ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

Hunt Planner

Announcements

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Trapping

    Furbearer Trapping Credentials

    To trap furbearers, residents and non-residents will need an appropriate trapping license and habitat stamp. Exemptions to these requirements are specified in the table below.

    Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Credentials     
    License/StampsResidentNon-ResidentOnlineVendorsSpecifications
    Trapping$10.00XXFirst-time trappers born on or after Jan. 1, 1998 are required to complete a trapper education course before purchasing a license. Residents with at least 39.5 acres do not need a license to trap on their land.
    Youth Hunting and Trapping$7.00XXAny hunter/trapper under 18 years of age may purchase this license. Hunters/trappers with this license must be supervised by an adult who is 21 years of age or older and has the appropriate Illinois hunting or trapping license. The youth hunter shall not hunt or trap or carry a hunting device, unless the youth is accompanied by and under close personal supervision of that adult.
    Trapping
    (with state reciprocity)    		$175.00XXReciprocity means your state of residence allows Illinois residents to trap.
    Trapping
    (without state reciprocity)    		$250.00XXSee reciprocity specification above.
    State Habitat Stamp$5.00$5.00XX

    Trapping Dates & Limits

    SPECIESDATESLIMITADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
    Coyote10 Nov 2023 - 15 Feb 2024No limit
    Raccoon
    Opossum
    Striped Skunk
    Weasels
    Mink
    Muskrat
    Fox
    (Red and Gray)
    Badger10 Nov 2023 - 15 Feb 2024North Zone: 2 per person per seasonSee zone map for boundary
    10 Nov 2023 - 15 Feb 2024South Zone: 1 per person per seasonSee zone map for boundary
    Bobcat10 Nov 2023 - 15 Feb 20241 by permit onlyMust possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit BEFORE attempting to harvest a bobcat. Must purchase Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours of taking a bobcat. Taking bobcats in closed zone is prohibited
    Beaver10 Nov 2023 - 31 Mar 2024No limit
    River Otter10 Nov 2023 - 31 Mar 20245 per person per seasonMust purchase Otter Registration Permit within 48 hours after each otter is trapped. Must affix official CITES tag to each pelt
    Woodchuck1 Jun - 30 Sep 2023No limit

    Trapping Regulations

    • Statewide Trap specifications (diameter measured from inside edge of jaws or cable)
      • Leghold set on land must have jaw spread of 6.5 inches or less
      • Leghold set in water must have jaw spread of 7.5 inches or less
      • Body-gripping trap on land must have jaw spread of 7 inches or less on a side if square or 8 inches if round
      • Body-gripping trap in water must have jaw spread of 10 inches or less on a side if square or 12 inches if round. Traps greater than 10 inches must be completely submerged in water when set on IDNR sites
      • Snares must be 15 inches or less in diameter when set and be constructed of cable between 5/64 to 1/8 inch diameter and equipped with a mechanical lock, anchor swivel and stop device that prevents the snare loop from closing less than 2.5 inches in diameter. At least half the snare be must submerged in water at all times
    • If trapping beaver or river otter, see those sections above for specific trap sizes for those species
    • Must mark or tag all traps with the name and address or IDNR customer number of the trap owner
    • Traps must be checked and animals removed at least once per day
    • Saw-toothed, spiked or toothed jaw traps are illegal
    • Can use a .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearm to dispatch animals from traps on IDNR sites, unless site-specific regulations state otherwise
    • No trapping is permitted in IDNR site subimpoundments or designated waterfowl management units during duck season
    • Other regulations apply. See the Furbearer section of the Statewide Hunting and Trapping Regulations
    • Pertinent Administrative Rules: 510, 550, 570, 970, 525

    Trapping Videos

    ​​​Below are just a few Illinois Department of Natural Resources Furbearer Hunting and Trapping Videos. There are many more IDNR videos available if you click here.

    Additional Resources