The bottom line is that trapping in 2024 is inhumane and in major need of a regulatory overhaul.
Trapping regulations across Canadian provinces have remained largely unchanged for nearly a century. These outdated rules have led to the trapping, killing, and skinning of tens of thousands of wolves and other fur-bearing animals each year.
These animals are often caught in cruel and ineffective neck snares, which are used primarily for a fashion industry that no longer aligns with modern ethical standards. Banned in over 85 countries, these snares are still able to be utilized across Canadian provinces and are profusely abused. These killing snares are not considered killing traps, as set out in the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS). In Alberta, there are over 1632 RMFA’s, “Registered Fur Management Areas”, meaning there could be animals suffering in a neck snare within only an hour or two of your home or a few miles away from you while you're enjoying your favourite hiking spot.
Did you know that trappers are not legally required to post warning signs to indicate trap locations, creating a significant safety risk? This regulatory gap underscores the importance of public awareness regarding trapping season dates to prevent dangerous encounters with traps. These traps not only pose risks to hikers and beloved pets but also endanger local wildlife, highlighting the urgent need for updated, humane trapping regulations.
The lack of updated regulations means that trapping practices continue to be inhumane and inefficient, failing to reflect contemporary values of animal welfare and conservation.
Donate to support fur-bearing animals, such as wolves, lynx, bobcats, and wolverines! A tax deductible donation to the Trapped In the Past Campaign helps our efforts to ban snares and update trapping regulations for a more humane and ethical approach to wildlife management in Canada.
Donate To Reform TrappingLearn more about fur-bearing animals, such as wolves, and the commercial trapping industry by heading to our free online library. Here is where you will learn the in's and out's on wolves and wildlife management so that you can take a stand and gives fur-bearing animals a voice!
Learn NowWe created the Trapped In the Past documentary series to raise awareness on the harsh realities of the commercial trapping industry in North America and the changes that need to be made. Watch the series to learn what's going on in our forests, how wildlife is truly treated, and how you can make a difference.
38% of Canadian don't realize that industrial trapping is legal while even more don't know that thousand of wild animals are trapped each for their pelts. Help us give wildlife a voice and raise awareness by telling your family, friends, and networks the truth about how our wildlife is being managed.
What To Say
Part one of the Trapped In the Past docu-series focuses on killing neck snares, diving deep into the science and the ethics behind this cruel and archaic trapping device that is still used in Canada and much of the U.S. despite being banned in more than 85 countries worldwide. This episode also unravels commercial trapping regulations and answers the questions: who is trapping and why?
Trapped in the Past Part Two: The Economics of Trapping - Past and Present explores Canada's history with the trapping industry, its place in today's society, and the economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability of trapping. After this episode, you will be able to answer the question: does commercial trapping have a place in today’s society?
The final episode "A Dying Industry in a Changing World" explores the common arguments that are used to support trapping and discusses whether these arguments are valid or not in modern day society and, finally, answers the question: where do we go from here?
In partnership with The Fur-Bearers, the Exposed Wildlife Conservancy is pleased to present the Trapped In the Past documentary series. Watch each episode of our 3-part series exposing the harsh realities of the North American trapping industry. With your help, we believe this series on trapping is a game-changer in Canadian wildlife management, opening the eyes of the world to what's going on in our forests and with our wildlife.
In Canada, most furs are sold to international markets.
Coyote – 100,774
Muskrat – 81,497
Beaver – 70,176
Marten – 44,293
Fox (red, cross, silver) – 18,634
Weasel – 15,667
Raccoon – 14,369
Red squirrel – 10,477
Fisher – 10,475
Mink – 9,047
Coyote – C$8,725,548
Marten – C$1,832,731
Beaver – C$1,127,313
Muskrat – C$410,576
Lynx – C$320,153
Wolf – C$307,314
Fox (red, cross, silver) – C$244,101
Fisher – C$217,328
Black bear – C$176,884
Bobcat – C$116,113
As one of the largest producers of fur, Alberta plays a large role in the industry.
Coyote – 27 536
Marten – 3,887
Beaver – 6094
Muskrat – 8335
Lynx – 918
Wolf – 318
Fox (red, cross, silver) – 1205
Fisher – 613
Bobcat – 23
Coyote – $863,804
Marten – $175,964
Beaver – $102,135
Muskrat – $72,931
Lynx – $95,279
Wolf – $81,647
Fox (red, cross, silver) – $19,232
Fisher – $19,028
Bobcat – $14,595
Trapping in Canada goes back to roughly the 1500’s, and has changed dramatically over the years. Being aware of the trapping industry is crucial to ensure that trapping activities are continuously conducted within legal and ethical guidelines, preventing over trapping and protecting vulnerable species as society changes. Proper timing and regulation helps to maintain balanced wildlife populations and supports conservation efforts by minimizing negative impacts on ecosystems.
In Canada, trapping is regulated at the provincial, territorial, and municipal levels, with oversight from the Canadian Furbearer Management Committee (CFMC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The CFMC’s standards are developed through the Trap Research and Development Program, managed by InnoTech Alberta, who has shifted to using computer simulation models instead of live animal testing. These simulations are highly criticized for potentially failing to accurately reflect natural conditions or trap-setting practices, raising concerns about their effectiveness and the humane treatment of wildlife.
Increase your awareness of the areas requiring your attention and learn more about the Trapping Industry by exploring our carefully curated Trapping Series. We dive deeply into history, the dark truths and the changes we aspire to see, so you have what you need at your fingertips to generate your own educated opinions and wildlife conservation plans.
- Between 2015 and 2019, nearly $11.5 million was provided to fur and trapping operations. In the same period, $9.2 million in grants and subsidies were given to the fur industry.
- In Alberta, obtaining a trapping license involves attending a weekend-long trapping course, passing an examination, and paying $20 for a resident trapping license
- Canada’s history is intertwined with Indigenous culture and traditions. For Indigenous peoples, trapping was essential for survival and provided vital resources. The animals trapped also held profound cultural and symbolic significance within their communities.
- Trapping is mainly a seasonal activity for recreation or supplementary income, however it rarely offers sustainable economic returns. A 2019 study found that 75% of trappers do it for sport, with only 20% for income. Global demand for fur pelts has been declining since 2018.
- International Trapping Standards, or AIHTS, states that this acceptable time limit will be evaluated by the CFMC at a three-year review to reduce killing trap time limits from 300 seconds (5 minutes) to 180 seconds (3 minutes). This review has not occurred since the signing of the Agreement in 1997.
- Snares are devices made of wire or wire rope designed to constrict around an animal's neck, torso, foot, or leg. If set improperly, they can cause severe injuries and prolonged suffering and death.
- Killing neck snares are designated as live (not killing) traps according to International Trapping Standards (AIHTS).
- Traps often unintentionally capture non-target species, including apex predators (e.g., bears, bobcats), mesopredators (e.g., wolverines), birds of prey (e.g., bald eagles), large ungulates (e.g., moose), and household pets (e.g., dogs). Bycatch, especially of keystone species like cougars, can result in significant ecological disruptions due to their critical roles in the environment.
- There are no requirements for trappers to report bycatch incidents or to post signage indicating traplines.
-Independent research has found that wolverine trapping in Canada is unsustainable and needs to be reduced by at least 50% to be viable in the long term.
