Furbearers Management

The Department recognizes that regulated trapping is a versatile, safe, effective and ecologically sound means of capturing individual animals without impairing the survival of furbearer populations or damaging the environment.

Trapping provides income, recreation and an outdoor lifestyle for many citizens through use of a renewable natural resource and provides an effective means of harvesting, managing and/or studying furbearers; controlling damage caused by furbearers; and at times, reduces the spread of harmful disease.

The Department also recognizes that trapping concerns some segments of the public that oppose trapping or use of specific trapping devices. The department supports regulated trapping and efforts to address societal concerns through appropriate education, research, enforcement and regulatory programs. Such programs shall be designed to increase awareness and acceptance of trapping by seeking to enhance animal welfare while maintaining management capabilities and other benefits associated with this activity.

Fur Harvest Survey Reports, Spotlight Survey Reports, and Archery Deer Hunter Survey Reports

• 2013 - 2014 Illinois Fur Harvest Survey
• 2014 - 2015 Illinois Fur Harvest Survey
• 2015 - 2016 Illinois Fur Harvest Survey
• 2016 - 2017 Illinois Fur Harvest Survey​
• 2017 - 2018 Illinois ​Fur Harvest Survey​​​
• 2018 - 2019 Illinois Fur Harvest Survey
• 2019 - 2020 Illinois Fur Harvest Survey

• 2015 Spotlight Survey - Wildlife Diversity Program
• 2016 Spotlight Survey - Wildlife Diversity Program
• 2017 Spotlight Survey - Wildlife Diversity Program
• 2​​018 Spotlight Survey - Wildlife Diversity Program
• 2019 Spotlight Survey - Wildlife Diversity Program

• 2014 Archery Deer Hunter Survey
• 2015 Archery Deer Hunter Survey
• 2016 Archery Deer Hunter Survey
• 2017 Archery Deer Hunter Survey
• 2018 Archery Deer Hunter Survey
• 2019 Archery Deer Hunter Survey

Furbearer Hunting Page

​Find permit, season, applications, and other related informatio​n to furbearer hunting.        

Illinois Hunting and Trapping Guide

Learn more about Illinois regulations governing hunting and trapping.

Trapper Education Courses

Trapper Education course is required for first-time trappers born on or before January 1, 1998 * except Youth Trapping License (no Trapper Education required) may be purchased for residents or non-residents 18 years of age and younger as long as they are supervised by a parent, grandparent or guardian who is age 21 or over, while trapping.

Outside Organizations of Interest

International Hunters Education Association

Northeast Furbearer Resources Technical Committee

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies – Furbearer Management

• Best Management Practices

• Issues-Trapping Furbearers

• Highly Regulated and Abundant Wildlife

• Benefits to People & Rare/Endangered Species

• Humane Trapping

• Hunters and Trapping Care

• Description of Species