Header photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Game Commission

​FURBEARER MANAGEMENT IN THE NORTHEAST
CONSERVEWILDLIFE.ORG

ABOUT US

People have continuously used furbearers in North America for clothing, food, and religious ceremonies for the past 11,000 years. Today, whether in an industrial, urban, rural, or remote setting trapping and fur are still of cultural and economic importance and furbearers continue to be utilized and managed as valuable renewable natural resources.
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Regulated trapping today plays a multi-dimensional role in the management of wildlife and the use of natural resources. Trapping is also a controversial issue in society. This website is designed to provide you with information and perspective on this subject.

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation​

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation provides the core principles guiding wildlife management and conservation decisions in the Canada and the United States. Although its authors consider it historical rather than prescriptive, it has been widely accepted by wildlife professionals, incorporated into US state agencies, and endorsed by professional organizations and teaching institutions. The seven core principles are:
  1. Wildlife as Public Trust Resources (i.e., wildlife is held in trust for the public by state and federal governments).
  2. Elimination of Markets for Game (i.e., unregulated economic markets for game and nongame wildlife are unacceptable as they privatize a public resource).
  3. Allocation of Wildlife by Law (i.e., democratic processes and public input into law-making ensure access to wildlife is equitable).
  4. Wildlife Should Only be Killed for a Legitimate Purpose (i.e., for food, fur, self-defense and the protection of property including livestock).
  5. Wildlife is Considered an International Resource (i.e., wildlife does not exist only within fixed political boundaries and effective management requires treaties and cooperation of management agencies).
  6. Science is the Proper Tool for Discharge of Wildlife Policy (i.e., science based on facts, professional experience and commitment to shared underlying principles – rather than the interests of hunting, stocking or culling of predators – is the basis for informed management and decision-making processes).
  7. Democracy of Hunting (i.e., open access by citizens in good standing to hunting results in many societal benefits).

The Northeast Furbearer Resources Technical Committee (NEFRTC)

State and Provincial wildlife agencies manage furbearer populations for the benefit of all citizens who hold diverse and often contrary opinions, and we must therefore balance many objectives simultaneously. We respond to and respect the diversity of people and cultures and their values toward wildlife resources. Our primary mission and objectives including preserving and sustaining furbearer populations for their biological, ecological, economic, aesthetic and subsistence values, as well as for recreational, scientific and educational purposes for present and future generations.
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The NEFRTC is comprised of professional wildlife biologists from 6 eastern Canadian provinces and 13 northeastern United States.
  • Northeastern United States
  • Eastern Canadian Provinces
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Connecticut Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection
www.ct.gov/deep 
Jason Hawley
jason.hawley@ct.gov
 
Delaware REC Division of Fish and Wildlife
www.fw.delaware.gov
Vacant

Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
www.maine.gov/ifw/
Shevenell Webb
shevenell.webb@maine.gov
 
Maryland DNR, Wildlife & Heritage Services
www.dnr.maryland.gov 
Joshua Tabora
joshua.tabora@maryland.gov
 
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
www.masswildlife.org 
Dave Wattles
dave.wattles@state.ma.us

New Hampshire Fish & Game
www.nhfishandgame.com
Patrick Tate
patrick.tate@wildlife.nh.gov

​​New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife
www.njfishandwildlife.com
Peter Stark
peter.stark@dep.nj.gov
 
New York Dept. Environmental Conservation
www.dec.ny.gov 
Mandy Watson
mandy.watson@dec.ny.gov
 
Pennsylvania Game Commission
www.pgc.state.pa.us 
Tom Keller
thkeller@pa.gov
 
Rhode Island Dept. Environmental Management, Division of Fish & Wildlife
www.dem.ri.gov 
Morgan Lucot
Morgan.Lucot.CTR@dem.ri.gov
 
Vermont Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
www.vtfishandwildlife.com 
Brehan Furfey
brehan.furfey@vermont.gov
 
Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources
www.dwr.virginia.gov 
Michael Fies
mike.fies@dwr.virginia.gov
 
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
www.wvdnr.gov 
Holly Morris
holly.n.morris@wv.gov
New Brunswick Dept. of Energy & Resource Development
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/erd.html
Jonathan Cormier
jonathan.cormier@gnb.ca
 
Newfoundland Dept. of Environment & Conservation
www.gov.nl.ca/environment-wildlife
Bruce Rodrigues
brucerodries@gov.nl.ca
 
Nova Scotia Natural Resources, Wildlife Div.
www.novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife
Lee Millett
lee.millett@novascotia.ca
 
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
www.mnr.gov.on.ca
Aaron Walpole
Aaron.Walpole@ontario.ca
 
Prince Edward Island Dept. Communities, Land & Environment – Fish & Wildlife Section
www.gov.pe.ca 
Garry Gregory
ggregory@gov.pe.ca
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Quebec Forest, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department
www.mffp.gouv.qc.ca
Emmanuel Dalpe-Charron
emmanuel.dalpe-charron@mffp.gouv.qc.ca

Other Links

​Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies - Furbearer Management
Canadian Wildlife Services
Fur Institute of Canada
Fur Takers of America
National Trappers Association
The Wildlife Society
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Wildlife Services
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Benefits of Trapping
Wildlife Conservation Society
WILDLIFEHELP.ORG

Publications

​Trapping and Furbearer Management in North American Wildlife Conservation