Declining Fisher Populations
#7652330
08/18/22 07:00 AM
08/18/22 07:00 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,897 Wisconsin
Eagleye
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,897
Wisconsin
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I’m a sample size of one but it sure seems like Fisher populations have declined in NW, Wisconsin, based on my readings- it appears that Maine and New Hampshire have experienced similar population declines recently, with PA seeing an uptick. I'm looking for insight on similar experiences and potential correlations on why? One article I read said that Bobcats prey on Fishers, I have no way to validate that hypothesis other than our Bobcat populations have ballooned. Are Fisher populations cyclical like grouse? I know Nathan Roberts has done a lot of study in WI over the years and maybe he could weigh-in on this. Just some random thoughts and observations.
Last edited by Eagleye; 08/18/22 10:50 AM.
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: Eagleye]
#7652336
08/18/22 07:13 AM
08/18/22 07:13 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,181 chelsea,wi
keets
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,181
chelsea,wi
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definitely down around here compared to 10-15 years ago
2021 goals....make time to trap PROUD MEMBER WTA NTA FTA GOA SPORTSMANS ALLIANCE
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: keets]
#7652346
08/18/22 07:26 AM
08/18/22 07:26 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,723 Maine
Mac
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,723
Maine
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Fisher are cyclical like a lot of critters. Maine probably has the most fisher since the 1960's. A HUGE part of that its that the IF&W placed heavy restrictions on trapping because of the Lynx. In lieu of using boxes on the ground with small body grips or traditional body grip sets in trees, the state has made the use of "exclusion" boxes mandated. I could go on but that is the basic deal.
Mac
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: Eagleye]
#7652414
08/18/22 09:30 AM
08/18/22 09:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,731 New Hampshire
Nessmuck
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,731
New Hampshire
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Here in NH…20 years ago the limit was 10.. then a few years later ,they upped it to 15… then back to 10… then 5…Now just 2. But way more Bobcats around on trail cameras and on FB at peoples homes. Cats are protected here…and if I was a betting man,that’s why the fisher are fewer.
It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: keets]
#7652420
08/18/22 09:43 AM
08/18/22 09:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,961 MN
160user
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,961
MN
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definitely down around here compared to 10-15 years ago It is the same here. We also have more cats than ever. Interestingly enough, even though the fisher have declined here the Marten are increasing far outside of their traditional range.
I have nothing clever to put here.
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: Eagleye]
#7652440
08/18/22 10:24 AM
08/18/22 10:24 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 611 PA
Strut10
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 611
PA
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Wish the fisher population was down around here. They've impacted our small game and turkeys quite hard.
Wollen nicht krank dein feind. Planen es.
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: Eagleye]
#7652461
08/18/22 11:02 AM
08/18/22 11:02 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,023 Wisconsin
8117 Steve R
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,023
Wisconsin
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I think the population is down in my area of NW Wisconsin too. Our mature forests are disappearing, probably related.
Steve WTA NRA
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: Eagleye]
#7652467
08/18/22 11:15 AM
08/18/22 11:15 AM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,114 Northern Michigan
J.Morse
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,114
Northern Michigan
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I haven't trapped the U.P. for Fisher since 2007, so I don't have a handle on what is going on up there. I do have a question about Fisher in the Lower Peninsula though.......there have only been Fisher confirmed maybe twice in this peninsula since the original population was extirpated in the 1920's(?). No matter who I try to ask about it in the DNR, there seems to be no plans to reintroduce them to the Lower. That bothers me a good deal. Has anyone here in Michigan had any information about reintroduction to this peninsula?
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: Eagleye]
#7652474
08/18/22 11:25 AM
08/18/22 11:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,791 MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
Trapper7
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,791
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
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I've had one hanging around my yard up until this year. Haven't seen it. Last year, he pretty much wiped out the squirrels, which was OK. Except we had some all black squirrels which I considered unique that were wiped out with the grey and fox squirrels.
Must be nice to eat ice cream as fast as you want and not have to worry about brain freeze.
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: Eagleye]
#7652477
08/18/22 11:27 AM
08/18/22 11:27 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,321 Wisconsin
RdFx
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,321
Wisconsin
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Fishers have contracted canine diseases and its killing them. I believe Nathon Roberts mentioned that in one of his studys
RdFx
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: Nessmuck]
#7652528
08/18/22 12:28 PM
08/18/22 12:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 360 monadnock region New Hampshire
nh toe pincher
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 360
monadnock region New Hampshire
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Here in NH…20 years ago the limit was 10.. then a few years later ,they upped it to 15… then back to 10… then 5…Now just 2. But way more Bobcats around on trail cameras and on FB at peoples homes. Cats are protected here…and if I was a betting man,that’s why the fisher are fewer. Bingo! Cats all over the monadnock region. & hardly a fisher track to be found, I have to chuckle at all the missing kitty posters all around too.....
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: nh toe pincher]
#7652591
08/18/22 02:14 PM
08/18/22 02:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 611 PA
Strut10
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 611
PA
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Here in NH…20 years ago the limit was 10.. then a few years later ,they upped it to 15… then back to 10… then 5…Now just 2. But way more Bobcats around on trail cameras and on FB at peoples homes. Cats are protected here…and if I was a betting man,that’s why the fisher are fewer. Bingo! Cats all over the monadnock region. & hardly a fisher track to be found, I have to chuckle at all the missing kitty posters all around too..... I can't think that cats are going to be a major factor. I don't doubt a cat might catch one by surprise here or there............. But if the fisher is ANYWHERE near a tree, a cat wouldn't stand much of a chance in catching it. 8117 Steve R............. Here in PA they exploded and maintained a population in rolling farmland with small-ish wood plots and very little "mature" forests. They are seemingly VERY adaptable like other critters that are traditionally "big woods" dwellers like whitetails, turkeys and black bears.
Wollen nicht krank dein feind. Planen es.
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: Eagleye]
#7652606
08/18/22 02:43 PM
08/18/22 02:43 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,542 West Central MN
20scout
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,542
West Central MN
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They seem to be thicker than fleas on a hound dog around here. 6 day season with a limit of 2. Catch them all the time in my coyote sets before and after the season but hardly during. Neighbor lost 50 chickens in two nights due to one small female fisher.
Common sense is a not a vegetable that does well in everyone's garden.
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: Eagleye]
#7652620
08/18/22 03:20 PM
08/18/22 03:20 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,791 MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
Trapper7
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,791
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
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Fisher are as good in a tree as a squirrel. A few years ago I watched a fisher chase a grey squirrel on one of my big oak trees. They went round and round the tree. That fisher was as agile and at home on that tree as the squirrel was. The squirrel got away as it ran down a hole in the tree. The fisher was too big to follow. I wish I'd had a camera at the time. That was so cool!
Must be nice to eat ice cream as fast as you want and not have to worry about brain freeze.
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Re: Declining Fisher Populations
[Re: Eagleye]
#7652630
08/18/22 03:32 PM
08/18/22 03:32 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,620 MB
Jurassic Park
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,620
MB
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I don’t think a Bobcat would fare to well against a Male Fisher. Even a female Fisher would be a lot of fight for a bobcat compared to a bird or a rabbit. I can see Bobcats going after young Fisher, but not adults.
Cold as ice!
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