Post by bobsamuelson on Mar 11, 2006 23:35:41 GMT -5
Okay, I may ruffle some feathers, but here goes.
The Ny River otter restoration project has been going on now since 1994/95. Does anyone know if there has been an updated census on the population to see how they are doing? Is the population growing? Has it remained stable? How big are the litters? Are there any management plans being looked at?
I am wondering as I have not heard one word on the population, except beaver trappers were catching too many too soon. I, for one, have been seeing otter sign all over the areas that I water trap. It is only a matter of time, despite my best efforts, before I catch one.
Some info on this would be appreciated. I don't know who might know,(Maybe Gordon Batchelor), but I beleive the corporate dollars will ultimately determine if and when we ever get an otter season. Unfortunately, I do not beleive the DEC has a good population count, as they are not out in the field to do the looking. I may be wrong on this, but I doubt it. I reported some of the first sign I found, but because of the unnecessary new restrictions, I won't until the restrictions are recinded, we get an otter season, or the DEC offers up some info on their management plans.
Some of this may have been covered at the last NYSTA meeting, but I was having truck problems and couldn't make it.
My proposal, If the population is stable enough, would be to have a lottery like they have in Pa. for their Bobcat season. I feel this would help the DEC with their research on the distribution and health of our otters. If there is any misinformation that I have presented, I appologize. Please, feel free to correct me on anything I stated.
Sorry for rambling. I hope some good info comes from this.
Bob Samuelson
The Ny River otter restoration project has been going on now since 1994/95. Does anyone know if there has been an updated census on the population to see how they are doing? Is the population growing? Has it remained stable? How big are the litters? Are there any management plans being looked at?
I am wondering as I have not heard one word on the population, except beaver trappers were catching too many too soon. I, for one, have been seeing otter sign all over the areas that I water trap. It is only a matter of time, despite my best efforts, before I catch one.
Some info on this would be appreciated. I don't know who might know,(Maybe Gordon Batchelor), but I beleive the corporate dollars will ultimately determine if and when we ever get an otter season. Unfortunately, I do not beleive the DEC has a good population count, as they are not out in the field to do the looking. I may be wrong on this, but I doubt it. I reported some of the first sign I found, but because of the unnecessary new restrictions, I won't until the restrictions are recinded, we get an otter season, or the DEC offers up some info on their management plans.
Some of this may have been covered at the last NYSTA meeting, but I was having truck problems and couldn't make it.
My proposal, If the population is stable enough, would be to have a lottery like they have in Pa. for their Bobcat season. I feel this would help the DEC with their research on the distribution and health of our otters. If there is any misinformation that I have presented, I appologize. Please, feel free to correct me on anything I stated.
Sorry for rambling. I hope some good info comes from this.
Bob Samuelson