RJ
10-23-2007, 02:17 PM
The “land trapping” season in most of New York State for the 2007 - 2008 trapping seasons opens on Oct. 25 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today.
Trappers will be afield beginning Oct. 25 setting traps for the taking of raccoon* red fox* gray fox* bobcat* fisher* and coyote. Trappers use a variety of habitat types including wooded areas* farmland* and marshes and swamps. Additionally* most of northern New York will be open for the trapping of mink and muskrat.
“New York State is an important venue for trapping*” said Grannis. “New York has about 12*000 trappers and trapping seasons for 14 different furbearing animals. Trappers are required to have a trapping license and complete a mandatory trapper education course taught by volunteer instructors trained by DEC. New York’s trapper education course stresses safe and ethical trapping methods* including best practices for trapping using the latest technology and innovations in trap design and use.”
Trappers must follow regulations that include restrictions on the size and design of traps* placement of traps* and mandatory trap checking requirements. Additionally* trappers are required to report the taking of certain furbearing animals to the Department* including fisher* marten* beaver* river otter and bobcat. These reporting requirements help DEC’s biologists improve conservation programs for these species.
In cooperation with Cornell University* DEC is currently conducting research to improve the trapping and furbearer management programs in New York State. To help with this research* cooperating trappers are voluntarily submitting diaries of their trapping activities along with specimens to enable the study of their populations.
“Trappers have been an essential part of our furbearing animal conservation program for years* and the Department appreciates their support of scientific management and research*” Grannis said.
Grannis also reminded New Yorkers that both hunters and trappers are afield during the fall months* especially from October through December* and encouraged all outdoor enthusiasts to show mutual respect for each other.
Dog owners* in particular should take care to obey local leash laws and keep their dogs under control so that dogs don’t unlawfully run at large on lands inhabited by deer. Dog ownership brings important responsibilities and dog owners should take particular guardianship to keep their pets under careful control in areas open for trapping.
This year* trappers must follow new regulations concerning the use of certain types of traps* called “body gripping traps.” The new regulations require that these traps be set in a manner that will minimize or reduce the chance that a dog may accidently be caught and injured or killed. While this regulation is very important as a means of improving trapping in New York* dog owners must also take great care to be responsible and safe as well.
Trappers should carefully check this year’s Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide to confirm the open dates and seasons for each furbearing animal* along with the regulations about the setting of traps. This guide can be viewed on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov or copies are available at all DEC offices and sporting license sales outlets.
Trappers will be afield beginning Oct. 25 setting traps for the taking of raccoon* red fox* gray fox* bobcat* fisher* and coyote. Trappers use a variety of habitat types including wooded areas* farmland* and marshes and swamps. Additionally* most of northern New York will be open for the trapping of mink and muskrat.
“New York State is an important venue for trapping*” said Grannis. “New York has about 12*000 trappers and trapping seasons for 14 different furbearing animals. Trappers are required to have a trapping license and complete a mandatory trapper education course taught by volunteer instructors trained by DEC. New York’s trapper education course stresses safe and ethical trapping methods* including best practices for trapping using the latest technology and innovations in trap design and use.”
Trappers must follow regulations that include restrictions on the size and design of traps* placement of traps* and mandatory trap checking requirements. Additionally* trappers are required to report the taking of certain furbearing animals to the Department* including fisher* marten* beaver* river otter and bobcat. These reporting requirements help DEC’s biologists improve conservation programs for these species.
In cooperation with Cornell University* DEC is currently conducting research to improve the trapping and furbearer management programs in New York State. To help with this research* cooperating trappers are voluntarily submitting diaries of their trapping activities along with specimens to enable the study of their populations.
“Trappers have been an essential part of our furbearing animal conservation program for years* and the Department appreciates their support of scientific management and research*” Grannis said.
Grannis also reminded New Yorkers that both hunters and trappers are afield during the fall months* especially from October through December* and encouraged all outdoor enthusiasts to show mutual respect for each other.
Dog owners* in particular should take care to obey local leash laws and keep their dogs under control so that dogs don’t unlawfully run at large on lands inhabited by deer. Dog ownership brings important responsibilities and dog owners should take particular guardianship to keep their pets under careful control in areas open for trapping.
This year* trappers must follow new regulations concerning the use of certain types of traps* called “body gripping traps.” The new regulations require that these traps be set in a manner that will minimize or reduce the chance that a dog may accidently be caught and injured or killed. While this regulation is very important as a means of improving trapping in New York* dog owners must also take great care to be responsible and safe as well.
Trappers should carefully check this year’s Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide to confirm the open dates and seasons for each furbearing animal* along with the regulations about the setting of traps. This guide can be viewed on the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov or copies are available at all DEC offices and sporting license sales outlets.