMISH, KING, PIERCE COUNTIES.—Coyote, opossum, nutria, skunk, and classified furbearing animals is CLOSED to the use of body-gripping or kill traps (except by permit under WAC 232-12-142) beginning at the confluence of Snohomish River and Puget Sound; east up Snohomish River to I-5; south on I-5 to I-405; south on I-405 to I-5; south on I-5 to Pioneer Way; east on Pioneer Way to Waller Rd.; south on Waller Rd. to SR 512; west on SR 512 to Hwy 7; south on Hwy 7 and Hwy 507 to Pierce Co. line; north on Pierce Co. line to Puget Sound; north along coast to mouth of Snohomish River and point of beginning. TRIBAL LANDS.—Check with appropriate tribal authorities before entering Tribal lands. There are tribal rules pertaining to non-Tribal activity upon these lands for the purpose of hunting, trapping, and fishing. When hunting, trapping, or fishing within the boundaries of the Colville Indian Reservation, you should contact the office of the Colville Confederated Tribes, Director of Fish and Wildlife Department at (509) 634-4711 to determine tribal permits and regulations applicable to such activities. When hunting or fishing within the Yakama Indian Reservation you should contact the office of the Yakama Indian Nation at (509) 865-5121, Ext. 666. Definitions EASTERN WASHINGTON.—Includes all areas lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat and Skamania counties. WESTERN WASHINGTON.—All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of (and including) the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat and Skamania counties