Description
Set, monitor, and retrieve traps to capture wild animals for fur harvest, nuisance removal, or wildlife management; track and handle animals humanely, follow regulations, and prepare pelts and equipment.
- • Patrol trap lines to check sets, remove catch, and reset or relocate traps.
- • Obtain permission from landowners to trap on private land.
- • Travel on foot or by vehicle, snowmobile, small boat, or skis to reach trapping areas.
- • Select, bait, and set traps according to target species, habits, and habitat.
- • Track animals by signs such as tracks, droppings, trails, and damage.
- • Release non-target animals safely and in compliance with regulations.
- • Dispatch or immobilize captured animals using lawful, humane methods.
- • Skin, flesh, stretch, and cure pelts; grade and label hides.
- • Wash and sort pelts by species, color, and quality.
- • Maintain, clean, and repair traps, snares, cables, stakes, and tools.
- • Prepare and handle lures and baits; store materials safely.
- • Keep records of catch, set locations, effort, and required reports.
- • Obtain required permits and approvals; post notices where required.
- • Educate or guide clients and landowners on trapping methods, safety, and regulations.
- • Perform nuisance wildlife control, damage mitigation, and disease surveillance.
- • Load, unload, and transport traps, baits, pelts, and animals.
- • Maintain vehicles and off-road equipment; perform minor repairs.
- • Interpret weather, terrain, ice, and water conditions to plan safe operations.
- • Mark trap sites with flags, stakes, or GPS; comply with tagging rules.
- • Clean and sanitize knives, work areas, and equipment after use.
- • Communicate with buyers, fur auctions, or agencies and arrange sales or transfers.
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Agriculture
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
