Im looking for suggestions and techniques to release otter from foot traps. Had one today (legal catch, I just did not want to keep it) and i was basically unable to release it from the CDR by myself. The only useful tools I had with me was the beaver rake and one hand setters, plus my normal hand tools. I ended up calling someone to help, and we finally managed to tire the otter enough and hold it with the rake long enough to get the setters on the trap, and off it swam. I typically don’t even have a catch pole in the truck since I so rarely need one. Maybe I should start carrying one for the couple times a year I would use it…
Any helpful tips out there? That was just a ridiculous battle with a very angry and powerful animal. And it was only 2/3 grown, a big one would have been even more difficult.

Try releasing one from a boat. Not fun.

Knock it unconcious first.

It's normally a two person job. I've used a catch pole on a few and I've dropped a tote over a few and dragged a leg out and set them free.
And yes I had one come in the boat after me once.

Never had to release one of those but I bet that would be a handfull. Depending on the area I have used a tote for other critters with good success.

I have released them from 1.5 Dukes set for coons. Always with a catch pole. Definitely an adrenalin rush.

Grab him by the neck and show him who is boss.
Make sure you video that so I can see.

That's what I want for my birthday.

Try cutting a snare set for beaver off one

You guys sure gave me a lot of great methods, tips, and tricks.
Neck grab method wins.
I will let you know.

Don't wear gloves...makes them go nuts!

try grinning him. like Davy Crockett

They’re nasty mean even without a trap on their foot.Two men and a death ray for me.

Good thing you guys aren't in mountain lion country. Catch and release takes on a whole new meaning.

Amen to that. Every time I check my line I'm praying there's not a lion in one

I have released 6 or 7 with my 5ft. snare cable with the locking system. I have done two from a canoe and that was an experience for sure. They are very strong and I needed o get a very tight hold on their neck to get them controllable enough to release. The hardest one was a rear foot catch of a large male with about 2 ft. of chain on my 1 stoploss and I was in a canoe with no solid bottom to stand on. I can smile now 14 years later but that was almost a gender changing experience to release that otter.

Bryce

Otters are a sucker for a good belly rub. The trick is getting them flipped over so you can stoke that belly. Get em flipped and you're on a downward slope with banana peels under both feet! Incidentally, works for attacking pitbulls as well.

I caught one in a coyote set on the edge of a soybean field and had to release it. The trick was wearing it out enough to noose it. I thought I had it worn out but it rejuvenated and almost took my boot off. I hope I don't have to do that again.

If I had a big one, and could not get a helper and/or release tools, I really do think boco is right, my only option would be to knock it out.
Side story…
In the book “The Falcon” - which is the the narrative of John Tanner who was taken captive and and raised as an Ojibwe, and became a very respected member of that community and refused to go back to the settler/colonizing culture - has a story about otter.
He says that the elder Ojibwe hunters had told him that a man could not kill an adult otter without a weapon. One day, he spots an otter out on an open frozen lake, chases it down, and proceeds to try every way he can, stomping, beating, even choking it toward the end. He was unable to kill the otter. He says that just when he would think it was choking out, it would pull its head down and get a breath. Of course, he did have weapons with him, and he goes on to say that after he killed the otter he proceeded on with moose hunting.

I tried to knock one out once and It didn't turn out so well. Had to turn It In to the DNR.