What Are Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Trapping?
Best Management Practice
When many people picture trapping, they imagine an old steel trap from a movie or an image shared on social media. What they often don’t realize is that modern trapping in North America has changed dramatically over the past several decades.
Today’s responsible trappers don’t simply buy any trap and head into the field.
Instead, many rely on Best Management Practices (BMPs), science-based recommendations developed through decades of research by wildlife biologists, veterinarians, engineers, state wildlife agencies, and experienced trappers.
BMPs are designed to answer an important question:
“What trapping equipment and techniques provide the best combination of animal welfare, selectivity, efficiency, practicality, and user safety?”
The answer is based on scientific testing, not opinion.
What Are Best Management Practices?
Best Management Practices, commonly called BMPs, are recommendations developed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) beginning in 1997.
The BMP program was created to scientifically evaluate trapping equipment used for North American furbearers.
Rather than relying on tradition alone, researchers tested hundreds of trap designs under real field conditions.
The goal was continuous improvement.
As new traps, modifications, and techniques became available, they could be evaluated using consistent scientific methods.
Today, the BMP program has evaluated more than 600 trap models and configurations covering 23 species of North American furbearers.
The project represents one of the largest scientific efforts ever undertaken to evaluate trapping equipment.
Why Were BMPs Created?
Wildlife agencies recognized that trapping could continue to improve.
Rather than assuming every trap performed equally well, researchers asked questions such as:
- Which trap consistently captures the intended species?
- Which trap minimizes injury?
- Which trap avoids unnecessary captures of non-target animals?
- Which trap is practical for trappers to use correctly?
- Which trap provides safe operation for the user?
These questions became the foundation of BMP testing.
The purpose was not simply to catch animals. The purpose was to identify equipment that performs responsibly and effectively under real-world conditions. That meant evaluating traps not only on their ability to capture the intended species, but also on selectivity, animal welfare, reliability, durability, and performance under a wide range of field conditions.
BMP testing is designed to put equipment through objective, standardized evaluation so that trappers can make informed decisions about the tools they use. The result is a body of research and testing that helps identify equipment capable of meeting established performance standards while supporting responsible and ethical trapping practices.
For trappers, this provides something valuable: confidence that the equipment being used has been evaluated beyond simple claims of performance and has been tested against measurable criteria in actual trapping situations.
Five Areas Every Trap Is Evaluated
Every trap evaluated under the BMP program is measured using five primary criteria.
1. Animal Welfare
Perhaps the best-known part of BMP testing is the evaluation of animal welfare.
Captured animals are examined using standardized injury assessment methods developed with veterinary input. Researchers evaluate the type, location, and severity of any injuries and compare those findings across different trap designs and configurations.
The goal is not simply to determine whether an animal was captured. Researchers want to understand what happens during the capture process and whether the equipment consistently performs in a manner that minimizes injury. This makes animal welfare a measurable part of the evaluation rather than something left to subjective observation.
Testing can also consider factors such as the animal’s condition after capture, the consistency of the trap’s performance, and whether the equipment meets established criteria under controlled conditions. By applying the same assessment methods across different traps, researchers can make meaningful comparisons between designs.
This standardized approach is important because a trap that appears effective from a capture standpoint may perform differently when evaluated for animal welfare. BMP testing provides a way to examine both objectives together: effective capture of the intended species while minimizing unnecessary injury.
The resulting information gives wildlife managers, trappers, manufacturers, and conservation professionals a common set of performance data to consider when evaluating trapping equipment. Rather than relying solely on personal experience or anecdotal reports, BMP testing provides evidence gathered through structured research and standardized evaluation.
Ultimately, the welfare component of BMP testing reflects a broader principle of responsible trapping: successful equipment should not only work, but should perform consistently and meet established standards for humane and selective capture.
2. Efficiency
A trap should consistently capture the species it is intended to catch.
A trap that frequently misses animals, springs improperly, or allows animals to escape is not considered efficient.
Reliable equipment helps reduce unnecessary repeat captures and improves overall trapping success.
3. Selectivity
A trap should consistently capture the species it is intended to catch.
A trap that frequently misses animals, springs improperly, or allows animals to escape is not considered efficient. Consistent performance is an important part of evaluating trapping equipment because trappers need equipment that functions predictably under real-world conditions.
Reliability can be influenced by many factors, including trap design, trigger sensitivity, jaw configuration, bedding, placement, weather, and the condition of the equipment. Even a well-designed trap may perform poorly if it is improperly maintained or used in an unsuitable set.
BMP testing helps separate the performance of the equipment itself from individual assumptions or anecdotal experiences. By evaluating traps under standardized conditions, researchers can compare different designs and determine whether they consistently meet established performance criteria.
Reliable equipment also contributes to more selective and effective trapping. When a trap is properly matched to the target species and used correctly, it can reduce the number of missed opportunities and unnecessary disturbances at the set. For the trapper, this means less time spent resetting equipment and more confidence that the trap will perform as intended.
Efficiency, however, is not simply about catching the greatest number of animals. Responsible trapping requires a balance between effective capture, selectivity, animal welfare, and consistent performance. The best equipment is equipment that performs its intended function while meeting the broader standards established for responsible trapping.
4. Practicality
A trap may perform well in a laboratory but still be unrealistic for everyday field use.
BMP evaluations recognize that trapping equipment has to function outside of controlled testing environments. Trappers work in changing weather, uneven terrain, snow, mud, frozen ground, and other conditions that can affect equipment performance. A design that performs well under controlled conditions must also be practical enough to use, transport, maintain, and deploy in the field.
BMPs consider factors such as durability, ease of use, transportation, maintenance, and cost. These practical considerations matter because equipment that is difficult to set correctly, requires excessive maintenance, or does not hold up to repeated field use may have limited value regardless of how well it performs in testing.
Field practicality also includes the ability of trappers to consistently use equipment as intended. A trap that requires complicated procedures or specialized maintenance may produce different results when used by different people or under different conditions. Simple, dependable equipment can help improve consistency when properly applied.
Ultimately, BMP recommendations are intended to be useful beyond the testing environment. They provide guidance based on equipment that has been evaluated against established criteria while recognizing the realities faced by trappers working in real-world conditions.
The goal is not to identify equipment that performs well only under ideal circumstances. The goal is to identify equipment that can provide reliable, responsible performance when used properly by real trappers, in the environments where trapping actually takes place.
5. User Safety
Trapping equipment should also be safe for the people using it.
Researchers evaluate whether equipment can be set, transported, maintained, and operated safely by trained users. This is an important part of responsible trapping because traps can contain significant mechanical force and must be handled correctly throughout their use.
Safety considerations can include the design of the trap, the setting process, handling and transportation, maintenance requirements, and the potential for accidental activation. Clear instructions and proper training can help reduce the risk of injury while ensuring that equipment is used as intended.
Trapper safety also depends on using appropriate tools and techniques. Equipment should be inspected regularly for damage or excessive wear, and trappers should understand the specific characteristics of the traps they are using before placing them in the field.
BMP testing and evaluation help identify equipment that can meet established performance standards while remaining practical for trained users to handle. This reinforces an important principle of responsible trapping: equipment should be designed and used with consideration for both animal welfare and human safety.
Ultimately, effective trapping equipment should allow the trained trapper to perform the necessary tasks of setting, checking, maintaining, and removing the equipment in a controlled and predictable manner. Safe operation is an essential part of responsible field practice.
One Trap Does Not Fit Every Animal
One of the biggest misconceptions about trapping is the idea that every animal can be caught using the same trap.
That simply isn’t true.
Different species have different body sizes, foot sizes, behavior, travel patterns, and habitat preferences. A trap that is appropriately designed for one species may be poorly suited for another. The size and construction of the trap, the way the animal approaches a set, and the conditions in which the trap is used can all affect performance.
A trap designed for muskrats, for example, would not be appropriate for coyotes. A trap built for raccoons may not be recommended for fox. Even among foothold traps, wildlife agencies and BMP recommendations can identify differences in appropriate jaw spreads, spring strengths, chain systems, swivels, and anchoring methods depending on the species being targeted.
These differences are not simply about catching an animal. Proper equipment selection can influence selectivity, capture performance, animal welfare, and the safety of the trapper. Using equipment that is appropriately matched to the target species helps reduce the likelihood of unintended captures and improves the chances that the trap will perform as designed.
Species-specific recommendations are one of the reasons BMPs are organized around individual target species and trapping methods rather than treating all traps as interchangeable. A trap that meets established criteria for one species should not automatically be assumed to be appropriate for another.
Habitat and set location matter as well. The same trap can perform differently depending on whether it is placed along a trail, near a den, at a waterway, or in another location where the target animal is likely to travel. Proper placement, bait or lure selection, trap adjustment, and anchoring all work together with the equipment itself.
Selecting the proper trap is therefore one of the first responsibilities of a knowledgeable trapper. Understanding the target species and using equipment appropriate for that species is fundamental to effective, selective, and responsible trapping.
The Importance of Proper Trap Selection
The trap itself is only one part of responsible trapping.
Wildlife managers and experienced trappers also consider:
- The species being targeted.
- Local regulations.
- Habitat.
- Soil conditions.
- Weather.
- Trap placement.
- Anchoring systems.
- Chain length.
- Swivels.
- Daily trap checks required by law.
- Potential for non-target wildlife.
Using the wrong equipment—or using good equipment incorrectly—can reduce performance and increase unnecessary problems.
That is why education matters.
Education Makes Better Trappers
Many states, including North Dakota, offer Fur Harvester Education programs that teach trapping ethics, wildlife identification, regulations, trap selection, BMP recommendations, and responsible trapping techniques.
Learning why one trap is recommended over another helps new trappers understand that trapping is more than placing steel in the ground.
It requires knowledge of wildlife biology, animal behavior, equipment, regulations, and conservation.
Experienced trappers continue learning throughout their lives because equipment, research, and wildlife management continue to evolve.
BMPs Continue to Improve
One of the strengths of the BMP program is that it was never intended to be static.
As new trap designs become available and additional research is completed, recommendations can evolve.
This willingness to improve reflects an important principle of modern wildlife management:
Good conservation is based on evidence.
If better equipment becomes available, wildlife managers and responsible trappers should be willing to adopt it.
Continuous improvement benefits wildlife, trappers, and the public.
Why BMPs Matter
Best Management Practices demonstrate that modern trapping is not simply based on tradition.
It is supported by decades of scientific evaluation, veterinary involvement, and wildlife management research.
No trap is selected at random.
Responsible trappers choose equipment that matches the species they are targeting, follow state regulations, and rely on recommendations developed through extensive testing.
BMPs represent one of the clearest examples of how science, conservation, and practical field experience work together to improve modern trapping.
Why Volk Furs Supports BMPs
At Volk Furs, we believe responsible trapping begins long before a trap is ever set.
It starts with education, respect for wildlife, and using equipment that has been scientifically evaluated whenever possible.
We support Best Management Practices because they encourage continual improvement, responsible trap selection, and ethical trapping techniques.
For us, responsible trapping means understanding wildlife, choosing the right equipment for the right species, following state regulations, and respecting the renewable natural resources that have supported generations of outdoorsmen and women.
Research & Accuracy
This article was researched using publications from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, state wildlife agencies, and peer-reviewed research on trapping Best Management Practices.
BMP recommendations are intended to improve animal welfare, efficiency, selectivity, practicality, and user safety. Wildlife regulations vary by state, and trappers should always follow the laws and regulations applicable where they trap.
References
- Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Furbearer Management and Best Management Practices for Trapping.
https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-inspires/furbearer-management - Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Best Management Practices for Trapping Program.
https://www.fishwildlife.org/programs/furbearer-management - White, H. B., et al. Best Management Practices for Trapping Furbearers in the United States. Wildlife Monographs.
https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wmon.1057 - North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Fur Harvester Education.
https://gf.nd.gov/education/fur-harvester - North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Furbearer Regulations and Information.
https://gf.nd.gov/hunting/furbearers