Wyoming Trapping Guide

While doing research on Wyoming trapping I was confused with some of the written laws and what they meant. It appeared in the regulation pamphlet that you could trap “predatory animals” (coyote, fox, raccoon, and a few others) year-round but it wasn’t specifically stated.

I called the Wyoming Fish and Game information line in Cheyenne and I was told that you would get a ticket if you caught a non-target animal like a furbearer. That does not make any sense, because even during trapping season you can not prevent that.

I was also confused because many of the furbearer season dates do not coincide. If you catch an animal out of season then you will get a ticket trapping would not exist in Wyoming.

I decided to do some digging to make sure that you would not get a ticket for accidentally trapping the wrong species, like a badger in a coyote set. The truth is you will not get a ticket.

So I talked to another Wyoming Game and Fish office and found out that it is legal to run traps year-round for “predatory animals”. You don’t need a license to trap them and if you get a non-target catch then you can call the local warden and inform them.

If you are worried if you are going to catch a badger in Wyoming or any other fur-bearing animal you can just go get a trapping license and then you don’t have to worry about it because badger season is year-round.

Don’t worry about catching a non-target animal, the Wyoming Fish and Game will work with you to release it or take care of the situation.

If you are headed out trapping be sure to read the regulations. They can be a bit confusing but double-check the laws with multiple offices or wardens if you have any questions.

Wyoming Trappers Education

Wyoming does not require trappers education before you can buy a trapping license. This means you can get a trapping license and start trapping fur-bearing animals in Wyoming this trapping season.

All animals classified and predatory animals can be trapped year-round in Wyoming and do not require a license to take them.

What can you trap in Wyoming?

Fur-bearing Animals In Wyoming

Fur-bearing animals are only allowed to be trapped during their designated seasons. Bag limits will apply to certain areas around the state so be aware of all laws for the species you may catch when trapping.

Trappers may only trap fur-bearing animals if they have a valid trapping license.

Badgers are considered furbearers in Wyoming. Trapping badgers in Wyoming is open year-round in Area 1, which includes most of the state. There is not a bag limit to the number of badgers you can take during the year.

Check the regulations for more details on trapping badgers in Wyoming.

In Wyoming, beavers are considered fur-bearing animals. The regulations for taking beaver in Wyoming are divided into several areas across the state. Area 1 which includes most of the state allows for trapping from October through April without a bag limit.

Check other areas where you can and can’t trap beavers and get specific bag limits for other areas in the state by checking the regulations.

Bobcats are classified and fur-bearing animals in Wyoming. They are allowed to be trapped in Area 1 which is most of the state and do not have a bag limit during their designated season. All raw bobcat furs must be registered with the Wyoming Fish and Game no later than March 11 each year.

Martin is considered a furbearer in Wyoming and can be trapped in two areas of the state. Area 1 which is most of the state allows for trapping from October to February and there is no bag limit. Area 2 is a smaller area in the South East of Wyoming that allows for trapping from December to February and also does not have a bag limit.

In Wyoming, mink trapping is allowed in a designated season running from October to April. Mink are considered a furbearer and can be trapped in Area 1. This area includes most of the state. There is no bag limit to the number of mink you can trap during the season.

Muskrats are considered a furbearer in Wyoming. They can be trapped from October to April in Area 1. Area 1 includes most of the state. There is no bag limit to the number you can catch during the season.

Weasels can be trapped from October to March in Wyoming. During the season, in Area 1 there is no bag limit to the number of weasels you can take. Area 1 has most of the state in it.

Predatory Animals In Wyoming

Wyoming classifies the predatory animals as animals that can be taken without a license year-round. There is also no bag limit to the number you can take in non-restricted areas.

The animals classified as predatory animals are coyote, jackrabbit, porcupine, raccoon, red fox, skunk, and a gray wolf located outside the Wolf Trophy Game Management Area and Seasonal Wolf Trophy Game Management Area.

Check all laws for the area you intend to trap predatory animals.

Coyotes can be trapped year-round in Wyoming in legal trapping areas. They are considered predatory animals. There is no bag limit to the number you can take. To trap coyotes in Wyoming you also do not need a license.

Wyoming considers jackrabbits to be predatory animals. This means they can be trapped year-round in Wyoming. You can also hunt jackrabbits year-round as well without a bag limit on the number you can take.

Wyoming allows for the trapping of porcupines. They are classified as predatory animals. They can be trapped year-round without a license. There is no limit to the number of porcupines you can trap.

Raccoons can be trapped in Wyoming without a license. They are classified as predatory animal and can be trapped year-round without a bag limit to the number of raccoons you can take.

The red fox is considered a predatory animal in Wyoming and can be trapped and hunted year-round. There is no bag limit to the number of red fox you can take.

Skunks can be trapped year-round in Wyoming. They are considered predatory animals and do not have a bag limit to the number you can trap during the year.

In Wyoming, Stray Cats are considered predatory animals. These cats can be trapped and hunted year-round in Wyoming. There is no limit to the number of stray cats you can take.

Gray Wolves that are located outside the Wolf Trophy Game Management Area and Seasonal Wolf Trophy Game Management Area are considered predatory animals. This means that they can be hunted and trapped year-round without a bag limit.

Make sure you know all laws before trapping wolves or any other animal because they are highly protected in many parts of Wyoming.