New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

DEC Announces the Start of 2007-2008 "Water Trapping" Seasons

"Water trapping" seasons start in many parts of the state on Sunday, Nov. 25 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. On this day, the season also opens for beaver in many areas of eastern and central New York and the season for mink and muskrat opens throughout the Southern Zone area of eastern, central, and western parts of the state. In a small portion of eastern New York, river otter trapping also opens on Nov. 25.

"These furbearing species have secure populations and may be found in many suitable habitats throughout the state," said Grannis. "New York's trappers have been an essential part of DEC's conservation and wildlife management programs for years, keeping wildlife population in proper balance with the environment."

This year's Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide is available on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/ , or at any of the DEC regional offices. Trappers are advised to carefully check the guide to confirm the open dates and seasons for each species in the area that they wish to trap, along with the regulations about the setting of traps. The new regulation regarding the setting of body-gripping traps on land does not apply to the setting of body-gripping traps in the water, the typical trap used to capture beaver and muskrat.

Trappers are required to complete a mandatory trapper education course taught by volunteer instructors trained by the Department. New York's trapper education course stresses safe and ethical trapping methods, including best practices for trapping using the latest technology and innovations in trap design and use.

Trappers are also required to have a trapping license and they must follow regulations that include restrictions on the size and design of traps, placement of traps, and mandatory trap checking requirements. Additionally, trappers are required to report the taking of beaver and river otter and each animal must have a plastic seal placed on the pelt before it may be sold or moved out of New York State. These reporting requirements help the Department's biologists improve the conservation programs for these species.