The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Friday, September 25, 2015, that Refuge trapping permits and trap tags, for the 2015-2016 furbearer trapping season on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, will be issued from the Savanna District Office, beginning Wednesday, October 1. Each trapper will receive 40 trap tags with their permit.
The Savanna District Office is located at 7071 Riverview Road, Thomson, IL. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Trap tags must be obtained in person. Trappers must have a valid 2015-2016 State trapping license and habitat stamp–in their possession–when obtaining trap tags. All traps placed on the Refuge must have a tag attached.
Refuge trapping permits are issued for a fee of $30 for trappers 18 years or older and $5 for trappers under age 18. Only cash and checks will be accepted.
Trappers who did not return their fur catch report for the 2014-2015 season will not be issued a new trapping permit. Additional information can be found in the Refuge’s Furbearer Management Plan, available at www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_Mississippi_River/visit/permits.
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is the most visited refuge in the United States. The refuge extends 261 miles along the Upper Mississippi River, from Wabasha, MN, to Princeton, IA, protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife.