Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
READ STATE REGULATED SPECIES SECTION FIRST
License Requirements
• Every resident age 16 and over must have both a Small Game and a Trapping License in possession to take small game (including furbearers) with traps, except that persons may trap without a Small Game License on their own land if they occupy it as their principal residence. That person must still have a Trapping License.
• Residents age 13 through 17 must have a Jr. Trapping License and residents age 18 through 64 must have a regular trapping license to trap. Residents age 65 and over must have a regular or reduced-fee trapping license. Residents under age 13 do not need a trapping license.
• Any fisher, otter, bobcat, or pine marten taken by a resident under age five must be included in the limit of the accompanying parent or guardian.
• Nonresidents may only obtain a license to trap on land they own in Minnesota. Persons born after December 31, 1989, who have not been issued a trapping license in a previous license year may not obtain a trapping license without a trapper education certificate. The Minnesota Trappers Association will conduct trapper education courses statewide, free of charge to the participants, and issue certificates that satisfy this trapping license requirement.
Trapping license is $20. Small game license is $19.
Chapter 97B - Hunting
97B.928 - Identification Of Traps And Snares
Chapter 6234 - Small Game
Some animals which are normally protected by Minnesota Statute can be taken without a license or permit if they are doing damage. The animals included under this provision of Minnesota law include: mink, squirrels, rabbit, hare, raccoon, lynx, bobcat, fox, muskrat, opossum and beaver. Other unprotected birds include the English sparrow, starling, and common pigeon. All of these animals may be taken by the landowner, manager or occupant if the animal is causing property damage.
When taking protected nuisance animals, notify a Conservation Officer within 24 hours.
Taking a Nuisance Animal
General Wildlife Control Techniques
Wildlife Damage Management
Hunting
Trapping & Furbearers
Trapping – regular (r)
Education
Nuisance Wildlife Repellent Handbook
Trapper Education Manual
Wildlife Damage Management Program
1601 Minnesota Drive
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 833-8630/8633 fax (218) 833-8632
97B.928 - Identification Of Traps And Snare
Subdivision 1. Information required.
(a) A person may not set or place a trap or snare, other than on property owned or occupied by the person, unless the following information is affixed to the trap or snare in a manner that ensures that the information remains legible while the trap or snare is on the lands or waters:
(1) the number and state of the person's driver's license;
(2) the person's Minnesota identification card number;
(3) the person's name and mailing address; or
(4) the license identification number issued by the Department of Natural Resources.
(b) The commissioner may not prescribe additional requirements for identification of traps or snares.
(c) Until March 1, 2013, the driver's license number under paragraph (a), clause (1), may be the person's previously issued Minnesota driver's license number.
Subd. 2. Provisions not to apply. From April 1 to August 31, the trap identification
provisions of subdivision 1 do not apply to traps set for the taking of unprotected wild animals.
Subd. 3. Penalty. A person who violates subdivision 1, paragraph (a), is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
Relocation is allowed. It is important to note that permission from the landowner is required to release an animal on any property public or private.
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