November 02, 2006
PGC News Release #142 - Trappers Keep Furbearers in Check, New Laws, Tips & Briefs
The following news release contains three articles:
1) TRAPPERS AND HUNTERS HELP LANDOWNERS KEEP FURBEARERS IN CHECK
2) NEW LAWS AID FURBEARER HUNTERS/TRAPPERS
3) GAME COMMISSION OFFERS TRAPPING TIPS AND BRIEFS
TRAPPERS AND HUNTERS HELP LANDOWNERS KEEP FURBEARERS IN CHECK
HARRISBURG - With most furbearer trapping and hunting seasons underway, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe said that furbearer populations have always been managed by trappers, houndsmen and predator callers. But, few Pennsylvanians ever recognize the contributions of these sportsmen and sportswomen until furbearer populations start to rise.
"The Commonwealth has always depended on trappers and other furtakers to manage its populations of furbearers, such as coyotes, foxes, beavers, raccoons and skunks," Roe said. "As a result, Pennsylvania's susceptibility to wildlife diseases such as rabies and mange, and its problems with crop- and property-damage caused by furbearers have been kept in check in areas where furtakers have access and permission to hunt or trap furbearers.
"Those Pennsylvanians who benefit directly from the services trappers, hound-hunters and predator-callers provide will quickly attest to their importance in wildlife management and the problems they alleviate. They help manage everything from weasels to coyotes and surely save a considerable number of farmers and property owners plenty of money in losses and repair bills."
Sagging fur prices spurred a decline in the ranks of fur-takers nationwide in the 1990s. Trappers had difficulty recovering their expenses, and inflation further compounded the problem. The result was a reduction in furbearer harvest and an increase in conflicts. To get a feel for the drop off in harvest that occurred, consider this: In 1996, more than 200,000 raccoons were taken in Pennsylvania; last year, the raccoon harvest totaled a little more than 100,000.
"The decline in raccoon harvests, as well as other furbearers, certainly was not reflective of a decrease in populations, but rather it was directly tied to a decline in participation and, in some cases, access provided to furtaker license buyers," Roe said. "Trappers and hunters still annually remove about a quarter million surplus furbearers from the Commonwealth's rural and suburban areas helping to align furbearer populations with the carrying capacity of the habitat they live in. In the process, they reduce the damages and encounters that residents - and their pets - will have with these animals on their properties. The effort also ensures motorists will find fewer carcasses along - or attempting to cross - the road."
Pennsylvania's general trapping season for coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums and weasels began Oct. 22, and closes Feb. 17, 2007. Water trappers may begin pursuing mink and muskrats when season opens Nov. 18; it closes Jan. 6. Beaver season runs from Dec. 26 to March 31, 2007.
Furbearer hunting seasons follow a slightly different course than trapping seasons. The hunting season for raccoons and foxes runs from Oct. 21 to Feb. 17, 2007; there is no closed hunting season for coyotes, opossums, skunks and weasels. Bag limits for all listed furbearers are unlimited. Additionally, coyotes and foxes may be hunted on Sundays.
"Many trappers, and particularly those in southern tier counties, are waiting to set and run their traplines until the pelts on the furbearers they intend to trap become more prime," explained Dr. Matt Lovallo, Game Commission furbearer biologist. "Fur primeness for raccoons, foxes and coyotes usually is about right in most areas of the state by the first week of November. It's always better to start trapping for these furbearers no sooner than early to mid November to improve their pelt value on the market.
"Pennsylvania's furbearer populations, with the exception of muskrats, continue to do well and the international market demand for most furs remains relatively strong. Pelt prices can and do fluctuate over the course of a season and from year to year as speculators try to corner markets and unanticipated demands drive prices up for limited pelts. The market is influenced by fashion and the needs of garment-makers internationally."
Most Pennsylvania trappers and fur-takers market their pelts through local fur-buyers and regional auctions held by the Pennsylvania Trappers' Association, and international auction houses. Some fur-takers also process some of their pelts for personal use.
In 2005, Pennsylvania sold 23,941 furtaker licenses, down slightly from 24,094 in 2004. The Game Commission began selling combination licenses (which provides general hunting, archery and muzzleloader stamp and furtaking privileges) to junior resident and nonresidents and senior residents in 1999. This new category has led to a dramatic decline in the number of furtaker licenses that are sold, but not necessarily the number of participants.
A soft fur market in the 1990s did reduce furtaker numbers in the state. However, with recent increases in fur prices, Pennsylvania has seen a corresponding increase in furtaker license sales. Increasing interest in predator calling, the bobcat seasons and growing coyote populations, along with new opportunities, such as the legalization of cable restraints for foxes and coyotes, also have encouraged more hunters and trappers to take another look at furtaking seasons.
The 2005 Game-Take Survey reports that fur-takers took 106,082 raccoons (105,000 in 2003); 70,995 muskrats (71,500); 43,720 opossums (33,760); 40,551 red foxes (31,592); 20,377 coyotes (11,697); 17,616 gray foxes (15,956); 9,977 skunks (9,319); and 9,335 mink (6,494).
"Our furbearer harvests for many species have remained relatively stable over the past three years, but considerable jumps have occurred in coyote, opossum, red fox and mink harvests," Lovallo said. "Mink are thriving and appear to be expanding their populations in the southeast and central regions of the state. Coyotes are stable in the state's northcentral and northeastern counties, increasing in southeastern and southwestern counties. The red fox and opossum harvests were the highest since 1998 and likely were the result of increasing populations."
Most furbearers - excepting muskrats - in Pennsylvania and other neighboring states remain underutilized. In fact, fur-takers are taking a fraction of the renewable fur resource Pennsylvania historically has provided. It's a trend that likely will not be reversed because of the difficulties associated land access, increased equipment and transportation costs, and the free-time/commitment complexities that often dominate the lives of many Pennsylvanians.
"Make no mistake, there's plenty of room for more trappers in Pennsylvania, and our residents would surely benefit from increased pressure on the state's furbearer resource," Lovallo explained. "Trappers are important in wildlife conservation. Without their help, it would be a real challenge trying to manage the state's furbearers, particularly beavers."
Over the past 20 years, beavers - reintroduced to Pennsylvania in 1917 - have been expanding their range, primarily in the Susquehanna and Delaware river basins. Left unchecked, beavers will drop shade trees in backyards, flood roads and sometimes adversely affect the quality of drinking water for municipalities.
"Trappers have done an admirable job managing Pennsylvania's beaver population," Lovallo noted. "They are our first line of defense in managing beavers locally and they do it for free. Anyone who has suffered from beaver damages knows what a relief it is to have a trapper remedy the inconveniences and damages beavers can perpetuate."
Beaver trappers are reminded that they no longer are required to have harvested beavers tagged by Game Commission personnel. There are, however, beaver bag limits for each Wildlife Management Unit.
Licensed trappers may use cable restraints for coyotes and foxes, upon completion of a four-hour certification course provided by agency-certified instructors, from Jan. 1-Feb. 17. The cost of the course is $15. Students receive various educational materials and one legal cable restraint, and a permanent certification card will be mailed following completion of the course.
Trapping is a highly regulated activity in Pennsylvania. A fur-taker license - or combination license - is required to trap in the Commonwealth. All traps must have an identification tag that provides the trapper's name and address or a number issued by the agency. Body-gripping traps must be set within a watercourse. It is unlawful to set a trap with bait visible from the air, or to disturb the traps of another. Traps cannot have a jaw-spread exceeding 6.5 inches. Traps must be visited at least once every 36 hours and each animal removed.
Created in 1895 as an independent state agency, the Game Commission is responsible for conserving and managing all wild birds and mammals in the Commonwealth, establishing hunting seasons and bag limits, enforcing hunting and trapping laws, and managing habitat on the 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands it has purchased over the years with hunting and furtaking license dollars to safeguard wildlife habitat. The agency also conducts numerous wildlife conservation programs for schools, civic organizations and sportsmen's clubs.
The Game Commission does not receive any general state taxpayer dollars for its annual operating budget. The agency is funded by license sales revenues; the state's share of the federal Pittman-Robertson program, which is an excise tax collected through the sale of sporting arms and ammunition; and monies from the sale of oil, gas, coal, timber and minerals derived from State Game Lands.
NEW LAWS AID FURBEARER HUNTERS/TRAPPERS
Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl Roe noted that a new law that took effect earlier this year permits furbearer hunters and trappers, especially those pursuing coyotes, to take advantage of new tools.
Under state law (Title 34 - Game and Wildlife Code), the list of legal methods and devices now allows licensed hunters and trappers to use any natural or manmade nonliving bait used to attract coyotes; any electronic or mechanical device used to attract coyotes; and any decoy used in the trapping or hunting of furbearers.
Roe pointed out that the law does not permit hunters to use any natural or manmade nonliving bait used to attract furbearer species other than coyotes, or to use any electronic or mechanical devise used to attract furbearer species other than coyotes. Current Game Commission regulations, however, do permit the use of electronic callers for hunting bobcats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and crows.
The law allowing trappers to use any natural or manmade nonliving bait to attract coyotes still does not permit the bait to be visible from the air. Current law (Section 2361 of Title 34) states that it is unlawful for any person to bait a trap with meat or animal products if the bait is visible from the air. Those hunting coyotes, however, may hunt over bait visible from the air.
Roe noted that the coyote season, when compared to other game species seasons, is the most liberal season in the Commonwealth.
"A properly-licensed Pennsylvania hunter can hunt coyotes year round, from July 1 to June 30, including Sundays, with either a general hunting or furtaker license, 24-hours-a-day, and the bag limit is unlimited," Roe said. "We also permit hunters to use electronic callers, and the Board of Game Commissioners recently finalized a regulatory change to permit hunters to use up to #4 buckshot to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their shotgun loads."
As for trapping coyotes, Roe pointed out that the annual seasons run from mid-October through mid-February, and the bag limit also is unlimited. In addition, this year a new measure approved by the Board took effect to permit coyotes and foxes to be taken by trappers using cable restraints from Jan. 1 until the end of the trapping seasons. To use cable restraints, a licensed trapper must take and pass a one-day certification program, which was developed and is being implemented with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Trappers Association.
"Hunters are telling us that they are seeing a lot of coyotes," Roe said. "And, based on the 2005 Game Take Survey, participation in coyote hunting and trapping has increased from 29,000 in 2003 to more than 35,000 in 2005. During the same period, coyote harvests increased from nearly 11,700 to more than 20,300.
"The Game Commission and Legislature have provided the most liberal seasons possible for the hunting and trapping of coyotes, and we encourage licensed hunters and trappers to take advantage of these tools. But, even prior to these new options being made available, coyote hunting had become an event in and of itself. The challenge of taking one has become quite popular among a very large segment of our hunting and trapping communities and a unique and enjoyable pursuit."
Created in 1895 as an independent state agency, the Game Commission is responsible for conserving and managing all wild birds and mammals in the Commonwealth, establishing hunting seasons and bag limits, enforcing hunting and trapping laws, and managing habitat on the 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands it has purchased over the years with hunting and furtaking license dollars to safeguard wildlife habitat. The agency also conducts numerous wildlife conservation programs for schools, civic organizations and sportsmen's clubs.
The Game Commission does not receive any general state taxpayer dollars for its annual operating budget. The agency is funded by license sales revenues; the state's share of the federal Pittman-Robertson program, which is an excise tax collected through the sale of sporting arms and ammunition; and monies from the sale of oil, gas, coal, timber and minerals derived from State Game Lands.
GAME COMMISSION OFFERS TRAPPING TIPS AND BRIEFS
Scouting Matters: Pre-season and in-season scouting are critically important to any trapline. Furbearer activity centers sometimes shift, based on the availability of food and den sites. Scouting helps a trapper determine where it's best to put traps. After all, traps set in areas where targeted furbearers aren't available will only waste your time and fuel. Be efficient. Don't guess. In the process, you'll squeeze plenty of excitement into your morning trap-checks and become a better trapper.
Blowing in the Wind: Using the wind to your advantage is an important consideration when choosing trap-set locations. If a furbearer cannot smell your attractant, it may pass within a few feet of your set and never take a step toward it. Most furbearers are curious, and if they detect the bait, urine or lure you're using to attract them, they'll come closer to investigate. The wind will help you pull in furbearers by carrying your attractant's smell further than it would emanate on its own in a still night air, especially in cold weather. It also allows you to set further off the travel-way, reducing the possibility on non-target catches, and trap theft.
Every 24: Trappers have a legal obligation to check their traps every 36 hours. Most trappers, however, rarely check traps later than every 24 hours. Experienced trappers know that it's best to check traps earlier to ensure: captured furbearers stay in the trap; no one steals the captured furbearer and trap; and the captured furbearer spends no more time restrained than necessary.
Swivel Action: Adding swivels to your trap's chain - as well as shortening and center-mounting the chain to the trap frame directly beneath the jaws - will reduce escapes and self-inflicted injuries to the trapped furbearer. Swivels are inexpensive, easy to incorporate and will pay dividends. Consider placing one on each end of the trap chain, and one in the center. The swivel for the stake-end of the chain should be large enough to accommodate your trap stake. For additional trap modifications, please visit the Game Commission's website at
www.pgc.state.pa.us, click on "Trapping and Furbearers" in the left column, then select "Best Management Practices for Trapping in the United States."
Sweet Treats: If you're raccoon trapping in an area where there's a possibility of capturing a non-target animal, it's usually best to avoid using meat- or fish-based baits and gland lures. Try using substitute attractants such as grape jelly, anise oil or peanut-butter. These baits usually won't pull in pets and they still have tremendous appeal to raccoons.
Rock Solid: Traps set afield for furbearers work best when they are seated solidly in a trap bed. This is accomplished by packing soil around the circumference of the trap's jaws. If the trap moves when you push down on the trap's jaws or springs, it's not seated firmly enough in the trap bed. Pack dirt around the trap or place a stone or small stick under the trap's jaw to keep it from moving. Traps must be immobile to be effective.
Ask First!: Ask a landowner for permission to trap, even if he or she allows trapping, or doesn't have his or her land posted. Landowners often know their property intimately and can direct you to the best places to set traps, or the only places they allow traps to be set. Be a good sport, trap ethically. Remember, wildlife conservation always wins when trappers and hunters ask for permission.
On the Blind: Another great way to take raccoons and mink in areas where using bait may lead to the capture of a non-target animal is by using "blind" or trail sets. These sets are placed where a raccoon or mink is forced to enter the water to get around a rock, tree trunk or to walk along a bridge abutment. These sets are especially effective on furbearers that have learned to shy away from bait sets.
Any Trap Won't Do: Traps must be matched to the furbearer you intend to catch. You can't use a muskrat trap to catch a coyote and a beaver trap won't work for raccoons. Here's a quick overview of what to use for popular Pennsylvania furbearers: foxes, 1.5 coil spring; coyote, 1.5, 1.75 or 2 coil spring; raccoon, 1 or 1.5 coil spring; weasels, skunks, opossums, 1 coil spring; mink, 1 or 1.5 coil spring or five-inch by five-inch, double spring body-gripping trap; muskrat, 1 long spring, jump or coil spring trap or five-inch by five-inch single spring body-gripping trap; and beaver, 3 or 4 double long spring or jump trap and 10-inch by 10-inch, double-spring body-gripping trap.
Out of Sight: Most people do not consider the skinned carcass of any animal to be pleasing to the eye. Given that established factoid and because furbearer remains are considered municipal waste, carcasses should be disposed through your curbside pickup, or at an approved waste or rendering facility. Don't dispose of them where passersby will see them, where a pet may drag one home, or where their decomposing odor will offend nearby homeowners. Keep it clean.
Protection Precautions: Trappers should always handle dispatched furbearers with latex or rubber gloves to avoid coming in contact with any body fluids from the animal. Rabies, which continues to pose a health threat in many counties, is transmitted when a furbearer's body fluids enter a person's body through a cut or body opening (mouth, eye, etc.) Don't take risks when approaching trapped animals to dispatch them. Always maintain a safe distance from captured furbearers and handle catches with gloved hands.
Auction Locator: If you're interested in finding a fur auction near you, consider visiting the Pennsylvania Trappers' Association's website -
www.patrappers.com - then click on "Districts" and check the events listed for the districts in your area.
