Furbearer trapping seasons in Wisconsin will open on Oct. 17, 2026, with additional seasons for other species continuing throughout the fall, the state Department of Natural Resources announced. The agency reminded trappers to verify season dates and regulations online and confirm they hold required licenses before heading out.
The opening affects multiple furbearer species regulated across different zones in the state. Trapping seasons may close early in a particular zone if the harvest quota for a specific species is reached, the DNR said.
Outdoor recreators visiting public lands during trapping season should be aware that traps may be present. To reduce encounters with traps, the DNR advised staying on designated trails and keeping pets leashed. State parks enforce limits on which traps are allowed and where they can be placed.
First-time trappers must complete an approved education course covering basic skills, regulations, safety and ethics, though youth supervised trapping, mentored programs and other exemptions exist. The DNR offers Women's Trap Camp and Youth Trap Camp for beginners.
The state's wildlife management program relies heavily on trapping and hunting license fees, along with a federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition, which the DNR said account for 95% of wildlife funding. License purchases have declined over the past 20 years, the agency said, directly limiting funding for wildlife surveys, habitat restoration, disease monitoring and maintenance of 650,000 acres of public land.