IMPORTANT

Proposed Regulatory Changes - Engagement Closes October 5, 2026


The Ministry has released a set of proposed regulatory changes that will affect trapping practices and wildlife stewardship across BC.

Read the Ministry Regulation Proposal Here

Ministry Proposal #1:
Prohibitions on Killing Traps and Foothold Traps Set on Land

The proposal would prohibit the use of killing traps and foothold traps set on land within:

  • B.C. Parks Front Country areas

  • 1 km of a B.C. Parks campground or day‑use area

  • 1 km of the developed portion of a Ministry of Forests Recreation Site or Trail

  • 30 m of the right‑of‑way of a Forest Service Road or Highway

Proposal #2:
Mandatory Signage Within Municipal Boundaries

Trappers would be required to install signs notifying the public of active trapping on all lands within municipal boundaries.

Proposal #3:
Mandatory Reporting of Domestic Animals

Trappers would be required to report any domestic animals (e.g., dogs or cats) incidentally caught in traps.

The BC Trappers Association Board has completed a full review and submitted a formal response. The Board CANNOT and WILL NOT Support the Proposals as Presented

The Ministry’s Targeted Approach

The proposals impose obligations only on licensed trappers, even though any private landowner can legally purchase and set traps without licensing, training, or oversight.

This is a selective regulatory burden that ignores the actual source of most pet incidents: uncontrolled pets.

Lack of Engagement

The Ministry provided only 31 days to respond to a regulatory package that would significantly restrict access to registered traplines, devalue tenure, and impose broad, impractical obligations. This timeline does not reflect good‑faith consultation and suggests the Ministry is advancing a predetermined outcome.

The consultation referenced from 2025 does not cover the specific setback distances now proposed. The Board has formally requested an immediate extension and insists that no regulatory amendments proceed until a transparent, legitimate, and comprehensive consultation process occurs.

The Ministry has ceased meaningful engagement with the BCTA and is attempting to advance regulations that would, in practice, obstruct lawful trapline operations and interfere with commercial trapping activities across BC.

Lack of Evidence

The Ministry has not provided supporting data, incident records, or analysis demonstrating that the proposed restrictions would improve public safety, wildlife outcomes, or conflict reduction.

The Board sited clear evidence from the BC SPCA, The Fur Bearers, and the Fur Institute of Canada demonstrating that the underlying issue is irresponsible pet ownership, not commercial trapping.

BC has disproportionately high pet incidents compared to provinces with more active trappers - even when adjusted for licensing.

Operational & Practical Concerns

  • The Board emphasizes that the proposals represent broad prohibitions rather than targeted solutions, do not reflect collaborative engagement, and leave the public uninformed and unaccountable on Crown land.

  • The proposals do not reflect the realities of commercial trapping. They disregard existing regulations governing trap design and use, and place disproportionate responsibility on trappers while assigning none to the public or other industries operating on Crown land.

  • The proposed setback distances are broad, difficult to interpret, and may be unworkable in many landscapes.

  • Signage requirements within municipal boundaries are unclear, potentially burdensome, and may not achieve the intended outcome.

  • Reporting requirements for domestic animals need clearer definitions, processes, and alignment with existing regulations.

The Board stressed that unclear or impractical rules risk creating confusion, compliance challenges, and unintended impacts on wildlife management.

What did the BCTA Recommend

The Board requested that the Ministry:

  • Provide evidence‑based justification for any regulatory change.

  • Engage directly with trappers and regional representatives before finalizing proposals.

  • Clarify ambiguous requirements and reconsider setback distances that may not reflect real‑world conditions.

  • Revisit and refine the proposals to ensure they are practical, enforceable, and aligned with wildlife stewardship goals.

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