Owner trapping nuisance muskrats, is it legal.

[Colin]

I've looked at the regs and I think I'm allowed to trap/shoot any muskrats on our own property. I believe all remains including furs must be disposed of in the garbage, basically not allowed to use any part of the animal.

Can anyone confirm that this is correct? When I called WDFW they gave me the run around.

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[lewy]

If it’s on your property, you can remove nuisance rodents

[Loup Loup]

In a nutshell: you or a family member or your agent may remove wildlife from your property year round without a permit.
The wildlife must be causing damage to property or stock. You may only use lawful methods. (No shooting no body gripping traps).
You may retain the pelts, but they cannot be sold.
Reference wac 220-440-060.
The current WDFW is not an accurate source for trapping reg info.

[GWP]

In a nutshell: you or a family member or your agent may remove wildlife from your property year round without a permit.
The wildlife must be causing damage to property or stock. You may only use lawful methods. (No shooting no body gripping traps).
You may retain the pelts, but they cannot be sold.
Reference wac 220-440-060.
The current WDFW is not an accurate source for trapping reg info.

Can your "agent" be someone that traps, and may they retain the furs?

[Loup Loup]

Your agent can use any lawful method of take. Does not need to be a licensed hunter or trapper.
Good question on ownership of the pelts. I suppose the landowner could gift the pelts to whomever they wanted to. Just my opinion on that.

[Humptulips]

You cannot retain the pelts outside of the trapping season unless you have a special trapping permit.
That may seem crazy but yes, March 31st to Nov. 1st, if you use cage traps you cannot retain the pelts. If you however have a Special Trapping Permit to use bodygripping traps you can retain the pelts for personal or educational purposes.

[JakeLand]

Easy trapping

[Katalla]

The DOD had a great policy awhile ago.,... Don't ask Don't tell.

It's applicable to lots of subjects.

[Humptulips]

The DOD had a great policy awhile ago.,... Don't ask Don't tell.

It's applicable to lots of subjects.

[Born2late]

You cannot retain the pelts outside of the trapping season unless you have a special trapping permit.
That may seem crazy but yes, March 31st to Nov. 1st, if you use cage traps you cannot retain the pelts. If you however have a Special Trapping Permit to use bodygripping traps you can retain the pelts for personal or educational purposes.

So if I trap them and want the meat do I skin it right where I trapped it and leave the hide?

[Humptulips]

You cannot retain the pelts outside of the trapping season unless you have a special trapping permit.
That may seem crazy but yes, March 31st to Nov. 1st, if you use cage traps you cannot retain the pelts. If you however have a Special Trapping Permit to use bodygripping traps you can retain the pelts for personal or educational purposes.

So if I trap them and want the meat do I skin it right where I trapped it and leave the hide?

No, you can't keep any of it if killed out of season. Same with all animals, bear, beaver, muskrat, moose, you can protect your life or property but if you kill it, you cannot keep it. Of course that doesn't include unclassified stuff like possum, skunk, nutria because there is no closed season.
With a Special Trapping Permit we convinced the Commission to let us keep them mainly because we plead, we needed them to help with Trapper Education classes during the off season so the rule came out a little more flexible.

[lewy]

You cannot retain the pelts outside of the trapping season unless you have a special trapping permit.
That may seem crazy but yes, March 31st to Nov. 1st, if you use cage traps you cannot retain the pelts. If you however have a Special Trapping Permit to use bodygripping traps you can retain the pelts for personal or educational purposes.

So if I trap them and want the meat do I skin it right where I trapped it and leave the hide?

I would just maybe not ask and just do. You are a free man, you killed a nuisance critter on your land and want to eat it, dont ask the government for permission

[Katalla]

Another policy that I adhere too: SSS