PEIThe P.E.I. government is introducing changes to its regulations for trapping and snaring on the Island.One of the most significant changes is a ban on setting snares on public landsBrittany Spencer · CBC News · Posted: Sep 16, 2025 1:43 PM EDT | Last Updated: September 16Patricia Oulton found this coyote snare while searching for her lost dogs. (Submitted by Patricia Oulton)The P.E.I. government is making changes to rules and regulations for trapping and snaring on the Island. The Island’s fish and wildlife division is implementing the changes to encourage more humane trapping practices and to improve public safety by reducing the risk of pets or people accidentally getting caught in snares, the province said in a press release Tuesday.The changes will also include recommendations taken from a review of its policies that was done by the Canadian Wildlife Health Co-operative through the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2023. Some of the most significant changes include a ban on setting snares on public lands, as well as prohibiting the use of baited snares.Trappers will also have to complete ongoing training to maintain their certification and will have to use new snare designs that improve humaneness. Landowners will now be allowed to remove traps set on their property without permission.WATCH | P.E.I. changing provincial trapping and snaring rules:P.E.I. changing rules for trapping and snaring animalsChanges are being made to the rules for trapping and snaring on P.E.I. The province says this will help protect pets and encourage more humane trapping practices. CBC’s Connor Lamont reports.Garry Gregory, a wildlife biologist with P.E.I. Fish and Wildlife, said under the new regulations trappers will also have to get written permission from landowners every year to set snares on private land, and additional permission will be needed before traps can be set on private land. He said the hope is that this, along with the new changes prohibiting the use of baited snares and setting snares on public land, will have a big impact when it comes to protecting pets. “With reduced potential for those domestic animals to encounter the traps and snares, obviously there’s less risk of harmful effects to those animals,” Gregory said. As a result, he said, hopefully people who use these areas recreationally feel safer to enjoy these spaces without the fear of snares being there. Trying to achieve balanceAdvocates have been calling for changes to the regulations on P.E.I. for years, with some groups also calling for a ban of certain practices, including the use of snares, citing the number of people and pets who have been caught in the devices in recent years.Brad Potter, manager of P.E.I. Fish and Wildlife, said he believes the new regulations will help to improve fur trapping practices on the Island and strike the balance between maintaining the industry and addressing public concerns. “This is a pretty complicated topic and there are polarizing views,” said Potter.He said the province is trying to “achieve a balance here by preserving and maintaining the activity, while certainly understanding and appreciating public concern for some of the aspects of this, particularly conflict with domestic pets.”‘With reduced potential for those domestic animals to encounter the traps and snares, obviously there’s less risk of harmful effects to those animals,’ says Garry Gregory, wildlife biologist with P.E.I.’s fish and wildlife division. (CBC)The founder of Atlantic Canada Animal Advocacy said she sees the changes as a step in the right direction.”It’s the first step of an important journey, of treating animals in the province with less cruelty and more kindness,” Rene Lombard said. “And hopefully moving toward more recognized scientific methods in co-existing with animals like coyotes and beavers.”Lombard said her ultimate goal is to keep trapping as a “last final resort.”The number of trappers in P.E.I. is getting smaller, but Potter said they provide an important public service when it comes to wildlife management. He said it’s important to ensure regulations help trappers maintain their skills while also promoting public safety and humane practices.The changes to the new training requirements for trappers will begin this upcoming season and be fully phased in by 2029.All other changes to the regulations will be effective for the upcoming trapping and snaring season.ABOUT THE AUTHORBrittany Spencer is a multi-platform journalist with CBC P.E.I. You can reach her at brittany.spencer@cbc.caWith files from Connor Lamont
Changes to P.E.I.’s rules for trapping and snaring come into effect this season
