Why does New York have three seperate fisher seasons? Worst is the 5 day season in October in the Southern Tier counties. Why in October when they are not prime and why only 5 days? Either you have a trapable population or you do not. Which is it? NYSDEC likes to brag about fisher expansion in these counties, but it happened naturally, not through their efforts.
Next is the Adirondack season, where the population has declined. NYSDEC had to be told by trappers of this occurence, they were too busy doing other things. So how did they react? They shortened the season,BUT ON THE WRONG END! No regard to fur primeness, They cited a DEC/Cornell survey which was carefully worded to trick trappers into saying what they wanted.Their own St.Lawrence county survey showing no negative affects from a later season , but was ignored. The survey conducted by NYSTA was completely ignored.NYSDEC talked the term "trophy" and played right into the arguments of the animal rights people.
The final season is in the Catskills,Tug Hill, and St.Lawrence county areas.It runs from October 25 until December 10. Why open that early and catch blue fisher?
Over the years I have supplied DEC with everything from carcasses, skulls,set locations,and even beaver meat. You would think they could meet us halfway with a reasonable fisher season, but no, they take a condescending attitude that only they know anything about fisher. I truly believe they are governed by politics first, not wildlife management. The first order of business is covering their backsides. As for me, I'm just an old grouch in the corner not willing to play their games. Think I'm crazy, just look at their failures on whitetail management, or look at the still closed otter seasons in western New York.Mohawk Valley, and Catskills.

Unfortunately well said. Always remember the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

I agree, but my question is why would anyone want to trap fisher given today’s market price and all the hoops the NYSDEC made trappers jump threw the last few years ? ie. Trapper log, tooth and carcass submission, special permit.

I have given up trapping fisher or Marten in NY until the DEC does away with all of the nonsense, or the fur price goes up drastically. So most likely I will not trap them ever again. And I think that is the NYSDEC’s ultimate goal ?

The NYSDEC usually has a booth at the NYS Trappers convention in Frankfort, NY starting this Thursday -Saturday. One can always air your grievances to them face to face there.

I trap fisher because I love doing it. They are my favorite species, and for me it is not about the money. I understand where you are coming from and will not be trapping mink or muskrats because of prices. Any fisher I catch are going in the freezer until I see what is happening in the market. Unfortunately I don't see any improvement in the market, or ever.

I sent a letter to DEC on the proposed fisher season years ago and never got a reply. They say fisher numbers are down in the eastern ADK's but I said look at all the timber land the state took out of forest mgmt. which changes the habitat for fisher. Also, many big fisher number trappers have died or quite trapping which lowers the take numbers. The St Lawrence fisher study was hidden under the rug. So much for following the science, no science or engineering at DEC, pure politics.

I’m not sure what you could do to improve things.
But 5 days season blows my mind, that’s crazy.

I havent trapped for fisher in 5 years...with only a limit of 2...I say let them rebound. And I love fisher trapping. NH let's us trap for the month of Dec only for fisher...and they are prime.

Mike , like you said, Many big Fisher trappers are gone or quit trapping. Speaking for myself, In town where I trapped Fisher, I would be the only one putting any numbers in that area count. I stoped trapping Fisher a few years ago & so have a few trappers I know. So I to believe this is where DEC is getting thing these lower number of Fisher counts. I have camera's out & have not noticed any drop in Fisher numbers, Just a drop in trappers.
Politics is dame straight. Letter after letter to try & have a later season for Fisher, They turn and make November 1-30 season, Witch I believe is to early
.

Unfortunately I live in a no Fisher trapping zone and have to drive to the 5 day "blue" season for Fisher. Also no otter trapping and all kinds of extra rules for beaver trapping because of it.
NYSDEC is a broken system ruled by politics and stupidity.

X2 on all the comments. I trap in the Catskills and with the season closing on Dec 10th, I am on a constant collision course with deer hunters! Not to mention the fact that fisher do not move good until it gets cold and some snow cover.

There is a certain degree of arrogance within some, but not all, of our wildlife biologists. The five day season is the ultimate in stupidity. One day is already shot just putting out the traps. As I said before, either you have a population large enough to sustain trapping or you do not.I have a pretty good idea what mental giant dreamed this up.
In my region (5) the population was declining, but our biologist was too busy radio collaring pine marten, a species that is increasing in numbers.
I hate to think how many meetings the JTI had with DEC on this issue. Dates of New England states fisher seasons were completely ignored. Input from experienced trappers was ignored as well as the St.Lawrence County study which I previously pointed out. They pick and choose what they want.
So in all of their brilliance they instituted programs; now we had to surrender all fisher skulls, keep a daily log, and apply for a special fisher license. They collected thousands of skulls, which are added money for a trapper.They preached their college theory of TPOE (traps per unit of effort) which anyone with half a brain can blow holes in. Weather conditions in themselves can affect catch!
Years ago wildlife biologists like Mark Brown and Gary Parsons closely monitored populations and if they dropped too low they simply closed the season for a year or too. AND IT WORKED.
To pour more salt in the wound I was asked to participate in Best Management studies for fisher in New York. My suggestions for the best, humane traps fell upon deaf ears and I was told what traps to use. So much for a study!

The only thing NYSDEC has changed recently is you no longer need a special permit, complete a log or surrender a skull/jaw. For Fisher.
A special permit is still needed for marten

That is a small step in the right direction. Since fisher and marten require having the pelts sealed they have an accurate numbers count on the catch and the townships where takenWhy then is a special permit needed?More bureaucratic B.S
I could go along with a one year season closure in the central adirondacks to let the population rebound, PROVIDED they set a uniform statewide season during the month of December. That would provide prime pelts and would eliminate a lot of the conflict with deer hunters.

Imo a one year closure would end up just like the otter closure.

In regards to the tug Hill season running from Oct. 25-Dec.10, is really not a long season for any fisher trapper who wants prime pelts. since Most trappers there that I know wait until the 2nd week of Nov. , it’s really about a 24 day season.
And the Marten season is even more screwed up. But what the heck, what do trappers know. LOL

A good point. How many years has there been a closed otter season? Biologists retired, but closure continues. Secret deals????
I too wait until the second week of November on fisher.We don't have those extra 10 days in December.

Yup….here in NH ,deer season ends the First week of Dec. So I set up for fisher …after deer season for that very reason.

That’s another issue……they now have our deer season running from Oct 1 until Jan 1 with the extra week they have now tacked on!!!

They must have imported some of Minn. finest bio's to come up with that reasoning

any fisher before 1 Dec grades a 1-2........so trophy hunting it is

sorry Min guys but you set the bar......awfully low with your seasons lengths and times