Environmental Registry of Ontario proposal 025-0781 introduced on Aug. 20, would, if approved, ease regulatory and administrative burdens for Ontario’s trappers and fur dealers and enable increased economic opportunities.
It proposes changes that would enable licensed fur dealers to lawfully sell raw beaver castoreum.
Further changes would remove reporting requirements of licensed fur dealers. Instead, they would be required to keep records on file for five years and make those available to the MNR on request. The ministry would retain the ability to add conditions to a licence, as needed, to address compliance issues.
The MNR is proposing changes that would enable trappers to humanely dispatch lawfully trapped furbearers after dark with any rimfire calibre firearm (including a rifle or a federally authorized pistol).
Lastly, changes are being proposed that would enable actions for protecting infrastructure on Crown land by trappers.
It is currently illegal to trap beaver on Crown land during the closed season, even where a beaver is threatening private property or critical infrastructure on Crown land. The MNR is proposing changes that would enable licensed trappers to trap beaver on Crown land during the closed season to protect property or infrastructure. The ministry will develop beaver management guidance to support trappers in proactively addressing threats to property or infrastructure before it becomes an immediate issue.
To read the proposal in full visit www.ero.ontario.ca and search ERO#025-0781.
The period for public comment ends on October 6.
Originally published in the Fall 2025 issue of Ontario Out Of Doors
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