Trapping Regulations
Animal matter may not be used as bait within 20 feet of a trap unless it is covered.
Bait must be covered in such a way as to withstand wave action, wind action and other normal environmental conditions that could cause it to become visible.
All traps, snares or cable-restraint devices for taking furbearing animals must have one of the following affixed to the device:
Legible name and address of trap user.
Vehicle operator's license number of trap user.
AGFC customer identification number of trap user.
Current vehicle license number (registered to the trap user).
Nondrowning sets with foothold traps, snares and box traps must be checked daily. Kill traps must be checked at least every 72 hours.
Foothold Traps
Foothold traps must be smooth-jawed.
Foothold traps on land must have a jaw spread no greater than 6 inches (measured from the inside edge at the dog).
Foothold traps in water sets must have a jaw spread no greater than 8.5 inches (measured from the inside edge at the dog).
Foothold traps with a jaw spread greater than 5 inches (measured from the inside edge at the dog) must have offset or rubber-padded jaws.
Body-gripping Traps
Body-gripping traps on land must have a jaw spread no greater than 6 inches.
Body-gripping traps in water sets must have a jaw spread no greater than 10 inches.
Box Traps
Box traps may be used for land and water sets.
Box traps no larger than 8 inches wide and 10 inches high may be used to trap rabbits. No more than eight rabbit traps may be used at one time.
Wood or wire traps may not be used to take game birds.
Licensed trappers may use box traps of any size during furbearer season.
Snares
Leg snares are illegal in Arkansas.
Snares are allowed in water sets.
Snares placed on land, farther than 20 feet from a permanent body of water must have a functional “deer lock” that prevents them from closing smaller than 2.5 inches. Land snares must have a single-piece lock and must be braided cable with a loop no larger than 12 inches in diameter and the bottom of the loop no higher than 10 inches from the ground.
Snares may not be set or maintained in a public road right-of-way or touch any fence when fully extended.
Licenses Needed to Hunt and Trap Furbearers
Furbearer hunters and trappers 16 and older must have a valid Arkansas hunting license.
Resident trappers 16 and older must have a valid Resident Trapper Permit in addition to their hunting license. This permit is free.
Nonresident trappers 16 and older must have a valid Nonresident Trapper Permit in addition to their hunting license.
