A variety of furbearer species are traditionally trapped on the Horicon Refuge:  muskrat, mink, raccoon, opossum, red fox, coyote, and weasel.  In the past, trapping areas were sold through an open auction held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 

A muskrat survey conducted by air at the end of January 2006 revealed about 400 muskrat house in Main Pool, all along the main channel.  No houses were found in any of the sub-impoundments.  Because of the two year drawdown of the Main Pool (beginning in 2005) and subsequently the low number of muskrats as evident by the survey, Refuge staff did not offer muskrat trapping for the last two years. 

However, refuge staff felt that upland trapping needed a boost since predators were at an all time high.  Breaking from tradition of auctioning the two upland areas for a minimum bid of $25, refuge staff decided to try something that would be more appealing to trappers. 

Upland trapping permits were given at no charge to any trapper who wanted one.  Areas of the refuge that were open for trapping were designated on a map, but trappers were not assigned a specific area.

Interest was not as high as staff anticipated.  Twelve trappers received permits, but in the end, only half of the trappers participated.  Out of those six trappers, the following species were harvested:  109 raccoon, 62 opossum, seven skunk, and two red fox.  Sixty-seven percent of the total animals taken were trapped by one lone, dedicated trapper.