Trapping Licences & Concessions

You must have a valid annual trapping licence or assistant trapper licence to trap in the Yukon. Current licences are valid July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.

LICENCE FEES

Requirements

Trapping licence

To be eligible for a trapping licence you must hold a trapping concession and meet the requirements applying to concession holders (see page 3).

Assistant trapper licence

A n assistant trapper licence may be issued to a qualified person at the request of a trapping concession holder.

An assistant trapper licence may also be canceled at the request of the concession holder.

To be eligible for an assistant trapper licence you must:

• be at least 16 years old,
• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident whose principal residence has been in the Yukon for at least 12 months immediately before applying for a licence, and who has been physically present in the Yukon for at least 185 days during that period, or who qualifies under a Residency Exemption form.
• have written consent from the holder of the trapping concession on which you plan to trap, and
• graduate from a recognized trapper training workshop. (Trappers over 65 years of age who have previously held a trapping licence or assistant trapper licence are exempt from this requirement.)

Cancelling an assistant trapper licence

A trapping concession holder can cancel an assistant trapper licence by completing a form available at Environment Yukon offices and submitting it to a Conservation Officer. The cancellation will take effect 10 days after the Conservation Officer notifies the assistant trapper.

Residency Requirements

Yukon residents who maintain a home and family in the Yukon and who file their taxes in the Yukon but who must leave the territory for work, to attend school or for medical reasons can apply for a trapping licence or assistant trapper licence through the new Residency Exemption form.

Trapping Concessions

CONCESSION FEES

You can hold only one trapping concession at a time. Trapping concessions may be granted to a partnership or a group if all members are qualified.

Requirements

To be eligible for a trapping concession you must:

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident whose principal residence has been in the Yukon for at least 12 months immediately before applying for a concession, and who has been physically present in the Yukon for at least 185 days during that period, or who qualifies under a Residency Exemption form,
• demonstrate to a Conservation Officer that you are able to run a trapping concession as required by the Wildlife Act and regulations,
• be at least 16 years of age,
• have no convictions for significant wildlife offences,
• be eligible for a Yukon hunting licence, and
• graduate from a recognized trapper education workshop. (Trappers over 65 years of age who have previously held a trapping licence or assistant trapper licence are exempt from this requirement.)

Probationary Concession

• A Probationary Concession may be granted to someone who has not held a concession before.
• A Probationary Concession gives you the exclusive right to trap in that area for one year. Unless it is cancelled, a Concession runs out on the next March 31 after it was issued.
• A Probationary Concession may be renewed twice if a longer probationary period is warranted, or upgraded to a Full Term Concession, at the discretion of the Minister of Environment. You must apply for renewal of a Concession at least 30 days before its expiry date.

Full Term Concession

• A Full Term Concession gives you the exclusive right to trap in that area for five years. Full Term Concession runs out on March 31, five years after it was granted or renewed.
• You will receive 90 days’ notice of your concession’s expiry by registered or certified mail. The notice will be sent to the address given on your last application, or another address if given in writing to Environment Yukon.
• You must apply for renewal of a Full Term Concession within the 90 day period before its expiry date if you wish to be considered before anyone else.
• When an application is received, the concession may be renewed for five more years, or a period of less than five years if the applicant has violated the Wildlife Act or the Minister believes it is necessary for wildlife conservation or public interest. Before renewing the concession for a period less than five years the Minister must refer the application to the Concession and Compensation Review Board.

Concession cancellations and non-renewals

A concession may be cancelled or not renewed if:

• the applicant is convicted of using poison, interfering with traps, wasting pelts or using unlawful weapons,
• it is recommended by the local Renewable Resources Council or Conservation Officer due to lack of use,
• it is necessary for the conservation of wildlife anywhere in the trapping area,
• it is necessary to protect the public interest, or
• the applicant does not meet the trapping concession requirements.