Licenses

• All people who trap in the state of Illinois -- residents and nonresidents -- are required to have a license. Trapping licenses in Illinois are valid from January 1 of the year of purchase until March 31 of the following year and must be carried at all times when trapping. Those under the age of 18 in Illinois who wish to acquire a license must prove that they have completed a trapper education course provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
  
  

Seasons

• All animals that can be legally trapped in Illinois must be trapped during designated seasons. The start and end dates of trapping season change every year, so check yearly with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for information. Fur bearing animals such as raccoon, opossum, skunk, weasel, mink, muskrat, fox (red and gray), coyote and badger fall under the same season. Beaver and woodchuck (groundhog) each have their own individual seasons, with dates that vary from each other. Trapping can begin any time after sunrise and must end at sunset.
  
  

Zones

• Trapping regulations in Illinois are applicable by zone. Furbearer hunting is divided into a north and south zone. Areas north of U.S. Route 36 are in the north zone, and areas south of U.S. Route 36 are in the south zone. Seasons start and end on different days depending on the zone. As of 2011, the only other difference is that two badgers can be trapped in the north zone while only one can be trapped in the south zone.
  
  

Traps

• All traps must be checked at least once daily. In Illinois, it is unlawful to use spiked and toothed jaw traps at any time. It is illegal to have land leghold traps that have a jaw spread of over 6 1/2 inches. It is also illegal to use a land body-gripping trap that has a jaw spread of over 7 inches on one side if square, or 8 inches if round. In the water, it is illegal to use leghold traps that have a jaw spread of over 7 1/2 inches. It is also illegal to use body-gripping water traps that have a jaw spread greater than 10 inches if square, or 12 inches if round.
  
  

Basic Laws

• As of 2011, Illinois law places no limit on trapping animals except for badgers. This can change from year to year. Permission is required from a landowner to trap on his property. Trapping bobcats and river otters remains illegal. Bait, snare and pit trap regulations can vary by location (water or land) or by species. Laws can change every year, making it important to read updated rules and regulations.