Why It Matters: In the Northeast, regulated trapping isn’t just a pursuit— it is an essential wildlife management tool that ensures that furbearer populations thrive in balance with their habitats and other wildlife species. With regulated trapping season kicking off across Northern New England for species like red and gray fox, raccoon, opossum, skunk, coyote, mink, muskrat, and weasel, (fisher and martin – in Maine, later in the season) trapping is a time-honored tradition many sportsmen and women look forward to, where they play a vital role in stewarding our natural heritage. But this year, as drought grips the Granite State (as well as Vermont and Maine) trappers face unique hurdles while continuing their essential work in conservation.
Highlights:
- As seasons unfold now through March 2026, trappers’ efforts not only sustain furbearer health but fortify the ecosystems we all cherish.
- Trapping funds the very programs that sustain our outdoors. License revenues benefit habitat enhancement, research, and land acquisition, benefiting non-game species such as the New England cottontail and Canada lynx.
- Much of New Hampshire is currently experiencing either Extreme or Severe drought. As of early October, over 91% of the state is suffering drought conditions, with extreme levels in central counties like Carroll, Grafton, and Sullivan.
As sportsmen and women know, Mother Nature isn’t always kind, and this year’s drought (New Hampshire’s worst in 25 years) has turned our landscapes bone-dry, challenging both wildlife and those who tend to it. As of early October, over 91% of the state has been in the grips of drought conditions, with extreme levels in central counties like Carroll, Grafton, and Sullivan. Streams run shallow enough to wade the Connecticut and Lamprey Rivers in spots, wells are getting low, and wildfire danger is at an all-time high that has resulted in burn bans, enacted statewide in late September. Our driest summer on record (June-August) has sapped soil moisture, stressing vegetation and concentrating animals around limited water sources.
As the drought holds tight on the Granite State, trappers face unique hurdles while continuing their essential work in conservation. As trapping is a cornerstone of wildlife management, parched conditions are testing both furbearers and those who manage them. Beavers face depleted food caches increasing territorial conflicts. Semi-aquatic species like mink and muskrat concentrate in remnant wetlands, heightening disease risks in crowded conditions. Even coyotes and foxes shift behaviors, working agricultural edges more aggressively.
Trappers, too, adapt to these challenges. Sets near traditional watercourses may underperform as animals roam farther, demanding more line miles and daily checks under parched, leaf-littered trails. With some know-how and scouting, New Hampshire’s regulated trappers can still have a productive season. Furbearers like beaver, muskrat, raccoon, and mink tend to congregate around remaining water bodies. This concentration makes it easier to predict their locations and set traps effectively in high-traffic areas. Animals are more likely to follow predictable paths to access water or food, increasing the likelihood of encountering sets. For example, beavers and muskrats are drawn to specific channels or crossings, making foothold or body-gripping traps more effective. Lower water levels in wetlands, rivers, or marshes can make previously inaccessible areas more reachable for trappers. Dry or shallow water bodies allow trappers to navigate and set traps without needing boats or dealing with deep water. Trapping during drought can help manage populations of species like beaver, which may cause damage to remaining water sources or infrastructure (e.g., damming culverts).
It is safe to say, trappers in the 603 are perhaps more essential this season than ever. Tackling concentrated populations to prevent disease, overcrowding, and demands on resources will require serious management. Regulated trappers provide biologists with irreplaceable data on population health, always at their own expense. As the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has long championed, trapping embodies the principle that sustainable use protects and promotes our outdoor traditions for generations to come. For the latest on seasons, reporting, and drought updates, visit ww.wildlife.nh.gov.
