If possible, complete steps 1-5.
In order to legally trap on someone else's property, you need a valid Massachusetts trapping license and a trap registration number. To get these, you first need to successfully complete a Trapper Education course (in Massachusetts or any state in the U.S., or online).
The Massachusetts Trapper Education course teaches Best Management Practices for trapping furbearers. The course covers basic techniques, legal methods, safety, and trapping ethics. MassWildlife offers Trapper Education Courses 3-4 times a year in different parts of the state. You should be prepared to travel to another part of the state to take the course. To be notified about upcoming courses, fill out a course notification form online or call the Hunter Education Program at (508) 389-7820.
You may complete the Massachusetts Trapper Education course. Alternatively, we accept all state trapper education certifications as well as the certificate earned by completing the North American Basic Trapper Course available online.
The Massachusetts course includes the training required to use Bailey and Hancock traps. Both a Trapper Education Certificate and a Bailey-Hancock Certificate are issued to students who successfully complete a Massachusetts Trapper Education course.
After passing a Trapper Education course, you can purchase a trapping license online through the MassFishHunt system or in person at a license vendor. A trapping license costs $36 for MA residents.
Trap Registration Certificates must be renewed every 2 years. To renew, log into MassFishHunt and click on Buy Licenses. There is a fee of $14 for an initial Trap Registration Certificate, and an $14 renewal fee.
The exam covers biology, handling, capture techniques, animal welfare, diseases, and parasites. You can prepare for the exam using the PAC Handbook available through MassWildlife. To get a copy of the PAC Handbook, send a check for $15 payable to the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to:
PAC Handbook
MassWildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Road
Westborough, MA 01581
When you are ready, you can take the Problem Animal Control exam at any MassWildlife location. Call the MassWildlife office nearest you to schedule a time to take the exam.
When you have passed the exam and you have your trap registration number, complete and send in the PAC application. At this point you must provide the customer ID number located on your trapping license (from step 2) and your Trap Registration Certificate number (from step 3).
If all of your applications materials are in order, MassWildlife will activate the option to buy a PAC license in the MassFishHunt system (up until this point, customers will not have the option of adding a PAC license to their cart). You can then buy your PAC license ($100 for Massachusetts residents, $200 for non-residents).
| Name | Fee | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Trapping License | $36 | each |
| Trap Registration Certificate | $14 | each |
| Problem Animal Control License for instate agents | $100 | each |
| Problem Animal Control License for out-of-state agents | $200 | each |
Download the attached PAC application. Complete the application and mail it to:
MassWildlife
ATTN: PAC
1 Rabbit Hill Road
Westborough, MA 01581
Do not fill out the form until you have completed all the criteria.
To become certified in coyote removal you must successfully complete a coyote class offered by MassWildlife. Only PAC agents who have completed this training may remove problem coyotes. However, any PAC agent can be hired to harass coyotes on behalf of a homeowner. For more details about the coyote class for PAC agents, please call MassWildlife at (508) 389-6300.
