Indiana Expands Bobcat Harvest to Hunting With a 400-Animal Quota, While Most Furbearer Trapping Opens November 8 or 15
November 15, 2026
Trapping season in Indiana 2026-27 starts on Oct. 15 for fox and coyote, and the biggest change is bobcat. The DNR has expanded bobcat harvest to include hunting alongside trapping, and the statewide quota is now 400 animals.
This article gives you the dates, limits, license rules, trap standards, and reporting deadlines in the order you will need them. Where the Indiana Administrative Code or DNR publishes a figure, it is linked. Where it does not, the rule is stated in general terms and you are pointed to the DNR guide.
Trapping Season Dates in Indiana 2026-27
Indiana’s trapping dates run by species, from mid-October through mid-March. The DNR 2026-27 seasons sheet is the official calendar.
- Fox: opens Oct. 15, 2026, with trapping running to Jan. 31, 2027
- Raccoon and opossum: Nov. 8, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027
- Bobcat: Nov. 8, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027, closing early if the quota is reached
- Beaver and river otter: Nov. 15, 2026 to March 15, 2027 on the DNR sheet, with the otter season closing early if the quota is reached
Mink, muskrat, and long-tailed weasel have their own trapping window. Check the next section and the DNR sheet before you set anything.
Furbearer Trapping Season Dates by Species in Indiana
Species dates differ, so match each set to the right window. Indiana eRegulations lists the 2026-27 hunting side of the furbearer table.
| Species | Hunting Dates | Trapping Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Red and gray fox | Oct. 15, 2026 to Feb. 28, 2027 | Trapping window ends earlier, Jan. 31, 2027 |
| Coyote and striped skunk | Oct. 15, 2026 to March 15, 2027 | Same dates for trapping |
| Raccoon and opossum | Nov. 8, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027 | Dog-running chase season has no trapping |
| Beaver | Nov. 15, 2026 to March 15, 2027 | Same dates for trapping |
| Bobcat | Nov. 8, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027 | Designated counties; early closure at quota |
| River otter | Trapping only | Season may close early at the statewide quota |
The otter and bobcat seasons are quota-driven, so the closing date can move up without much notice.
What’s New for the 2026-27 Trapping Season in Indiana
Bobcat is the headline change. WBIW reported that the DNR expanded harvest to include hunting alongside trapping and raised the statewide quota to 400 bobcats.
Once the season opens Nov. 8, you can watch the running tally online or by calling 317-232-4200. The season closes early if the quota is reached before Jan. 31.
Pro Tip: Call the quota line the morning you plan to run a bobcat set. A closed season means any bobcat caught afterward is a violation, not a harvest.
Trapping Zones, Units and Open Counties in Indiana
Indiana does not divide furbearer trapping into numbered zones. Most species are open statewide, and the county question applies to bobcat.
The bobcat trapping rule at 312 IAC 9-3-18.1 limits trapping to a list of named counties, starting with Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Clay, and Crawford. The DNR points you to the Hunting and Trapping Guide for the current county list, so confirm your county there before setting a trap.
River otter trapping has been opened statewide by recent DNR rule action, as shown in the Natural Resources Commission interim rule.
Species You Can Trap Year-Round in Indiana
Indiana has no year-round regulated furbearer trapping season. The DNR notes that not every furbearer has a regulated trapping season, and fur-bearing species can only be trapped inside their listed windows.
Outside those windows, the route is nuisance wildlife control, covered near the end of this article. Do not treat a landowner’s complaint as a way to run a recreational line out of season.
Trapping License and Permit Requirements in Indiana
You need a trapping license to trap furbearers, unless a statutory exemption applies. For bobcat, the rule lists a resident bobcat license under IC 14-22-12-1(a)(36) among the licenses that qualify, and it makes an exception for those covered by IC 14-22-11-1.
River otter trapping requires a valid Indiana trapping license, either a resident yearly trapping license or a nonresident yearly trapping license, per the Indiana Register rule text. A youth consolidated license to hunt and trap also appears in the bobcat licensing list.
- Resident yearly trapping license
- Nonresident yearly trapping license
- Resident youth consolidated hunt and trap license
- Bobcat-specific license where the rule calls for it
Fees change, so buy through the DNR license system and read the price there.
Trapper Education Requirements in Indiana
The DNR runs trapper education through department staff and certified instructors across the state, as described in the NRC rule document. Education is aimed at selective sets and animal welfare.
Check the DNR’s trapper education page for whether your license category requires a course and for class schedules. Even if you are not required to attend, the class is the fastest way to learn legal trap sizes and set rules.
Nonresident Trapping in Indiana
Nonresidents can trap in Indiana with a nonresident yearly trapping license. The same species dates, quotas, and county limits that apply to residents apply to you.
Bobcat and river otter bag limits count toward your season limit wherever you live. Residency does not change the 2026-27 quota-driven closures.
Trapping vs. Hunting Furbearers in Indiana
Hunting and trapping seasons overlap but do not match. Fox and coyote hunting both run longer than fox trapping, and the raccoon dog-running season is chase only with no hunting or trapping.
Bobcat is now the clearest overlap: the DNR lists it as open to hunting and trapping, and it counts against a single 400-animal quota. Otter remains trapping only.
If you also pursue deer during the same weeks, our Indiana deer hunting season guide covers the firearm dates of Nov. 14-29, 2026, which overlap with prime trapline time.
Bag Limits, Quotas and Season Limits for Trapping in Indiana
| Species | Limit | Quota |
|---|---|---|
| River otter | 2 per person per season | 750 statewide; season may close earlier |
| Bobcat | 1 per person per season | 400 statewide; season may close earlier |
| Fox, coyote, raccoon, beaver, mink, muskrat | No limit listed | None |
The otter limit comes from the Indiana river otter rule, which also says that if you set the trap that caught the otter, it counts toward your limit.
If you catch a bobcat or otter alive and it is not counted toward your limit, you must release it where it was captured immediately after discovering it.
Legal Traps, Snares and Cable Restraints in Indiana
For bobcat, the rule allows three methods: a cage trap, a foothold trap permitted under 312 IAC 9-3-18, or a snare permitted under that section with a relaxing snare lock, per the NRC rulemaking record.
General trap size and type limits for all species sit in 312 IAC 9-3-18. A 330 Conibear, which typically measures 10 by 10 inches, must be fully submerged in water under that rule, according to Michiana Outdoors News. That reporting is older, so check the current rule text before you rely on it.
Banned Traps and Trap Restrictions in Indiana
Foothold traps with saw-toothed or spiked jaws are already illegal under 312 IAC 9-3-18, according to the NRC rulemaking record cited above.
Method limits are tied to species. A bobcat cannot legally be taken with traps outside the three listed methods, and you may not trap a bobcat after your limit is reached, outside the season, or in a county where the season is not open.
Pro Tip: Run your trap list against 312 IAC 9-3-18 before opening day. Gear that was legal in another state may not be legal here.
Trap Check Requirements and Trapping Hours in Indiana
Indiana’s statute on trap checks, IC 14-22-6-4, requires you to check these types of traps every 24 hours, as cited in the NRC rulemaking record. Plan your line so you can reach every set daily.
Indiana’s seasons sheet and rules do not set a statewide nighttime restriction for the species listed here. Confirm any area-specific hour limits for DNR properties in the Hunting and Trapping Guide.
Trap Tags, Labeling and Marking Requirements in Indiana
Indiana trap labeling rules are in the trapping statutes and rules administered by the DNR. The sources reviewed for this article do not give the exact label wording, so read the current Hunting and Trapping Guide on eRegulations before you tag your gear.
Whatever the wording, label every trap and snare you set so a conservation officer can identify the owner.
Bait, Lure and Set Restrictions in Indiana
Set restrictions are mostly about trap type and water. The submerged Conibear rule is the best-known example, and bobcat sets are limited to cage traps, legal footholds, and relaxing-lock snares.
Bait and lure rules beyond that are in the DNR guide. Keep sets selective so you reduce nontarget catches.
Trapping on Public Land vs. Private Land in Indiana
Public land access depends on the property. The seasons sheet notes that bag limits vary on some DNR properties and that some DNR areas are more restrictive, so read the property-specific rules before you set a line.
On private land, state season dates and species rules apply, plus anything the landowner adds.
Landowner Permission for Trapping in Indiana
Get permission before you step onto private ground, and carry it with you. A written note with the owner’s name, phone number, and the dates you cover saves a lot of trouble with a conservation officer.
Ask which fields, ditches, and culverts are off limits, and where livestock or pets are likely to be.
Trap Setbacks From Roads, Trails and Homes in Indiana
The sources reviewed do not publish a single setback distance for roads, trails, or dwellings. Do not guess at one.
Use judgment: keep sets away from public trails, road shoulders, and yards, and consult the DNR guide and any county or municipal ordinance before setting near them.
Protected Species and Nontarget Catches in Indiana
If you catch a bobcat or river otter alive that you cannot or will not count, release it where you caught it as soon as you find it. The same duty applies once your limit is full.
Trap selection is your main tool for avoiding nontarget animals. The NRC record describes trapping as highly selective based on the size and placement of the trap.
Pelt Tagging, Sealing and Harvest Reports in Indiana
Bobcat requires check-in and a federal tag. The pelt must be presented to a designated DNR employee or official furbearer registration station within 15 days following the month of harvest for inspection and CITES tagging, per the WBIW report on the DNR announcement. Station locations are listed at on.IN.gov/bobcat-season.
You must also keep the electronic harvest confirmation number with the bobcat until it is checked in, under 312 IAC 9-3-18.1.
For river otter, you must keep the animal and deliver the skinned hide and carcass, including the head, to a DNR employee or official checking station within 15 days after the month of harvest.
Lower Jaw and Tooth Sample Requirements in Indiana
Otter requires delivery of the carcass with the head, which lets the DNR collect biological data at check-in. That is why you cannot discard the carcass.
The sources reviewed do not list a separate lower-jaw or tooth-sample rule for other species. Ask the check-in staff what they need when you register an animal.
Selling Furs and Fur Dealer Rules in Indiana
Bobcat hides and parts can now be sold. The NRC’s regulatory analysis explains that the rule amendments allow any part of a bobcat to be sold, after trappers asked for the ability to sell hides and parts.
River otter is different. The otter rule bars selling an otter taken in the trapping season, including the hide and any other part. Fur buyer licensing is handled under 312 IAC 9-10-12.
| Species | Sale of Hide and Parts |
|---|---|
| Bobcat | Allowed under current rule |
| River otter | Not allowed under the otter rule text |
Trapping Nuisance Wildlife Outside the Season in Indiana
Nuisance wildlife control operators work under a separate permit rule, 312 IAC 9-10-11, which carries trap requirements that mirror the general trapping rule. That includes the submerged 330 Conibear requirement.
If you are dealing with a problem animal on your own property, check the DNR’s nuisance wildlife guidance before you set a trap out of season. Seasonal furbearer rules do not stop applying just because an animal is a nuisance.
Trapping Season in Indiana 2026-27: Frequently Asked Questions
When Does Trapping Season Start in Indiana?
Fox and coyote open Oct. 15, 2026. Raccoon, opossum, and bobcat open Nov. 8, and beaver and river otter on the DNR sheet open Nov. 15, 2026.
How Many Bobcats Can You Trap in Indiana?
One per person per season, with a statewide quota of 400 in 2026-27. The season closes early if the quota is reached.
How Many River Otters Can You Trap?
Two per person per season. The statewide quota is 750, and the season may close earlier.
How Often Must You Check Traps?
Every 24 hours for the trap types covered by IC 14-22-6-4.
Can You Sell Bobcat and Otter Fur?
Bobcat hides and parts can be sold under the amended rule. Otter taken during the trapping season cannot be sold.
For a look at other Indiana seasons in the same window, see our Indiana trout fishing season guide, or compare neighboring states such as Ohio and Illinois.