Photo courtesy of Eric Riegel | NYSDEC The NYSDEC is encouraging beaver trappers to visit specific Wildlife Management Units and a state forest in Western New York where trapping large beavers can be a two-handed task.

While furbearer trapping has a long history in North America, trapping activities are typically controversial and need to be better understood by the general public. Responsible and regulated trapping, just like hunting, plays a significant role in managing wildlife and maintaining ecological balance. Beaver trappers, in particular, are instrumental in this process.

With that understanding in mind, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraging beaver trappers to visit specific Wildlife Management Units and a state forest in Western New York where beaver activity is causing damage to roads, trails and other features. While trapping seasons vary by species and location, the beaver trapping season runs from Nov. 10 through April 7 in the Southern Zone of New York state. The Region 9 Bureau of Wildlife is asking trappers to specifically consider beaver trapping in the following areas: Chautauqua County: Boutwell Hill State Forest — town of Cherry Creek, Kabob WMA — town of Stockton and Watts Flats WMA — town of Harmony; Cattaraugus County: Allegheny Reservoir WMA — town of South Valley, Birch Run Ponds WMA — town of Allegany and Harwood Lake MUA — town of Farmersville; and Allegany County: Keeney Swamp WMA — town of Birdsall and Hanging Bog WMA — town of New Hudson. Beaver populations have grown significantly at these locations, making managing water levels on the ponds, marshes and impoundments more challenging.

Across the state, trapping seasons are based on geographical units identified as Wildlife Management Units. There are trapping seasons for mink, muskrat, fisher, marten, bobcats, otter, raccoon, red fox, gray fox, skunk, opossum, coyote and weasel. Trapping for each species varies by WMU location, but is typically held during fall and winter. At conservation club meetings across the state, hunters and trappers wish the DEC would make the six-day season (Oct. 25-30) for trapping fishers a more extended season.

Fishers have been suspected of heavy predation of wild turkeys and the young of many wildlife species, as observed and reported by hunters.

There are roughly 10,000 trappers in New York state. Trappers must have a valid New York State trapping license ($20 for resident adults aged 16-69, $275 for nonresidents) and follow all applicable regulations. Trapping is only allowed in Public Access Areas. The DEC sends out a survey to 4,500 licensed trappers every spring. The survey asks questions about the species trapped, how many of each species were trapped, and how much effort was put into trapping. The results help the DEC estimate the total harvest for species that are not pelt-sealed. For more information about trapping opportunities at the Western New York locations, contact NYSDEC Land Management Biologist Eric Maringer at 716-379-6367 or by email at eric.maringer@dec.ny.gov.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Nov. 23 to Jan. 19: Late Canada goose season — South Area. See syllabus.

Nov. 30 to Dec. 14: Pennsylvania Regular (firearms) deer season. See https://www.pgc.pa.gov.

Dec. 5: Western New York Walleye monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., 36 Pierce Ave., Hamburg.

Dec. 8: Last day of 2024 NYS Southern Zone Regular (firearm) big game season.

Dec. 8: Bear Lake Rod & Gun monthly meeting, 4 p.m., 4391 Cassadaga-Stockton Road, Cassadaga, (rescheduled from Dec. 1 due to snowfall).

Dec. 9-17 and Dec. 26 to Jan. 1: NYS Southern Zone late bowhunting season

NOTE: Send Calendar info or related outdoor news to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.