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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/Stamps | Resident | Non-Resident | Online | Vendors | Specifications |
| Trapping | $10.00 | X | X | First-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 | $7.00 | X | X | Any 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) | $175.00 | X | X | Reciprocity means your state of residence allows Illinois residents to trap. | |
| Trapping (without state reciprocity) | $250.00 | X | X | See reciprocity specification above. | |
| State Habitat Stamp | $5.00 | $5.00 | X | X |
Trapping Dates & Limits
| SPECIES | DATES | LIMIT | ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | 10 Nov 2023 - 15 Feb 2024 | No limit | |
| Raccoon | |||
| Opossum | |||
| Striped Skunk | |||
| Weasels | |||
| Mink | |||
| Muskrat | |||
| Fox (Red and Gray) | |||
| Badger | 10 Nov 2023 - 15 Feb 2024 | North Zone: 2 per person per season | See zone map for boundary |
| 10 Nov 2023 - 15 Feb 2024 | South Zone: 1 per person per season | See zone map for boundary | |
| Bobcat | 10 Nov 2023 - 15 Feb 2024 | 1 by permit only | Must 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 |
| Beaver | 10 Nov 2023 - 31 Mar 2024 | No limit | |
| River Otter | 10 Nov 2023 - 31 Mar 2024 | 5 per person per season | Must purchase Otter Registration Permit within 48 hours after each otter is trapped. Must affix official CITES tag to each pelt |
| Woodchuck | 1 Jun - 30 Sep 2023 | No 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.