New trapping restrictions announced for public lands

New trapping restrictions set aside public areas for both trappers and non-trappers to enjoy the outdoors, while also helping to prevent injuries to domestic animals.

Trapping will be restricted on an additional 800 hectares (1,977 acres) of public land identified by the Government of Prince Edward Island in cooperation with the PEI Trapper’s Association. There are now 3,525 hectares (8,710 acres) of public land in the province that are closed to trapping.

“Our department recognizes that furbearer trapping plays an important role in wildlife management as well as the economy and culture of Prince Edward Island,” Communities, Land and Environment Minister Robert Mitchell said. “Most public lands are open to all outdoor enthusiasts, and we need to minimize potential conflict between public use and trapping as much as possible.”

The land chosen for trapping restriction was selected because it is used for activities including dog walking, hiking and snowshoeing. Sites that are including under the new trapping restrictions include areas of:

• New Harmony Demo woodlot;
• Auburn Demo woodlot;
• Valleyfield Demo woodlot;
• Camp Tamawabe Demo woodlot;
• Brookvale demo woodlot;
• Boughton River Trail Natural Area;
• Murray River Pines Natural Area;
• Gairloch Road trails, a property within the Winter River Trail network;
• Royalty Oaks Natural Area;
• Beach Grove Natural Area; and
• Bonshaw Hills Wilderness Park.

These restrictions are effective immediately and signage is now in place to inform trappers and land users of these restrictions. For more information, visit Trapping in Prince Edward Island.

Media contact:
Amber Nicholson
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Communities, Land and Environment
amnicholson@gov.pe.ca
902-368-5286