The Pennsylvania Game Commission is considering the possibility opening a season for the limited trapping of fisher, and potentially otter sometime in the future.
Both species have very healthy populations in parts of the state, and experts believe that they can withstand limited harvest.
Northeast Region biologist Tom Hardisky had this to say:
“When it comes to trapping otters and even fishers in Pennsylvania, there’s no problem with harvesting them. It just has to be done the right way.”
Harvest of the species would likely fall under a permit system similar to the one in place for bobcat harvest in the state.
The opening of fisher and otter trapping seasons in the state would be a huge step in the right direction for the Game Commission and for trappers in Pennsylvania, who support wildlife management by releasing nontarget animals and cooperating with the wildlife management agency.
Leave a Reply