Each fall, thousands of Wisconsin residents head outdoors with hopes of successfully outsmarting and capturing their prey. Wisconsin trappers often find themselves trying to ensnare nearly 10 different species of animal, from beavers to foxes and raccoons. The Wisconsin Trappers Association is dedicated to educating the public about how and why they trap. Allen Nickel, trappers education instructor says he was introduced to trapping at a young age.

Currently, there are around 2,500 members in the Wisconsin Trappers Association, with additional non-members who trap on their own. They utilize species-specific traps and test them to ensure they hold the animal securely and humanely while minimizing any harm.

Trapping in Wisconsin is regulated and has specific seasons for each species. Some species have year-round trapping available for landowners experiencing problems, but regulated trapping is also necessary to avoid interfering with breeding times. 

"To be a successful trapper you have to be outside scouting and looking for tracks and scat to get a better idea of their movements and how to effectively trap them,” says Nickel. “You really have to know your surroundings and their patterns.”

Each fall, thousands of Wisconsin residents head outdoors with hopes of successfully outsmarting and capturing their prey. Wisconsin trappers often find themselves trying to ensnare nearly 10 different species of animal, from beavers to foxes and raccoons. The Wisconsin Trappers Association is dedicated to educating the public about how and why they trap. Allen Nickel, trappers education instructor says he was introduced to trapping at a young age.
Currently, there are around 2,500 members in the Wisconsin Trappers Association, with additional non-members who trap on their own. They utilize species-specific traps and test them to ensure they hold the animal securely and humanely while minimizing any harm.
<a href="https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Trap">Trapping</a> in Wisconsin is regulated and has specific <a href="https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/trap/dates">seasons</a> for each species. Some species have year-round trapping available for landowners experiencing problems, but regulated trapping is also necessary to avoid interfering with breeding times. 
"To be a successful trapper you have to be outside scouting and looking for tracks and scat to get a better idea of their movements and how to effectively trap them,” says Nickel. “You really have to know your surroundings and their patterns.”

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

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