|
Post by ubfishers on Apr 16, 2023 12:52:44 GMT -5
Hello, I am an university student at The University at Buffalo who is currently writing a paper about fisher conservation and the important roles that trappers play in the DEC's management plan. I have a few questions and I would appreciate if you could answer any of them
Questions:
1) Where in NYS are you located and how long have you been trapping fishers? 2) What role do trappers play in the conservation of fishers? 3) Have you personally noticed any changes in fisher populations? 4) Thoughts and opinions on the NYS DEC restrictions on fisher trapping in the past decade? Do you find that NYS communicates effectively with trappers? Would you describe their conservation efforts successful? 5) Some people believe hunting and trapping directly interfere with conservation efforts, How would you respond to these concerns?
Thanks and feel free to share any additional information outside the questions if you wish.
|
|
|
Post by trappermac on Apr 16, 2023 17:00:24 GMT -5
I'd like to ask if you are a trapper?
What is your major at UB and for which class that you're taking is this paper being done for?
Are you from Buffalo?
|
|
|
Post by ubfishers on Apr 16, 2023 17:12:10 GMT -5
I'd like to ask if you are a trapper? What is your major at UB and for which class that you're taking is this paper being done for? Are you from Buffalo? I am not a trapper, and I'm posting here to learn about their experiences. I am a Biomedical Sciences Major and the course is a Writing in Science course. When I get to take courses outside my major I try to take environment and sustainability courses as its an important topic that interests me. Yes, I've lived in Amherst my whole life and went to the Williamsville School District.
|
|
|
Post by trappermac on Apr 16, 2023 18:52:31 GMT -5
Can you tell me your views on trapping?
|
|
|
Post by tony1967 on Apr 16, 2023 18:57:23 GMT -5
1) Where in NYS are you located and how long have you been trapping fishers?
I am in southwestern NY and have trapped fishers since it became legal in my area (I believe in 2015 or 2016).
2) What role do trappers play in the conservation of fishers?
Trappers play a huge role. We are the only method of harvesting that is legal. Keeping the population at a stable level is key. Unfortunately, in my area the season is only 6 days and is at a time when fishers are not prime. Also, with an early season, fishers have an abundance of food and catching them is even less likely than in a winter season.
3) Have you personally noticed any changes in fisher populations?
I see fisher populations growing in my area. I believe a longer season is warranted and needs to be later in the year when fur is prime.
4) Thoughts and opinions on the NYS DEC restrictions on fisher trapping in the past decade?
The restrictions in my area are not conducive to effective management of the resource and also does not take into effect the fur quality. The short, early season in my area makes it very difficult to catch fishers, and the fur is not prime making it worth much less than a later season would.
Do you find that NYS communicates effectively with trappers?
Not really. Our NYSTA website is rarely updated and I don’t receive any communications directly from NYS regarding trapping.
Would you describe their conservation efforts successful?
That seems to be a loaded question. What are the conservation efforts? Do we have more fishers in my area, yes. Are they being harvested properly (when fur is prime), no.
5) Some people believe hunting and trapping directly interfere with conservation efforts, How would you respond to these concerns?
How do non hunters and trappers want “conservation” to happen? When the population gets too high, animals will die of disease or starvation. Is that better than a consistent, humane harvest by hunters and trappers? Hunters and trappers provide funds through license fees that goes directly to conservation. I imagine that these other folks don’t donate a dime, but seem to know what is best without doing a thing.
|
|
|
Post by ubfishers on Apr 16, 2023 20:07:31 GMT -5
Can you tell me your views on trapping? Although unregulated trapping can be dangerous for the management of species and entire ecosystems, regulated trapping can be an important tool for conservation. Trappers can help control overpopulation of species in a way that is easily adjustable by the state (expanding/shrinking seasons, bag limits, etc.). Trappers can provide comprehensive wildlife data for the state in a resource efficient manner. Also in a world run by money, selling permits gives the state a financial incentive to properly manage species population.
|
|
paintedpaw
Retired NYSDEC Lake George Ranger
Posts: 691
|
Post by paintedpaw on Apr 17, 2023 9:31:22 GMT -5
What DEC management plan? I am an adirondack fisher trapper for better than 40 years.Back then DEC controlled the population by closing the season for a year or two if the population got too low.Fishers back then were king. Unfortunately the adirondack populaton has declined greatly under the mismanagement of a newer generation of DEC biologists. There are some good biologists in DEC, but when it comes to fisher management they have done very poorly.They have no concern for harvesting a valuable,renewable resource when it is prime. There is an arrogant condescending attitude towards trappers.They send out surveys carefully worded to trick trappers into supporting what they are already planning.They opened a season in the southern tier in October, far too early to be prime! In the Adirondacks they shortened the season, but on the wrong end! There was a BMP study (BEST Management Practices) but THEY determined what traps to use and refused to listen to trapper suggestions.DEC is purely political, nothing gets approved without passing through the governor's office and consequently these biologists are primarily concerned with covering their butts and preserving their jobs. As for the NYS Trappers Association, they do a very poor job communicating with their members. They do employ a lobbyist in Albany.
|
|
|
Post by trappermac on Apr 17, 2023 13:15:49 GMT -5
Can you tell me your views on trapping? Although unregulated trapping can be dangerous for the management of species and entire ecosystems, regulated trapping can be an important tool for conservation. Trappers can help control overpopulation of species in a way that is easily adjustable by the state (expanding/shrinking seasons, bag limits, etc.). Trappers can provide comprehensive wildlife data for the state in a resource efficient manner. Also in a world run by money, selling permits gives the state a financial incentive to properly manage species population. Thank you for responding to my questions. As a trapper and not knowing who you are just wanted to get a feel for your intent, wouldn't be the first time us trappers were asked for input and an incorrect spin was put to it when presented to the non trapping public. My responses would echo the sentiments written my Tony above in his post. Don't think I could say it any better than he did. We trap the same region and it's obvious our observations have been the same. Likewise we both feel the same on the season being short, and at a time when the fisher is not prime. We also feel the same regarding communication from NYSTA as well as DEC. Painted Paw is from a different region, he is in the Adirondacks and their situation with fisher is different than ours and you should consider him a valuable resource for your project given his history as a fisher trapper and former President of NYSTA. Best of luck to you.
|
|
|
Post by ubfishers on Apr 17, 2023 15:31:41 GMT -5
Although unregulated trapping can be dangerous for the management of species and entire ecosystems, regulated trapping can be an important tool for conservation. Trappers can help control overpopulation of species in a way that is easily adjustable by the state (expanding/shrinking seasons, bag limits, etc.). Trappers can provide comprehensive wildlife data for the state in a resource efficient manner. Also in a world run by money, selling permits gives the state a financial incentive to properly manage species population. Thank you for responding to my questions. As a trapper and not knowing who you are just wanted to get a feel for your intent, wouldn't be the first time us trappers were asked for input and an incorrect spin was put to it when presented to the non trapping public. My responses would echo the sentiments written my Tony above in his post. Don't think I could say it any better than he did. We trap the same region and it's obvious our observations have been the same. Likewise we both feel the same on the season being short, and at a time when the fisher is not prime. We also feel the same regarding communication from NYSTA as well as DEC. Painted Paw is from a different region, he is in the Adirondacks and their situation with fisher is different than ours and you should consider him a valuable resource for your project given his history as a fisher trapper and former President of NYSTA. Best of luck to you. Thank you and I was happy to answer them! If you wouldn't mind, could you expand on previous instances of people with ill intentions twisting the words of trappers?
|
|
|
Post by trappermac on Apr 19, 2023 16:48:37 GMT -5
I have nothing specific for you, but it's common knowledge that anti groups have used pictures grabbed from trappers social media sites and have turned the modern trap into a torture device with their false descriptions.
|
|
|
Post by fisher on Jun 23, 2023 16:49:36 GMT -5
good job tony and paintedpaw
|
|