Unit 1 [PDF] - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Trees, like wildlife,
are renewable.
USDA Photo
State agencies have the
legislative authority to manage
wildlife on behalf of the public.
Chapter 5 - Furbearer Management
Department of Natural Resources manages Wisconsin’s furbearer resources
for the benefit of all citizens of the state. The Department recognizes that
furbearers have a variety of ecological, cultural, economic and aesthetic
values, and that these values can be positive or negative. Also, since values are
determined by people, not nature, the same furbearer can have a wide range of
values depending on the time, the place, and who is being affected by it.
In order to responsibly manage furbearers, the Department monitors
populations and harvests, sets regulations, maintains habitats, and enforces laws
related to furbearers.
Seasons
Trapping and hunting seasons are based on furbearer populations. Seasons
are not permitted if they are deemed detrimental to the survival of the species.
Once biological requirements are met, further decisions are based primarily
on the concerns of people who use, value, or are affected by the resource.
Opportunity, fur primeness, damage problems, landowner concerns, nonharvest
values, disease and other factors all enter into these decisions and opportunities.
No furbearer species has ever become endangered or threatened as a result of
regulated trapping.
Surveys
Harvest and fur value surveys are conducted for all harvestable furbearer
species in Wisconsin. For species that are more sensitive, harvest figures are
determined through pelt registration. For those species, carcasses are collected
from trappers and hunters, and information on location, sex ratios, age and
productivity are used to assess the health of the population. A number of special
surveys may also be used to evaluate particular areas of concern.
Habitat
Although furbearers often are not the highest priority in many habitat
management programs, the fact remains that furbearing animals are primary
beneficiaries of many of these practices. This is particularly true of wetland
areas, which are prime habitat for muskrat, mink, beaver, raccoon, fox,
and other furbearers. In fact, furbearers often do so well in these areas that
conflicts develop with management for other species such as waterfowl. Forest
management practices also influence furbearer populations, with some species
favoring early successional stages of vegetation, and others favoring later
stages.
Enforcement
Hundreds of trained conservation officers in Wisconsin enforce laws and
regulations relating to furbearers. Of course, they have many other duties
in addition to furbearer regulations, but they are always interested in, and
concerned about situations where violations are occurring. It is important,
Wisconsin Trapper Education Manual 53