Trapping in Alabama

Overview

Furbearers are a valuable and renewable natural resource that are managed and regulated by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Regulated trapping is an important part of modern wildlife management programs and is the most efficient and practical means available to manage furbearer populations and their associated habitats.

In Alabama, the following species are designated as furbearers: 

• Bobcat
• Coyote
• Fox
• Mink
• Muskrat
• Nutria
• Opossum
• Otter
• Raccoon
• Striped Skunk

NOTE: There is no closed season for Beaver, Coyote, Raccoon, Opossum and Nutria.

See Seasons and Bag Limits for other species' open dates.

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Regulations

Note: All bobcat and otter, regardless of method of harvest, are required to be tagged by a representative of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division within 14 days of harvest or may be left with a taxidermist with a completed tagging form, and the taxidermist is required to have the bobcat or otter tagged within 14 days of receipt.

License Requirements

• To take, capture or kill fur-bearing animals for commercial purposes, a fur-catcher's license is required.
• If you are not being paid to trap and are not selling the fur or carcass, no license is required.

All commercial fur-catchers are required to submit a Fur Catch Report form within 45 days of the end of the trapping season.

Suggested Article:
 

The Role of Trapping in Wildlife Management