Any NY’ers here receive the Cornell Fisher survey ? I filled out the survey but refused to submit it. IMO the whole survey is leading with the ultimate goal to place bag limits, lottery system and shorten the season or all of the above. Then when the state places more regulations on NY fisher trapping, they will point to the survey and say, it is what trappers wanted according to the survey.

Any here that received the survey, what say you ?

Many years ago IL put out a harvest survey that included the feral cat population question and sure enough some hugger used that information to his advantage to stir the pot.

When SD wanted to outlaw rifles for turkey they sent out a long survey leading to that goal, not that I hunted with a rifle but what ticked me off was the final few questions became rifle and pistol questions that never listed pistols before. Since then if a survey lacks a comment box I ignore it or if the outcome is pre determined I don’t waste my time with them.

I receivedthe fisher survey yesterday and felt the questions were quite vague because everything was related to the past 5 years instead of just this season. I answered the questions truthfully but in the comment box I explained that I'd hardly trapped in the past 5 years because prices are so low. Also stated the season for my area should start and end later so the fur is more prime. Then went on to say that I feel Orange county has a very good population and that I could certainly catch more of them if I wanted to.

Remember, none of the people in the furbearer unit in Albany trap. These are the same people who stopped otter trapping in the Catskills and took 20 years to do a otter management plan.

Never underestimate the ability of NYS to screw up anything, anytime we try to assist the DEC we end up being punished. They already know what they're going to do, any meetings to discuss are mandatory, but they don't want any input.

I no longer give them any assistance, opinions or other input, it just comes back to bite you in the butt.

I received an E-Mail regarding the survey, but was unable to open the link. I don't trust Cornell or DEC. I was one of the first to notify DEC of the decline of Fisher in the Central Adirondacks, they were too busy radio collaring Pine Marten to have noticed. DEC reaction was to shorten the Adirondack season , BUT ON THE WRONG END ! I was asked to participate in the BMP fisher survey when the season was half over and my suggestions for the traps best to use were ignored. DEC used a very carefully worded survey to TRICK trappers into what DEC already knew what they were going to do. DEC completely ignored the survey that the NYS Trappers conducted of it's members and they also ignored their own St.Lawrence County study that showed a later season had no negative affects.
DEC came up with collecting jaw bones, required trapping log, and required a special additional trapping permit for fisher in addition to your license. They completely ignored trapper input and tried to justify a flawed college theory (Trap Nights Per Unit of Effort).
Over the years DEC has wanted from trappers, even asking for beaver meat for their studies, but they refuse to meet us half way in return. There is a particular arrogance from one of their leaders and they all play the political game to protect their butts.As has been mentioned just look at how the otter closure in the Catskills and Mohawk Valley, over 20 years, and how they lied and made secret deals with the restoration in western New York.These brilliants even fed contaminated Lake Ontario salmon to the captured otters.
All trappers should BEWARE of this survey and how they may be tricked, once again.

Can anyone take a picture of the survey pages with their phone and post it here? I for one would be interested in seeing it. Eric

The email with the survey link l states,” this URL is only for you, do not share this link with anyone.” That tells you all you need to know.

I agree with fisherman, this survey is to help trappers shoot themselves in the foot.

I did not yet receive this fisher survey but if and when
I do, it will be relegated to the circular file.

My participation in NYS DEC surveys and cooperation with
fur bearer biologists ended when they decided to cut our
northern zone muskrat trapping season by a week
for no sound biological reasons or management goals.

NYS DEC Bureau of Wildlife Management has been
largely infiltrated by anti-consumptive use biologists
whose goals are preservation but not conservation
of our wildlife resources and the gradual elimination
of trapping as a wildlife management tool by all
except commercial nuisance wildlife business interests
and Dept of Agriculture/APHIS federal nuisance trappers.

I will be surprised if the New York State sportsmen are still
engaged in legal, licensed trapping in NYS by the
end of this decade.

walleyed

I left out the place for what they did to the beaver/otter regs., then they killed the small bait/fish stocking business for a fish disease that wasn't present where I got my fish. NEVER filled out any of their surveys/sighting cards when I found out they didn't believe what I wrote!

thanks fisher man I'll take your advice!

Tom,
You very smart to get out of this politically corrupt state from the governor on down. If I were younger I would go too.

I too would like to see this survey which I'm "not to share with anyone". RED FLAG !