Trapping licenses
   A trapping license is required and a Trapper Education course must be passed.

Trap maintenance
   All traps must be checked and tended at least once every 24 hours, preferably in the morning.

Leghold traps
   It is illegal to possess or use steel-jawed leghold traps anywhere in New Jersey.

Conibear (killer-type) traps
   No Conibear or killer type trap shall be used in non-tidal waters unless completely submerged underwater when the water is at the normal level. In tidal water, such traps must be completely covered at normal high tide.
   It is illegal to use, set or possess a Conibear or killer-type having a jaw spread greater than 6 inches without a permit for beaver or otter. A conibear or killer-type trap with a jaw spread of no more than 10 inches may be used for beaver or otter. Jaw spread shall be measured across the trigger of a set trap to the inner edges of the jaws.
  Beaver and otter trap tags must be placed above the water line and exposed to view.

Identification

All traps set or used must bear a legible tag of durable material with the name and address of the person setting, using and maintain the traps.

A trap identification number issued by Fish and Wildlife may be used in lieu of marking with your name and address. You must provide proof of license and a daytime telephone number. To fax your information, photocopy the carbon copy of your current and valid trapping license. Contact 609-292-6685 for more information.

When trapping for beaver or otter, the trap tag must be clearly visible above the level of water or ice.

Miscellaneous trapping regulations

No trap stakes or traps are to be set prior to times indicated in this section.

No trap shall be permitted to remain set on any property at the close of the trapping season.

No person shall steal or attempt to take traps of another, or remove a trapped animal without permission of the trap owner.

Any person (including a farmer) who traps a coyote must notify a Fish and Wildlife Law enforcement office within 24 hours.
  

Snares
   Body gripping restraining snares shall be subject to the following requirements:

No person shall set, use or maintain any type of snare unless they have first satisfactorily completed a Fish and Wildlife approved trapper education course and carry on their person appropriate certification thereof. This training is part of New Jersey's basic trapper education course.

All natural baits consisting of fish, bird or mammal carcasses or flesh used in trapping with body gripping restraining snares muse be covered or concealed from view except when placed or located a distance of 30 feet or more from any set snare.

     Body gripping restraining snares set for mink, muskrat and nutria are subject to the following requirements:

All such traps must be constructed of aircraft cable or crucible wire measuring 1/32, 3/64 or 1/16 inches in diameter, equipped with a swivel and set within 50 feet of the mean high water line.

All such traps must be equipped with a stop to prevent the average loop diameter from exceeding 4 inches.

All such traps must be set so that the distance between the ground/walking surface to the top of the loop greater than seven inches.

     Body gripping restraining snares set for coyote, fox, opossum, raccoon, skunk and weasel shall be subject to the following requirements:

All such traps must be constructed of aircraft cable or crucible wire measuring 5/64 to 1/8 inches in diameter and be equipped with a swivel.

All such traps must be equipped with a deer stop located no less than 6 inches from the beginning of the cable and a loop stop to prevent the average loop diameter from exceeding 12 inches.

All such traps must be set so that the distance between the ground/walking surface to the top of the loop does not exceed 24 inches.

The above requirements for cable diameters, loop stops and loop sizes do not apply to body gripping restraining snares that are completely submerged underwater at all times (e.g., when set for beaver or river otter).

Rifles
   Licensed trappers at least 18 years of age and in possession of a valid rifle permit may carry a .22 caliber rifle, and use only .22 caliber short rimfire cartridges to kill legally trapped animals other than muskrats, including on Sundays. Firearms may not be loaded with more than 3 rounds.

Beaver and River Otter
  Beaver and river otter may be taken only by properly licensed trappers in possession of a beaver/otter season permit for an entire beaver/otter management zone, or a beaver site-specific permit valid as designated on the permit. Application can be made at license agents or on Fish and Wildlife's Internet license sales site, remember to bring your 2006 trapping license to apply.
  The application period is October 1-31. A zone map, zone boundaries description and permit quota chart is available on NJFW website or call (609) 292-1473. Applicants may apply for only one beaver trapping permit and/or one otter trapping permit. If the number of applications exceeds the permit quota, a random drawing will be held to determine permit holders. Successful beaver permit applicants will be given first opportunity for otter permits in their respective beaver zone.
  Beaver trappers can indicate on their application if they wish to be considered for a site-specific beaver permit within their chosen zone. Site-specific permits are isssued for properties where confirmed beaver damagee or nuisance problems exist. A seperate, random drawing will determine site-specific permit holders; however, applicants who did not receive a beaver/otter zone permit will have first opportunity for a site-specific permit.
  Other rules and regulations applying to beaver/otter trapping:

Holders of a beaver trapping zone permit may use a maximum of five traps daily.

Holders of a site-specific permit may use an additional five traps daily only at the location specified on the permit

Holders of a river otter trapping permit may use a maximum of three traps daily.

All beaver and otter trap tags must be clearly visible above the water or ice.

A Fish and Wildlife issued Beaver Transportation Tag or Otter Transportation Tag must be affixed to the beaver or otter carcass immediately upon removal from the trap.

All successful trappers (or their agents) must present their beaver and/or otter pelts at a designated check station for examination where pelt tags will be affixed, and otter carcasses will be surrendered. Trappers are strongly encouraged to properly flesh and stretch all pelts for examination. Additional information on check stations will be provided to all permit holders.

The tentative date for beaver/otter pelt check is Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007. Successful trappers who cannot attend the scheduled date may contact either Joseph Garris at (908) 735-7040 or Andrew Burnett at (609) 748-2058 prior to Feb. 24th to schedule a pelt examination.

Trapping Zones, Seasons and Bag Limits
   Northern Zone: Those portions of Bergen, Essex, Hudosn, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties lying north of a line beginning at the intersection of US Route 1 and the Delaware River at Trenton, extending north along US Route 1 to its intersection with Interstate Route 287, then south on I-287 to its intersection with Route 440; then east along Route 440 to its intersection with the New Jersey-New York State line in the Arthur Kill.
   Southern Zone: Those portions of the Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem Counties lying south of a line beginning at the intersection of US Route 1 and the Delaware River at Trenton; then north along US Rout 1 to its intersection with Interstate Route 287, then south on I-287 to its intersection with Route 440; then east along Route 440 to its intersection with the New Jersey-New York State line in the Arthur Kill.

No traps or trap stakes are to be set prior to times indicated in the info below.

Raccoon, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Skunk, Weasel, Opossum, Coyote
No bag limits
Statewide (except WMAs) Season: 6 a.m. Nov. 15, 2006 - Mar. 15, 2007
State WMAs Season: 6 a.m. Jan. 1 - Mar. 15, 2007

Mink, Muskrat, Nutria
No bag limits
Season North Zone (except WMAs): 6 a.m. Nov. 15, 2006 - Mar. 15, 2007
Season South Zone (except WMAs): 6 a.m. Dec. 1, 2006 - Mar. 15, 2007
State WMAs Season: 6 a.m. Jan. 1 - Mar. 15, 2007

Beaver (by permit only)
Season limit: 8 beaver
Season: Jan. 1 - Feb. 9, 2007
Max 5 Traps in use (Holders of both a Special Permit and a Special Site Specific Permit may use five additional traps per Special Site Specific Permit provided they are used only on the property or site specified in the Special Site Specific Permit.

River Otter (by permit only)
Season limit: 1 otter
Season: Jan. 1 - Feb. 9, 2007
Max 3 Traps in use.