Outdoor News Daily

For the first time in modern history, Kansas allowed otter trapping during the 2011-2012 trapping season. Biologists had been monitoring a growing otter population for many years and had proposed a limited harvest to manage otter numbers and learn more about the species. The season was to run Nov. 16, 2011-March 31, 2012, or until the statewide trapping mortality quota of 100 otters was met.

Biologists with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) have announced that that quota has been met. Trappers have been allowed a grace period for notification that the quota has been met, so all otters taken on or before Feb. 5 may be kept by the furharvester.

Otters accidentally taken while trapping for other species after Feb. 5 must be reported to KDPWT prior to removal from the trap site. They may be reported to the toll free hotline at (855) 778-6887 (RPT-OTTR) or to a local KDWPT natural resource officer or biologist. Inadvertent capture of otters shall not be deemed illegal if the capture is reported or if the animal is released unharmed.
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ODFW has reminded northeast Oregon trappers that wolverines could be in the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area and of the species’ threatened status under the Oregon Endangered Species Act.

This comes after a wolverine was accidentally captured in a foothold trap set near the Eagle Cap Wilderness in late December. Upon finding the captured wolverine, the trapper immediately contacted ODFW. Wildlife biologists came to the site, tranquilized the wolverine and released it unharmed.

Currently wolverines cannot be trapped in Oregon due to their state-threatened status. No citations were issued in this case because the trapper followed regulations and immediately contacted ODFW. “This trapper did exactly what he was supposed to do following the capture of the wolverine,” said Tim Hiller, ODFW furbearer coordinator. “We appreciate that the trapper also voluntarily pulled all of his traps from the area afterwards.”
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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the release of a proposed five-year bobcat management plan for public review and comment. “The plan, once final, will guide the management of bobcat in New York State for the next five years, a wildlife species which continues to fascinate and intrigue both the hunting community and nature observers,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens.

The draft management plan is available on the DEC website. The comment period on the draft plan runs through February 16, 2012.

The draft plan describes three primary goals for bobcat management:
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Although bobcats are considered a game species, they are currently classified as “Endangered” in New Jersey and are therefore managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program. There is no open hunting or trapping season for bobcat, and it is illegal to intentionally take, kill or attempt to take or kill one in the State. Bobcats legally harvested in other U.S. states or Canadian provinces may be possessed provided the pelt is affixed with a CITES tag from the state or province of harvest.

Bobcats thrive in a variety of habitats with high prey abundance and dense understory vegetation, including hardwood forests, mixed forests, brush, swamps and farmland habitats). Forest edges and rocky ledges and outcrops are also important terrain features. Bobcats seem to use the convenience of woods roads and established paths in forests to aid travel.
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