Trapping in Alberta
Last Update: February 14, 2008
Welcome to Trapping in Alberta!
2007-2008 Alberta Guide to Trapping Regulations now available!
The trapping of furbearing animals has been a traditional pursuit in western Canada since the mid-1600s. It helped open the country to exploration and started the commerce that eventually built a nation.
Trapping continues today in Alberta. There are approximately 2300 trappers in the province. Of those, about 1600 conduct their trapping on 1700 Registered Fur Management Areas (RFMAs). An RFMA is a parcel of public land allocated to the holder of a Registered Fur Management Licence by the Department of Environment. These registered trappers may form partnerships with other trappers to trap their RFMAs.
About 650 holders of Resident Fur Trapping Licences trap on privately owned land and public lands not included in RFMAs. The remaining trappers in the province hold Métis and Indian Licences to trap on Métis settlements and Indian reserves.
During the 2000-2001 fur trapping season, over $2.1 million worth of wild fur was produced by trappers in Alberta. This total is up from the $1.8 million worth of fur that was produced during the 1999-2000 season.
Trapping is a viable use of a natural renewable resource. Each trapper is responsible for managing the furbearers on his or her trapping area. Trappers are concerned with the well-being of the resource and ensure the animals they harvest can easily be replaced by the naturally reproducing wild populations. Indeed, without concerned trappers in the field constantly assessing furbearer populations, we would not be aware of the status of many of these species of Alberta wildlife.
Responsible trappers...
- show compassion for the animals they capture,
- know and practise humane capture and killing methods, and
- develop skills that properly prepare furs for market.
Please note:
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