National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011

• 8 - Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations
• 84 - Workers in natural resources, agriculture and related production
• 844 - Other workers in fishing and trapping and hunting occupations

8442 - Trappers and hunters

Trappers and hunters trap and hunt wild animals for pelts or live sale. They are usually self-employed and work on a seasonal basis.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • fur trapper
  • game trapper
  • hunter
  • sealer
  • trapper

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Animal control trappers or nuisance control trappers (See 7444 Pest controllers and fumigators)
  • Hunting guides (See 6532 Outdoor sport and recreational guides)

• Main duties

  Trappers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Set traps with bait and position traps along trails
  • Operate snowmobiles or travel on foot, snowshoes or skis to patrol trapline
  • Remove catch and reset traps and snares
  • Kill and skin catch for pelts, and treat and pack pelts for marketing
  • Trap live animals for sale to buyers or for relocation purposes
  • Maintain and repair trapping equipment
  • Maintain trails and access to trapping lines
  • Trap designated animals for bounty or other control programs
  • May monitor animal population in the trapping regions to ensure future sustainability.

  Hunters perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate boats or snowmobiles or travel on foot to reach hunting areas
  • Kill wild animals using firearms or other weapons
  • Skin dead animals for pelts using knives
  • Treat, pack and transport pelts to processing plants or to public auctions
  • Maintain hunting equipment
  • May monitor animal population in the hunting regions to ensure future sustainability.

  Trappers and hunters may specialize in trapping or hunting a particular kind of animal.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of trapping or hunting courses may be required in some provinces.
  • A provincial trapping or hunting licence may be required.

• Additional information

  • In some jurisdictions, trappers may be allocated trapping areas based on their experience.