2026 Wisconsin Trapping Season Opening Soon
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds trappers to prepare for the opening of many furbearer trapping seasons across the state. Wisconsin is home to many furbearer species, and the state’s highly regulated trapping seasons play an important role in the DNR’s efforts to sustainably manage those populations.
The first trapping seasons of the fall open on Oct. 17, 2026. Additional seasons for other species and zones will continue to open throughout the fall. Trappers are encouraged to double-check season dates, online trapping regulations and ensure they have all required licenses before heading out.
During these periods, other outdoor recreators should be aware that traps may be present on public lands. Check with the state properties you visit for any special trapping limitations/requirements that may be in place. State parks, for example, have limits which traps are allowed and where they can be placed. Outdoor recreators can decrease their chance of encountering a trap on any property by staying on designated trails and keeping pets leashed.
Modern trapping practices are based on thorough evaluations of commercially available traps and common trapping methods, commonly known as best management practices. These evaluations include comprehensive animal welfare, selectivity, practicality and safety metrics.
All first-time trappers must complete an approved trapper education course unless trapping under the youth supervised option, mentored trapping program or other exemptions. These courses, taught by experienced trappers, cover basic trapping skills, regulations, safety and trapper ethics.
For those just starting out, the DNR offers programs for beginners, such as the Women’s Trap Camp and the Youth Trap Camp, enabling new trappers to learn in a safe and supportive atmosphere.
As a reminder, trapping seasons in a particular zone may close before the listed closing date if the harvest quota for a specific species is reached.
Trappers can view the 2026 Trapping Regulations online or visit the DNR’s Trapping webpage for zone status updates and more information about trapping in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin income taxes are not used to directly fund any wildlife projects or to facilitate the hunting/trapping seasons. Instead, 95% of the funding for wildlife management projects comes from hunting, fishing and trapping license fees and a federal tax on firearm and ammunition purchases.
The Wildlife Management Program directly supports key wildlife projects, including population surveys, habitat restoration, wildlife disease monitoring and the maintenance for 650,000 acres of public land managed for hunting, trapping and other outdoor recreation.
Wisconsin has seen the number of purchased licenses drop over the last 20 years, which directly limits available funding for current and future wildlife projects and limits our ability to absorb rising costs from inflation.
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