Vermont’s trapping season begins on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Trapping season in Vermont − always a concern for pet owners who like to take to the woods − begins on Saturday, Oct. 26, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

Traps can be set on land for species such as fisher, coyote and raccoon through December, and in the water or under ice for species such as beaver, muskrat and otter through next March. All of these species have healthy populations in Vermont, according to Fish and Wildlife, and can sustain regulated trapping for fur and food each year.

“If you plan to enjoy Vermont’s outdoors this fall and winter it is important to know when trapping season is open and to be aware that trappers may be using the same public lands, or with landowner permission, private lands,” Brehan Furfey, wildlife biologist and furbearer project leader, said in a statement. “Vermont has had regulated trapping seasons for decades and Vermont hikers, hunters, skiers, trappers and others have a good track record of sharing the same landscape safely and respectfully.”

It’s rare for pets to be caught in a trap, but there are videos that show how to release them if they are

Vermont Fish and Wildlife adopted amended regulations in December 2023 that requires trappers to follow safety measure to minimize conflicts with pets and other outdoor users. It’s rare for pets to be caught by law-abiding trappers, but nevertheless, Fish and Wildlife has several videos on its website that show how to free pets from various types of traps. Anyone whose pet is caught in a trap should report the incident to a game warden after freeing their pet.