More than two dozen Vermont representatives are sponsoring a bill that would outlaw the trapping of furbearing animals with only a couple of exceptions. 

House Bill 191 would “prohibit the trapping of furbearing animals unless the person trapping is authorized to trap in order to defend property or agricultural crops or the trapping is conducted by a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator.” The bill also would establish a “nuisance wildlife trapping license.” 

If passed, recreational trapping in Vermont would be over. The bill was introduced February 7, 2023, read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Environment and Energy. It would allow municipal, state or federal trappers to trap “in order to address an imminent health or safety threat or an imminent threat to property.” Private property owners could hire professional nuisance trappers licensed by the state.