NOC 85104Trappers and hunters

TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education

NOC 85104 is the Canadian National Occupational Classification code for Trappers and hunters. It is classified TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education, which does not meet the skill requirement for Express Entry's federal programs. An officer decides whether you can claim this code by comparing the duties written in your reference letter against the official main duties below — not by your job title.

Express Entry eligible: No
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Natural resources & agriculture

8 › 85 › 851 › 8510

Definition

Trappers and hunters trap and hunt wild animals for pelts or live sale. They are usually self-employed and work on a seasonal basis.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Set traps with bait and position traps along trails
Operate boats or snowmobiles or travel on foot, snowshoes or skis to patrol trapline or to reach hunting areas
Pursue animals by observing and recognizing tracks, trails, animal droppings or broken foliage
Remove catch and reset traps and snares
Kill and skin catch for pelts, and treat and pack pelts for marketing or for transport to public auctions
Kill wild animals using firearms or other weapons
Trap live animals for sale to buyers or for relocation purposes
Maintain and repair trapping and hunting equipment
Maintain trails and access to trapping lines or hunting regions
Trap designated animals for bounty or other control programs
May train dogs for hunting
May monitor animal population in the trapping or hunting regions to ensure future sustainability.

Example job titles

•fur trapper
•game trapper
•hunter
•sealer
•trapper

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Overview

Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, NOC 85104 classifies Trappers and Hunters. This unit group is categorized as a TEER 5 occupation, which typically encompasses roles requiring short work demonstrations and no formal education. Individuals in this occupation trap and hunt wild animals for their pelts, meat, live sale, or for wildlife population control. Most workers in this field are self-employed and work on a seasonal basis, adapting to migration and hibernation patterns.

To work as a trapper or hunter in Canada, individuals must meet strict regulatory and licensing guidelines. Standard duties include setting traps, harvesting wild animals using firearms or other equipment, skinning and preparing pelts for market, and maintaining specialized equipment. Requirements include a thorough knowledge of wildlife laws, firearm safety, and first aid. Provincial or territorial licenses and permits are mandatory for trapping and hunting activities across Canada.

For Canadian immigration, TEER 5 occupations such as NOC 85104 may qualify under specific regional streams, including certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) or pilot programs designed to address localized labor shortages in natural resources.

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Frequently asked questions

Is NOC 85104 eligible for Express Entry?

Not for Express Entry's federal skilled programs — Trappers and hunters is TEER 5, and TEER 4–5 occupations don't meet that skill level. Provincial streams and other pathways may still be open; run the eligibility check to see which.

What education or training does NOC 85104 usually require?

Trappers and hunters is classified as TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education. Always confirm the exact employment requirements on the official NOC profile before relying on them.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.