There is a proposed DEC reg change that would eliminate the need for a special permit to trap fisher.

To read and to comment go to WildlifeRegs@dec.state.ny.gov

Would it extend the season to other parts of the state? I’ve caught four but can’t keep them because there isn’t a season.

I for one one like to see that. Right now I have to travel to a different zone, mine doesn't offer a season, for a six day season with a special permit a month and a half before the fur even starts to get prime. I trapped one two years ahead and now wait for regulation changes till I Target them. Thanks for the info

Would reporting still be required? If not have they given up on populations in different units?

I do not know of any season changes or other reg. changes. I have been very outspoken in the past regarding fisher trapping. The season in western New York is way too early and the adirondack season was shortened, but on the wrong end. the word "trophy" is the DEC buzz word and "prime" has been forgotten.

DEC and NYSTA were too busy making sure the muskrat
in the northern zone were trapped on November 1st
instead of October 25th to worry about prime fisher.

Like that extra week made a difference.

Good Luck.

w

Agreed about the season dates, they're out of wack. But I do like the idea of no special permit. I looked at the NYSTA site and fb page. Nothing mentioned about this yet.

They are just removing the special permit requirement.

You will still have to have a furbearer possession tag as with any CITES species. This where they get the population numbers from.

The permit was only good for the units that have a season.

Fisher are NOT a CITIES specie.

Correct fisher are not a CITES species, but yes you will still need to receive a State seal...

Thanks, Mr. West for posting this...DEC is at least two years late pulling this requirement!!!

What they should do is discontinue those stupid log books and having to submit skulls. How many years has this fisher study been going on and DEC still can't get things right.

Wait, this doesn't end the log books too??? They should have all the data they need, so I don't understand the continuation of log books?? Is that just you guys in the ADKs??

From what I read DEC states that after 5 years of study they have concluded that fisher are abundant and trapping is sustainable.I see nothing to separate out the adirondacks and it appears the only thing they are changing is the removal of the special fisher trapping permit. Everything else appears to be unchanged.
If their conclusion statement is true why are they not stopping the submission of skulls and logbooks and allowing corrected season dates?How many logbooks and how many skulls have they collected? Thousands! How many do they need? Let's get real people.

I wonder how many of the skulls they actually do something with

Thanks for the correction what I should have said is pelt seal.

You only get a log book sent to you if you got the special permit, I think. So no special permit no log book I was thinking. Wel anywaysl I emailed hopefully change is coming. It's been long enough

Three years ago I forgot to send in the report because I was on a business trip so they "banned me" for a year from trapping fisher.

This year I sent in the report Before the season was even over...... But got a letter in the mail stating they didn't get my report.

I'm tired of this system. You have to drive the carcass also to the DEC office as well.

Idea:
1.) Make it a dang login reporting system. I'll build it for you if you want! Make an RFP and I'll bid on it!! We'll do it at-cost if we have to.

2.) Remind people via email if you have to (like anything else). Don't have email? Then you don't get to play. It's free.

I think their tactics of threats and bans is dead wrong. I also don't like their surveys that are very carefully worded to trick trappers into answering in a way that they wanted. Also, I don't like the fact that they don't meet you half way. They want trapper cooperation and I don't know how many mink, fisher, and otter carcasses I've given them along with beaver meat for their trapping, but when it comes to giving us a season when the fur is prime they will not listen and are condescending towards us. When challenged about the early season in October, DEC's comment was that the "pelts are still saleable".. Pretty arrogant. Pretty stupid.

The DEC knows they're everywhere. All special permits and log books and carcass collection does is take biologists away from other more important assignments. The system is toast

I just hope for later or longer season here in the Adirondacks, The month of October is just to early. I even hate to set to get those early mangy Coyotes, In fear of catching Fisher.

When will NYSDEC Wake up ?