Required for nongame, predator trappers operating within court-established area 

HELENA – During the 2024-2025 trapping season, those who are targeting predators and/or nongame within a court-established geographic area for personal or livestock protection purposes will need to have a new Free Supplemental Trapping Permit.

This new permit was established Nov. 12 by the Fish and Wildlife Commission as proposed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to gather data and insight on predator and nongame trapping efforts within a specific court-established geographic area.

Here are the key details for predator and nongame trappers to know about the new Free Supplemental Trapping Permit:

• The Free Supplemental Trapping Permit is required by trappers who are trapping on ground, not in water, if they are targeting nongame species (racoons, badgers, red fox) and/or predatory animals (weasel, skunks, coyotes). People using live cage traps are exempt from this requirement.

• Trappers who are trapping for livestock protection purposes must complete and sign a declaration identifying the producer’s name, that the producer has provided permission for trapping activities to occur on their private or leased property, and the county where the trapping will occur. Livestock producers that trap on lands they own or lease and manage for livestock production are not required to obtain the declaration.

• The Free Supplemental Trapping Permit and the declaration are available online at ols.fwp.mt.gov or at any FWP office.

The Free Supplemental Trapping Permit will be required from Dec. 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2025.

Additionally, predator and nongame trappers are subject to specific requirements should there be an incidental capture of a grizzly bear. These requirements would not apply to those trapping for livestock protection. These requirements would go into effect 48 hours after FWP is notified of the capture and would only apply within the court-established geographic area:

• All foothold traps used in ground sets (regardless of the target species) must have an inside jaw spread of less than or equal to 5 1/2 inches.

• The use of snares is not allowed unless they meet ALL the following criteria:

• The snare is equipped with a breakaway lock device installed on the loop end and designed to release when more than 350 pounds of force is applied;

• The snare is fastened to an immovable object solidly secured to the ground (i.e., the use of drags is unlawful); and

• The top of the loop of the snare is not placed more than 26 inches above the ground; in snow, 26 inches is measured from the compacted snow in a trapper’s footprint established by the full body weight of the trapper.