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Officials, biologists outline trapping seasons and limits; residents voice safety concerns
Summary
DEC staff reviewed legal trapping and hunting seasons and explained local limitations; residents asked about foothold-trap risks, pet safety and village-level restrictions on hunting or trapping in parks.
DEC presenters said regulated hunting and trapping are part of the state’s management toolbox but cautioned that trapping alone rarely solves neighborhood problems. "As a general rule of thumb, we have a coyote hunting season from October to the end of March, and then we have a trapping season from October to February 15," Wes Mason said, adding that outside the regulated season DEC handles nuisance incidents case-by-case.
Speakers stressed that trapping in Westchester typically uses foothold traps rather than box-style traps; a DEC staffer said, "In Westchester County, it'd have to be foothold traps," and explained those traps were developed and evaluated to reduce injury. Residents expressed concern that traps can catch family pets and children; trustees noted village and park codes often restrict discharge of firearms and limit hunter/trapper access to parks and private lands. Biologists and trustees suggested the village study a data-driven approach (population surveys or Snapshot New York camera deployments) before expanding lethal control programs or licensing additional trappers.
