Ohio DNR Offers Controlled Trapping Opportunities for Beaver, River Otter on Publicly Managed Lands
OutdoorHub 09.17.12
Application period will be open from Sept. 15-Oct. 15
Beaver and river otter trapping on public land requires a special permit, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Controlled beaver and/or river otter trapping opportunities on 75 wildlife areas, state parks and other publicly managed lands statewide will be awarded through a system of random drawings. Applicants may apply online or print an application and mail it in along with all fees, and applications may also be obtained from district offices.
The application period will be Sept. 15-Oct. 15. The application fee is $3 per event. Trappers may apply for each event once annually, and people who apply more than once per event will be disqualified and forfeit his or her application fee. Independent drawings will be held for each event. Application fees are non-refundable, and all applications must be submitted in the name of an adult that holds a current hunting license.
“Our mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, while promoting their use and appreciation by the public,” said Suzie Prange, furbearer biologist for the ODNR Division of Wildlife. “We feel providing fewer trapping restrictions, where warranted, will help us better manage beaver populations and provide a fairer system for all trappers interested in these recreational opportunities.”
Results will be available by mid-November. Applicants will be notified by U.S. mail of the results. Additionally, each applicant can check his or her customer account online to view lottery results for events for which they applied. Trappers chosen to participate may print their permit online, along with any special instructions and maps. The permit to trap applies to the successfully drawn applicant and one named assistant, but the assistant may not be changed once named. Where river otter trapping is allowed, both the permittee and the assistant may trap the legal limit within their zone. All permitted trappers and assistants must be properly licensed.
Beaver trapping permits are not transferable. If a successful applicant is not able to trap an area for which he or she was chosen, the permittee must inform the district office so an alternate can be drawn from the pool of applicants. Trappers must complete and turn in a trapping log for each site for which they are permitted.
The lottery system for awarding controlled beaver and/or river otter trapping opportunities on select public lands in Ohio allows area managers to set specific limits and restrictions based on the trapping opportunities and needs for their areas.
For the wildlife refuge portions of Killbuck Marsh and Mosquito Creek wildlife areas, the current system will not change since they are not part of the lottery system. However, sealed bids will be accepted in September for all furbearer trapping opportunities at these areas.
For official bid proposal forms and other information related to these two areas, contact the Division of Wildlife District Three Office in early September at 330-644-2293. Also, beaver trapping within American Electric Power’s recreation area, known as ReCreation Land, Avondale Wildlife Area and Conesville Coal Lands will continue to require a special beaver trapping permit, in addition to the normal user’s permit. This special beaver trapping permit is issued from the AEP Land Management office in McConnelsville.
For more specific information, visit wildohio.com or call the nearest wildlife district office.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.com.
