Post by Itrapny on Mar 2, 2015 5:45:09 GMT -5
Fellow NY Trappers,
The leadership of NYSTA and the JTI Committee would like to make you all aware that the NYSDEC has recently released their new draft management plan for fisher in New York. The plan is out for public review and comment through March 21, 2015. The ten year draft plan can be viewed on the NYSDEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/draftnyfishermgmtplan.pdf
Trappers, this is one of those times that we need as much support as possible. We need every trapper in NY to be informed of this plan and the effects it could have not just on trapping as we know it today, but onward into the future as well. This is the first time that the NYSDEC has elected to use bag limits to control the harvest of any furbearer, other than marten, in NY. We have been told that this option will be on the table, in the future, as management plans are developed for other furbearers as well. They intend to shorten the fisher trapping season in the Adirondack region of the Northern Zone by more than 50%. The far reaching, long range effects of some parts of this plan, if implemented as written, could negatively affect trappers for decades. EVERY trapper needs to take the time to respond to this plan with their comments by March 21, 2015. I cannot stress that fact enough. Don't think for a minute that your comments won't count or that enough of “the other guys” will comment so you don't really need to. We need you to take the time to look over the plan, review the NYSTA position regarding that plan, draft and forward your own comments on this plan to the NYSDEC now, before it is too late to act.
Please forward your comments by email to: wildlife@dec.ny.gov and you must put “Fisher Plan” in the subject line of your email. You can also submit comments in writing to NYSDEC Bureau of Fish and Wildlife, Fisher Management Plan, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 Please do it today!
On the following pages you will find an outline of the official position of the NYSTA, as drafted by the JTI Committee. Please use this information freely to help develop your own personal written response to the NYSDEC. It is important to be courteous and respectful with your comments.
Also, please do not hesitate to contact myself, any other NYSTA Officer, NYSTA Regional Director, or JTI Committee member if you need more information or have any questions you need answered prior to sending in your comments. You can find that contact information on the NYSTA website.
Thank you!
John Rockwood, President
New York State Trappers Association
Phone: 315-415-4946
Email: loggerjohnr@aol.com
Official Position of the New York State Trappers Association Relative to the 2015 NYSDEC Draft Fisher Management Plan for NY
The New York State Trappers Association fully supports and remains committed to the conservation and wise use of our renewable natural resources.
We support:
1. Expanded harvest opportunities in new WMUs across Central and Southern New York. Fisher populations have increased dramatically across many areas of NY where previously there have been no open harvest seasons. We are very pleased that the Department recognizes that sustainable harvests can now be accomplished in those WMUs.
2. Continued scientific studies of furbearer species distribution, habitat requirements and population dynamics that support preparation of defensible furbearer management decisions regarding harvest opportunities.
3. The utilization of sound scientific data, collected in NY, upon which to base future management decisions relative to the harvest of fisher in NY. Using old, outdated studies is unacceptable as is using study data from other states/provinces. There are too many factors, unique to NY, that provide other variables that do not exist in other places.
4. The use of season length and timing to manipulate the numbers of fisher harvested. This has been the policy of the NYSDEC, in regard to all furbearers except American Pine Marten, in NY for decades. Fisher populations have expanded dynamically in many parts of New York State. There is absolutely no need for using bag limits at all, let alone in conjunction with shortened season length.
5. The setting of season dates for valuable furbearers; such as marten, fisher, otter, and bobcats; to allow for harvesting when their fur is prime. Seasons for some of these species are relatively short so opportunity should be provided with true conservation principles in mind.
6. Studies to determine the true status of the fisher population in the Adirondacks. If it is scientifically proven that the fisher population in the Adirondacks is truly in decline, then further studies should be undertaken to determine how to reverse that decline and do so with the least resulting impact to trappers.
7. Maintaining the length of the present fisher trapping season, without bag limits, throughout the Northern Zone and the Catskills. However, we feel that the season dates of October 25 through December 10 is inconsistent with proper conservation principles as too many lower quality fisher are harvested in the early part of this season. To allow for better alignment with such conservation principles, we would like to propose a 46 day season starting November 15 and ending December 31 which would provide for much better quality fisher to be harvested. Doing so would provide the same amount of opportunity to trappers as the earlier season and provide better use of this valuable resource as well as alignment with proper conservation principles.
8. Concurrent closing dates, regardless of what the opening dates are, in all WMUs with an open trapping season for fisher. This would simplify things for trappers, law enforcement, and pelt sealers.
We Oppose:
1. Bag limits on any species of furbearer, other than American Pine Marten, in the state of New York. Documentation within the plan itself shows that the length and timing of the season are sufficient to manipulate the harvest numbers. Using the length and timing of the season is far less cumbersome, to both ECOs and trappers, than bag limits.
2. Shortened fisher and/or marten trapping seasons that advocate that the days lost are at the latter end of the season. Documentation in the plan shows that fisher trappers are most successful in the early part of the season. It would only stand to reason that if the Department wanted to reduce the harvest, while at the same time provide a sensible opportunity for trappers to harvest fisher under true conservation principles, that a later starting date rather than an earlier closing date would be utilized.
3. A shortened season in the Adirondacks prior to conducting proper studies to determine the true necessity of such actions. The admitted supposition, by the Department, that the fisher population of the Adirondacks is in perpetual decline is based purely on assumptions. There is no factual evidence nor current study data to support the Department's assumptions which are based solely on pelt sealing data. Other very real factors exist that could influence the harvest numbers in this region such as the overall aging of the trapper population in NY (effort naturally and of necessity, declines with age), fuel prices, pelt prices, loss of reasonable access, changes of land ownership, and the general overall economics of trapping a low density species.
4. Multiple different closing dates for fisher seasons in various WMUs or WMU aggregates. The closing date for all WMUs where fisher trapping is allowed must remain concurrent for the sake of proper law enforcement and ease (as well as cost) of pelt sealing requirements. This plan proposes three different fisher seasons, all opening at the same time but closing on three very different dates. This directs a 30 day commitment of availability to be made by all Department personnel involved with pelt sealing. There will be a huge cost incurred by the Department associated with that availability. DEC law enforcement personnel, already limited in number and crippled by limited resources, will be deterred from dealing with issues arising along the border lines of the various WMUs affected by differing season dates. The potential for tainted data is increased dramatically as well, especially in regard to pelt sealing data.
Additionally:
1. The value of the opportunity to harvest a fisher cannot be quantified by the timing of the dates of the open season, but the opportunity to harvest a quality fisher IS determined by those dates.
2. The data from prior Cornell University trapper surveys is dated and the use of it in this plan is inappropriate. Trappers were unaware of any potential fisher trapping season in “expansion WMUs” when answering those survey questions.
3. Using TPUE as data to estimate population is only accurate if weather, age, experience, and economic factors relative to trappers and trapping remain constant for all seasons evaluated and compared.
4. Using the term “trophy” to describe any furbearer is most likely to give many in the non
trapping public the impression that trappers kill wildlife just for the sake of a “trophy”.
5. Use of study data from places other than NY, as well as use of dated data, could be totally irrelevant, misleading, unreliable, and/or detrimental
6. Trapping is a heritage and a lifestyle and as such needs to be preserved and protected. Placing further unwarranted restrictions on trappers is incrementally destroying this heritage and lifestyle.
The leadership of NYSTA and the JTI Committee would like to make you all aware that the NYSDEC has recently released their new draft management plan for fisher in New York. The plan is out for public review and comment through March 21, 2015. The ten year draft plan can be viewed on the NYSDEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/draftnyfishermgmtplan.pdf
Trappers, this is one of those times that we need as much support as possible. We need every trapper in NY to be informed of this plan and the effects it could have not just on trapping as we know it today, but onward into the future as well. This is the first time that the NYSDEC has elected to use bag limits to control the harvest of any furbearer, other than marten, in NY. We have been told that this option will be on the table, in the future, as management plans are developed for other furbearers as well. They intend to shorten the fisher trapping season in the Adirondack region of the Northern Zone by more than 50%. The far reaching, long range effects of some parts of this plan, if implemented as written, could negatively affect trappers for decades. EVERY trapper needs to take the time to respond to this plan with their comments by March 21, 2015. I cannot stress that fact enough. Don't think for a minute that your comments won't count or that enough of “the other guys” will comment so you don't really need to. We need you to take the time to look over the plan, review the NYSTA position regarding that plan, draft and forward your own comments on this plan to the NYSDEC now, before it is too late to act.
Please forward your comments by email to: wildlife@dec.ny.gov and you must put “Fisher Plan” in the subject line of your email. You can also submit comments in writing to NYSDEC Bureau of Fish and Wildlife, Fisher Management Plan, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754 Please do it today!
On the following pages you will find an outline of the official position of the NYSTA, as drafted by the JTI Committee. Please use this information freely to help develop your own personal written response to the NYSDEC. It is important to be courteous and respectful with your comments.
Also, please do not hesitate to contact myself, any other NYSTA Officer, NYSTA Regional Director, or JTI Committee member if you need more information or have any questions you need answered prior to sending in your comments. You can find that contact information on the NYSTA website.
Thank you!
John Rockwood, President
New York State Trappers Association
Phone: 315-415-4946
Email: loggerjohnr@aol.com
Official Position of the New York State Trappers Association Relative to the 2015 NYSDEC Draft Fisher Management Plan for NY
The New York State Trappers Association fully supports and remains committed to the conservation and wise use of our renewable natural resources.
We support:
1. Expanded harvest opportunities in new WMUs across Central and Southern New York. Fisher populations have increased dramatically across many areas of NY where previously there have been no open harvest seasons. We are very pleased that the Department recognizes that sustainable harvests can now be accomplished in those WMUs.
2. Continued scientific studies of furbearer species distribution, habitat requirements and population dynamics that support preparation of defensible furbearer management decisions regarding harvest opportunities.
3. The utilization of sound scientific data, collected in NY, upon which to base future management decisions relative to the harvest of fisher in NY. Using old, outdated studies is unacceptable as is using study data from other states/provinces. There are too many factors, unique to NY, that provide other variables that do not exist in other places.
4. The use of season length and timing to manipulate the numbers of fisher harvested. This has been the policy of the NYSDEC, in regard to all furbearers except American Pine Marten, in NY for decades. Fisher populations have expanded dynamically in many parts of New York State. There is absolutely no need for using bag limits at all, let alone in conjunction with shortened season length.
5. The setting of season dates for valuable furbearers; such as marten, fisher, otter, and bobcats; to allow for harvesting when their fur is prime. Seasons for some of these species are relatively short so opportunity should be provided with true conservation principles in mind.
6. Studies to determine the true status of the fisher population in the Adirondacks. If it is scientifically proven that the fisher population in the Adirondacks is truly in decline, then further studies should be undertaken to determine how to reverse that decline and do so with the least resulting impact to trappers.
7. Maintaining the length of the present fisher trapping season, without bag limits, throughout the Northern Zone and the Catskills. However, we feel that the season dates of October 25 through December 10 is inconsistent with proper conservation principles as too many lower quality fisher are harvested in the early part of this season. To allow for better alignment with such conservation principles, we would like to propose a 46 day season starting November 15 and ending December 31 which would provide for much better quality fisher to be harvested. Doing so would provide the same amount of opportunity to trappers as the earlier season and provide better use of this valuable resource as well as alignment with proper conservation principles.
8. Concurrent closing dates, regardless of what the opening dates are, in all WMUs with an open trapping season for fisher. This would simplify things for trappers, law enforcement, and pelt sealers.
We Oppose:
1. Bag limits on any species of furbearer, other than American Pine Marten, in the state of New York. Documentation within the plan itself shows that the length and timing of the season are sufficient to manipulate the harvest numbers. Using the length and timing of the season is far less cumbersome, to both ECOs and trappers, than bag limits.
2. Shortened fisher and/or marten trapping seasons that advocate that the days lost are at the latter end of the season. Documentation in the plan shows that fisher trappers are most successful in the early part of the season. It would only stand to reason that if the Department wanted to reduce the harvest, while at the same time provide a sensible opportunity for trappers to harvest fisher under true conservation principles, that a later starting date rather than an earlier closing date would be utilized.
3. A shortened season in the Adirondacks prior to conducting proper studies to determine the true necessity of such actions. The admitted supposition, by the Department, that the fisher population of the Adirondacks is in perpetual decline is based purely on assumptions. There is no factual evidence nor current study data to support the Department's assumptions which are based solely on pelt sealing data. Other very real factors exist that could influence the harvest numbers in this region such as the overall aging of the trapper population in NY (effort naturally and of necessity, declines with age), fuel prices, pelt prices, loss of reasonable access, changes of land ownership, and the general overall economics of trapping a low density species.
4. Multiple different closing dates for fisher seasons in various WMUs or WMU aggregates. The closing date for all WMUs where fisher trapping is allowed must remain concurrent for the sake of proper law enforcement and ease (as well as cost) of pelt sealing requirements. This plan proposes three different fisher seasons, all opening at the same time but closing on three very different dates. This directs a 30 day commitment of availability to be made by all Department personnel involved with pelt sealing. There will be a huge cost incurred by the Department associated with that availability. DEC law enforcement personnel, already limited in number and crippled by limited resources, will be deterred from dealing with issues arising along the border lines of the various WMUs affected by differing season dates. The potential for tainted data is increased dramatically as well, especially in regard to pelt sealing data.
Additionally:
1. The value of the opportunity to harvest a fisher cannot be quantified by the timing of the dates of the open season, but the opportunity to harvest a quality fisher IS determined by those dates.
2. The data from prior Cornell University trapper surveys is dated and the use of it in this plan is inappropriate. Trappers were unaware of any potential fisher trapping season in “expansion WMUs” when answering those survey questions.
3. Using TPUE as data to estimate population is only accurate if weather, age, experience, and economic factors relative to trappers and trapping remain constant for all seasons evaluated and compared.
4. Using the term “trophy” to describe any furbearer is most likely to give many in the non
trapping public the impression that trappers kill wildlife just for the sake of a “trophy”.
5. Use of study data from places other than NY, as well as use of dated data, could be totally irrelevant, misleading, unreliable, and/or detrimental
6. Trapping is a heritage and a lifestyle and as such needs to be preserved and protected. Placing further unwarranted restrictions on trappers is incrementally destroying this heritage and lifestyle.