Vermont Fish and Wildlife said regulated trapping on land and in water opens October 24, 2026. Sets on land for fox, coyote and raccoon run through December 2026 and those in water or under ice for beaver, muskrat and otter run through March 2027 as the animals have numbers that allow yearly fur and food harvest.

A biologist urged fall and winter recreationists to learn the dates and expect trappers on public land or permitted private land. Board rules from December 2023 call for traps that lessen animal injury plus steps that cut pet and user clashes. Pets rarely get caught by legal operators with site guidance on release plus warden reports after freeing, and interfering with legal traps is unlawful so suspected issues go to wardens.