Montana 2002 Furbearer Season Is Underway

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Montana’s general land-trapping furbearer season for bobcat, marten, fisher, and wolverine opened Dec. 1.   The general water-trapping furbearer season began on Nov. 1 for beaver, otter, muskrat and mink.  

Trapping seasons end on Feb. 15, 2003 for terrestrial furbearers and April 15, 2003 for semi-aquatic furbearers. Season closures may vary, however, if the harvest quotas are met prior to season closing dates.   The bobcat season runs until March 1, 2003 in the central and eastern portion of the state and ends Feb. 15 in western Montana.

Otter harvests are under a quota system this season, so trappers must report their harvest to FWP within 24 hours.   Otter pelts must be tagged and registered within five days.

Furbearers are designated under state law and may be harvested during limited seasons. Harvest quotas, season length, and trapping methods are regulated by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission.   The 2002 and 2003 Montana Trapping Regulations are available at any FWP office.

  Trappers and hunters should also be aware that lynx cannot be taken in Montana.   The lynx is listed as a threatened species in 14 states, including Montana, under the federal Endangered Species Act.   Taking a lynx by trapping or shooting is prohibited.   Accidentally captured lynx must be reported to an FWP office.

Nearly 3,000 resident trapper licenses were sold in Montana last year.   FWP expects populations of most furbearer species to be very good this season, with beaver, bobcat and marten numbers high.   Other wildlife species such as coyote, fox and raccoon also are abundant across portions of the state.

Species quotas for bobcat, fisher and otter are in place so trappers and houndsmen should call 1-800-711-8727 or visit the FWP website at www.fwp.state.mt.us to obtain current harvest information during the furbearer seasons.