Traps and Capture Devices (Fångstredskap)

Types of Capture Devices
Capture devices are used in Swedish hunting to catch or kill game in a safe and animal welfare-adapted manner. All traps used must be type-approved by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket).

There are mainly three types of capture devices

Live-Capture Traps
These traps capture the animal alive, without injuring it. Common types include walkthrough or tunnel traps. These are designed as a tunnel or passage with openings at both ends, luring the animal to enter in the belief it can pass through. When the animal passes, the mechanism is triggered, and the animal is enclosed. Live-capture traps must be designed to protect the animal from weather, cold, and injury, and they must be checked regularly. Only type-approved traps may be used.

Killing Traps
These are designed to kill the animal instantly upon activation. They are used, for example, for martens and mink. These devices may only be used if they are type-approved and must be placed and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Snares
Used in certain cases for species where permitted. Often requires special permits or training, as improper use can cause suffering.

Where to Find Rules and Information
Official information is available from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (regulations and type approvals), the Hunting Ordinance (SFS 1987:905), which contains rules about permitted equipment and conditions, and the Swedish Hunters’ Association, which provides practical advice, training, and guidance.

Trap Checking (Inspection)
How often traps must be checked depends on the type of trap and the species

Live-capture traps for mammals must generally be checked at least once per day, preferably in the morning. For certain species like mink and marten, checking is required twice daily – morning and evening. Traps for wild boar must also be checked at least twice daily

Live-capture traps for birds must be checked at least once per day, usually in the evening

Small rodent traps, in some models, must be checked more frequently – sometimes every five hours

Traps with alarm systems must be checked as soon as the alarm is triggered, which in practice means as quickly as possible

Always check the exact inspection intervals in the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations or in the specific conditions for the trap

Marking and Approval
All capture devices must be type-approved by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, be marked with the owner’s name, address, and phone number, and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and with regard to animal welfare

Capture Devices Requiring Special Training or Permits
Some equipment may only be used by those who have undergone special training or received a specific permit. Examples include snares for ptarmigan, foot snares for red fox, and killing traps for beaver. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency decides which devices are subject to these requirements – always check the current list and regulations

Responsibility of Use
You must have hunting rights on the land where the trap is placed. You are responsible for ensuring that the trap is properly set up and checked in time. You must be able to humanely and quickly dispatch a captured animal if necessary. The use of non-approved trap types is prohibited

Ethics and Animal Welfare
All trapping must be conducted with respect for the wildlife and in accordance with the animal welfare legislation. Traps must be appropriately sized for the intended species, protect against weather and injury, and minimize suffering for captured animals. If a trap injures, stresses, or kills animals in a non-approved way, it is illegal to use