Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Trapping

Best Management Practices (BMPs) for trapping are based on scientific research that evaluates traps and trapping systems. This research is conducted by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) with the aid of state wildlife agencies, trapping organizations, and trappers. Traps and trapping systems are evaluated to provide information on trapped animals’ welfare, trapping efficiency, trapping selectivity, and safety.

BMPs have provided many benefits to the modern-day trapper by:

• Supplying information to people in all 50 states since 1996
• Actively involving 32 state wildlife agencies, multiple federal wildlife agencies, and various conservation organizations in the BMP research
• Working with trappers, veterinarians, wildlife management professionals, and universities to evaluate types of traps, trapping systems, and anchoring methods
• Promoting regulated trapping as a wildlife management tool
• Recommending traps and techniques for:
  • Improved efficiency
  • Target animal selectivity
  • Welfare of trapped animals
• Developing specifications that meet BMP criteria for target furbearers
• Gaining public confidence and support for trapping and wildlife management
• Serving as a reference for trappers, trapping organizations, and wildlife management professionals