North Dakota Outdoors Magazine August-September 2012 ...

fFURBEARERSFURBEARERSFor season details, refer to the North DakotaGame and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov, or the 2012-13 furbearer hunting andtrapping guide.Trappers legally harvested fishers forthe first time last year in eastern NorthDakota, and the opportunity to pursuethis large member of the weasel family hasbeen expanded this year with an increasedquota of 15 animals.Spring surveys indicate muskrat andmink numbers increased statewide comparedto last year, with the highest indicescoming from central North Dakota. However,reduced water levels in many wetlandsthis summer may have a profound effect onnumbers of these semi-aquatic furbearersavailable this fall. The mink trappingseason will be extended into the spring tocoincide with muskrat seasons.Despite some slightly decreasing trends,coyotes and raccoons remain abundantthroughout the state, providing amplehunting and trapping opportunities. Foxand skunk trends are down statewidecompared to last year. Beaver numbers aresimilar to last year.Trappers and hunters harvested 74 bobcatslast season, an increase of 47 percentfrom the previous season. The milder winterno doubt contributed to this increase inharvest.The Game and Fish Department hasinitiated a research project on mountainlions in the badlands region, whichincludes tagging and radio-collaringmountain lions. Research objectivesinclude determining survival rates, habitatuse and mountain lion movements inNorth Dakota. Additionally, the researchwill assist in helping set hunting quotas infuture years.Starting this season, pelt tags will be distributedfor legally taken mountain lions.Research surveys also continue forriver otters in central and western NorthDakota. If you know of river otters inyour area, please contact Game and Fish at(701) 328-6300.Stephanie Tucker,Furbearer Biologist, BismarckMOUNTAIN LIONSZone 1 (early) Opens: Aug. 31Closes: Nov. 25Zone 1 (late) Opens: Nov. 26Closes: March 31, 2013Zone 2 Opens: Aug. 31Closes: March 31, 2013There is a quota of 14 mountain lionsin Zone 1 early season. If the quota isreached, the early season in Zone 1 willclose immediately. The quota in the lateseason is seven lions. If that quota isreached, the late season in Zone 1 willclose immediately.There is no mountain lion quota inZone 2.Mountain lions may be huntedstatewide by residents using legalfirearms or archery equipment duringregular hunting hours. BeginningNov. 26, mountain lions mayalso be harvested by pursuing withdogs. Cable devices and traps arenot allowed. The limit is one lion perhunter per season. Kittens (lions withvisible spots), or females accompaniedby kittens, may not be taken. Any liontaken must be reported to the Departmentwithin 12 hours and the entireintact animal must be submitted foranalysis. Legally taken animals will bereturned to the hunter.For more information, see the NorthDakota 2012-13 Furbearer Guide.FISHER TRAPPING AND CABLEDEVICESOpens: Nov. 26Closes: March 15, 2013There is a quota of 15 fishers. Ifthe quota is reached, the season will closeimmediately.Fishers may be harvested by NorthDakota residents only in the open area eastof U.S. Highway 281 and ND Highway 4.The limit is one animal per trapper per season.Any fisher taken must be reported tothe Department within 12 hours. The peltmust be removed from the carcass prior topresenting the animal to the Departmentfor tagging. The carcass shall remain withthe Department.For more information, see the NorthDakota 2012-13 Furbearer Guide.WEASEL HUNTINGOpens: Nov. 26Closes: March 15, 2013A long-tailed weasel in its white winter coat.CRAIG BIHRLE16 ND Outdoors August-September 2012