Learn about Managing New Hampshire’s Furbearers
CONCORD, N.H. — Modern trapping techniques are used for wildlife management, species re-introductions, biological sampling and property protection. Learn about this critical tool for managing furbearer populations at the first Outdoor Adventure talk of the fall, Managing New Hampshire’s Furbearers. The talk begins at 7 p.m. at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH. Admission is free, and no pre-registration is needed.
This seminar brings together Wildlife Biologist Pat Tate and professional trappers Jeff Traynor and Robert Levasseur to explore trapping, an activity highly regulated by the NH Fish and Game Department.
Patrick Tate is a certified wildlife biologist and the furbearer project leader for New Hampshire Fish and Game. He has over 15 years of experience as a wildlife manager.
Jeff Traynor has spent the last decade fur trapping across southern New Hampshire and currently sits on the board of directors for the New Hampshire Trappers Association. He considers proper education and support for regulated fur trapping as being key components of modern wildlife conservation.
Robert Lavasseur has spent most of his life in New Hampshire’s woods and waters. He brings his passion for the outdoors and 15 years of trapping experience to the mix.
Trapping is a highly regulated activity in New Hampshire and is a valuable wildlife management tool. Enthusiasts take mandatory Trapper Education, are required to have a license and to report effort and take. The information they report provides New Hampshire Fish and Game with a low-cost means of tracking and managing furbearing population levels.
“Finding the right balance between people and wildlife is critical with these abundant species,” says Tate, “And we would be hard pressed to achieve that balance without the knowledge and skills of our trappers.”
While trapping has a long history in New Hampshire, the techniques have changed a lot over the years. Modern traps are scientifically tested for animal welfare, efficiency, selectivity, and safety using standards set by the International Organization for Standardization. Thorough testing has been done, and continues, through the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and the Fur Institute of Canada.
The skills of licensed trappers are called upon for many reasons, from removing nuisance wildlife to assisting in the restoration of endangered species. Bring your questions and come learn why trapping matters for New Hampshire.
Fish and Game’s free series of evening outdoor adventure talks continues through October 12. See the line-up at www.wildnh.com/newsroom/news.html?news=465
