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Get your trapping permit here on WestPoint.iSportsman.net. First create an iSportsman account to be approved by a site administrator. Then complete the mandatory West Point Safety & Regulatory Brief (required once a year). Then purchase a permit on iSportsman via credit card. In-person permit sales of installation-wide permits at West Point have been discontinued.
ELIGIBILITY
West Point vets prospective users to prevent mission interference, to ensure safety and sustainability, and to prevent natural resource overexploitation. As such, all trappers must meet specific criteria to qualify under an eligible customer types. For more on eligibility, new users should see the New Users page HERE. before creating an account.
ACCESS
1. REGISTER YOUR ACCOUNT - New users registers an account HERE and wait for an administrator to vet and approve it. Approval of the new account gives the user a Background validation, which lasts either 2 years or is indefinite, pending Customer Type.
2. REVIEW SAFETY BRIEF - Once an account has been approved a user will be notified by e-mail. The user then logs on to his/her account and completes a mandatory safety brief (an annual requirement) giving the user a Safety Brief validation, good for one year.
3. VISIT NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE. - A user in good standing with both a Background and Safety Brief validation can acquire a West Point trapping permit but unlike hunting and fishing, additional coordination is necessary. Call/Email to set up a time to visit the Natural Resources Office to get:
3A. Trapping Validation & Purchase Permit: Natural Resources staff will apply a trapping validation to user's account and user will purchase trapping permit by card on his/her account in office. A permit/vehicle pass will be printed out at that time.
3B. Trapping Area Selection & Map. A trapper can pick a trapping region (a collection of trapping areas to trap in and reserve that region for the duration of that trapping year). A trapping map will be printed out at that time as well.
PERMITS
1. ANNUAL TRAPPING PERMIT – this one-year West Point trapping permit is good for the trapping season from the date of purchase to the end of that trapping season and with it this permit, a permitee may trap any species permitted under NYS, West Point regulations.
NOTE: All permitees must have proper New York licenses and harvest tags. All federal, state, and local West Point regulations regarding season dates, bag limits, harvest report, and all other restrictions apply.
See West Point Regulation 215-5, annual West Point Trapping Notice, and more for local West Point rules and regulations. See NYSDEC website for state rules and regulations.
GENERAL PUBLIC TRAPPING
General Public users with General Public Sportsmen user type accounts may pursue available trapping pemits via the process above. All other New York State and West Point regulations and requirements apply.
The General Public Sportsman Account May is approved only in October. Users with a General Public Long Pond Anglers account should reach out to Natural Resources staff in October to get account type changed. Do not create a 2nd account.
GUESTS & WALKERS
GUEST TRAPPERS
GUEST – West Point does not allow guest trappers.
NON-TRAPPING WALKERS
A WALKER - is an unarmed, unpermitted, non-participating companion of a permitee that accompanies a sponsor but does not participate i.e. hunt, fish, trap. A walker may not contribute in any way to the harvesting of game. Activities like driving, etc. as well as direct harvesting of game by walkers are not permitted. Walkers do not need NYS licenses. Walker sponsors do not need a guest pass but Walkers must be checked in/out with sponsor and remain within five meters of the sponsor at all times.
A sponsored permitee may bring, at most, one walker while trapping.
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
FOR ALL PERMITS
Check-In on iSportsman Before Entering Area: All permitees and guests/walkers will check in on iSportsman prior to entering Training Area. Users must be in the field within one hour of checking in or must otherwise check out of the area on iSportsman.
Check-Out, Check-In on iSportsman when Changing Areas: All permitees changing from one training area to another must first check out of the area they are exiting on iSportsman and then check in to the new area they are entering.
Check-Out on iSportsman After Exiting Area: All permitees and guests/walkers will check out on iSportsman when exiting Training Area. Users must be checked out within one hour of exiting the area.
* All trappers and their walkers doing any hunting trapping activities from walking, scouting, setting up stands/blinds or cameras, etc to the actual pursuit of game must check in and check out on iSportsman.
* EXCEPTION - OPENING DAY OF REGULAR FIREARMS BIG GAME SEASON: On Opening Day of Regular Firearms Big Game Season, the iSportsman system is usually down. On this day all hunters check-in and check-out in person at Hunt Control.
* Indefinite holding of an area not being used is unethical and against West Point regulations. Trappers must use the area they check into or otherwise check out.
LOCATION AND ACCESS
AVAILABILITY - Mission related activities and safety take precedence at West Point. Areas are often closed due training, range fire, and inclement conditions. To see areas status today/tomorrow, see Areas HERE or Interactive Map HERE.
GATES & KEYS - Access to some areas may be restricted due to locked gates e.g. Cranberry Pond, adjacent to areas downrange of artillery, is often closed. Range Control has discontinued its policy of lending keys to hunters/anglers.
ROADS - for 2WD passenger-type privately owned vehicles is described variably by road as excellent, good, fair, and poor. In most cases pickup trucks and 4WD vehicles with high ground clearance should have little difficulty in reaching the areas in dry road conditions.
STOCKING
UNAUTHORIZED STOCKING/PLANTING IS PROHIBITED: No individual shall stock, move, or release fish (incl bait) or wildlife, incl eggs without permission at West Point. Unauthorized release of fish and game is against federal, state, and local regulations.
TYPES OF TRAPPING AVAILABLE
Trappers may pursue a several furbearer species including beaver, bobcat, mink, muskrat, otter, raccoon, red fox, gray fox, skunk, coyote, opossum, weasel, and fisher. Pursuit of otter, bobcat, and fisher must be authorized in advance by Natural Resources Branch staff.
In 2020, the iSportsman system was updated so all that trappers upon check-out will see trapping game species ordered instead of all hunting, fishing, and trapping game species.
RULES & REGULATIONS
TRAPPING REGULATIONS & GUIDELINES
Follow NYS & West Point Trapping Regulations: All trapping done at West Point shall be done in accordance with New York State Trapping Regulations.
Trapping In Trapping Areas Only: All sport trapping at West Point will occur only in designated trapping areas and each trapper will trap only in trapping areas they have reserved within their selected trapping region.
Check Traps Daily: All open traps will be checked at least once daily and otherwise in accordance with New York State Conservation Law. Unattended traps may be confiscated by West Point Conservation Law Enforcement Officers.
Label All Traps: All traps will be labeled with the owner’s name and address IAW with New York State Conservation Law. Unmarked, unattended traps may be confiscated by West Point Conservation Law Enforcement Officers.
Use Good Judgment and Sensitivity: Trappers will use good judgment in setting traps such that domestic animals, non-target species and humans are unlikely to encounter traps. Trappers using questionable sets may be removed from program.
By-Catch: Non-target animals must be immediately released at the capture site, if survival is likely. If severely injured or harvested, by-catch should be immediately reported.
Domestic Animals: Domestic animals, including feral or strays, trapped shall be immediately reported to West Point Conservation Law Enforcement and, if possible to do so safely, immediately transported to veterinarian.
Trapping Only: Trapping permitees are permitted only to participate in activities indicated on permit. For annual trapping permits, this permits only trapping. Unless you also possess a hunting or fishing activity permit, do not fish/hunt.
West Point Reg 215-5: This page does not contain all regulations. Consult USMA Reg. 215-5 for a complete listing. West Point Reg 215-5 was recently revised and the 2026 version is the current version.
Annual Trapping Notice: West Point's annual Trapping Notice lists trapping season dates and bag limits. State laws govern game seasons, bag limits and permitted trapping implements unless West Point applies further restrictions.
Required Paperwork: All permitees will have 1) West Point Permit, 2) NYS License. West Point permits and NYS license will be kept on person while afield. Vehicle Passes will be left face up on front dashboard.
SAFETY
Wear Hunter Orange: All hunters and trappers will wear at least 100 square inches (visible from all sides) of blaze orange or pink at all times. Waterfowl and spring turkey hunters can remove at rest, but must wear in during walk in/out.
PFD/Life Vests: All boaters must have a U.S. Coast-Guard approved personal flotation device for each passenger. If Outdoor Recreation boats are stationed at the pond, it is noted. Boat passes are available at the Round Pond Recreation Office.
TRAPPING MAP AND AREA REGULATIONS
Trapping Map: Trappers should use the current West Point Trapping map and not previous trapping maps nor any training map as a reference for boundaries and regulations. As of July 2026, the current version remains the 2025 trapping map.
Trapping Area Capacities: Obey the area capacities for each of the areas. The area quotas were designed to spread people out so that a hunter or trapper is less likely to crowd upon another trapper hunter using the area.
Trapping Area Boundaries: Trapping shall only occur inside of established trapping areas. Individuals who check in to an area must remain in that area and not enter another area without first checking out of the old area and checking into the new.
GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS
Do No Harm: The permitee shall not damage live vegetation, wildlife, roads, road infrastructure, cultural resources or other federal assets. Permit holders will be held liable for any damage.
Carry In, Carry Out: Permitees may not litter. All trash and refuse shall be removed from West Point. Nor may permitees leave equipment or clothing in the field, temporarily or permanently. Everything carried in must be carried out.
Other Individuals: Trapping permits apply only to permitee. Permits may not be transferred. And as a reminder, while walkers can accompany trappers, guest trapping is not permitted at West Point.
Driving & Parking: Permitees shall not drive faster than 20 MPH on range roads at West Point and shall not drive faster than 10 MPH when passing troops. No vehicles shall block Range Roads, Gates (Opened Or Closed), Launches, or Other Vehicles.
Towing, Recovery, & Repair: West Point will not aid in any towing, recovery, or repair of vehicles. Good judgment and caution is encouraged when driving and parking anywhere at West Point, especially on range roads. Use of a winch is permissible.
Take Permit Afield, Display Vehicle Pass: All permitees going afield should have a printed or electronic copy of the firewood permit on his/her person and shall place paper copy of Vehicle Pass (printed with permit) on vehicle driver's side windshield.
Check-In on iSportation Before Entering Area: All permitees and walkers will check in on iSportsman prior to entering Training Area. Users must be in the field within one hour of checking in or must otherwise check out of the area on iSportsman.
Check-Out, Check-In on iSportsman when Changing Areas: All permitees changing from one training area to another must first check out of the area they are exiting on iSportsman and then check in to the new area they are entering.
Check-Out on iSportsman After Exiting Area: All permitees and guests/walkers will check out on iSportsman when exiting Training Area. Users must be checked out within one hour of exiting the area.
HARVEST/TAKE REPORTING
Mandatory iSportsman Harvest Report: All trapping harvests must be reported at check out via iSportsman. In Regular Big Game Hunt Season Opening Day when iSportsman is down, all harvests should be reported in person at Hunt Control.
FURBEARER POSSESSION TAGS
New York law requires successful otter, bobcat, and fisher trappers to fill out a NYSDEC Furbearer Possession Tag, allowing trappers to legally possess the pelt or unskinned animal until pelt sealing is required. NYSDEC Furbearer Possession Tags may be found HERE.
Fill out furbearer possession tags immediately. They are not official pelt seals but must accompany pelt or unskinned animal at all times. Unfortunately, every year trappers unknowingly commit violations by not properly filling out their tags. Fines can vary.
Be sure to carry to a pen. (Tags filled in pencil not legal). Keep the pen next to your body in cold weather so that the ink will not freeze.
On deer/turkey carcass tags, the month/date must be cut out or marked out. Month on one side, dates (in numbers) on another.
Finally, there are several blocks on tags which successful trappers frequently either leave blank or fill incorrectly. For West Point:
COUNTY of KILL: West Point is in Orange County.
TOWN of KILL: Township. West Point, use Highlands, Woodbury, or Cornwall.
NEAREST VILLAGE: Use "West Point".
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT: West Point WMU is 3P.
Be sure that all areas are filled correctly. The New York Regulation Guide you receive when you buy your license also explains how to fill out your tags. If there is still confusion, contact the Natural Resources Branch for answers to any remaining questions.
Be sure that all areas are filled correctly. The New York Regulation Guide you receive when you buy your license also explains how to fill out your tags. If there is still confusion, contact the Natural Resources Branch for answers to any remaining questions.
NEW YORK STATE TRAPPING LICENSES
All trappers must have a New York trapping license and a West Point trapping permit to trap at West Point. West Point discontinued the in-person sale of NYS trapping permits over ten years ago.
Trappers looking to purchase NYS Trapping License may do so online via the NYSDECAL System HERE, via telephone at 1 (845) 866-933-2257, at local town offices or sporting goods retailers.
To purchase a license, you need a previous license issued by any state or Canadian province if recognized by New York State or proof of completion of a Trapper Education
Military personnel stationed in New York qualify for resident licenses. A New York driver's license or a copy of your assignment orders will satisfy the proof of residency requirement. Cadets from other states as full-time students also qualify for New York resident licenses.
* NOTE REGARDING ALL INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE: All hunting, trapping, and fishing on West Point must be in accordance with New York State regulations and West Point regulations as stated in West Point Reg 215-5. No information posted here should be interpreted as authorizing individuals to otherwise violate New York State regulations or West Point regulations as stated In West Point Reg 215-5. If any clarification is necessary, please contact the Natural Resource staff.