COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio hunters and trappers preparing to pursue furbearers will find good populations of these animals during the 2009-10 season, which began yesterday.

For the fifth year, 43 counties will be open for river otter trapping from Dec. 26-Feb. 28, 2010. River otters were reintroduced into four Ohio watersheds between 1986-93 and were removed from the state endangered species list in 2002.

Full details of open counties, checking and permit requirements can be found in the Ohio River Otter Trapping Regulations.

In most regions of Ohio, hunting and trapping seasons for fox, raccoon, opossum, skunk and weasel open Nov. 10 and close Jan. 31.

The trapping season for mink and muskrat is open through Feb. 28. Exceptions are Erie, Ottawa and Sandusky counties, and in Lucas County east of the Maumee River where raccoon, opossum, skunk, weasel, mink and muskrat trapping seasons will remain open through March 15.

Ohio’s beaver-trapping season runs Dec. 26-Feb. 28.
There are no daily bag limits or restrictions on hours when furbearers may be hunted or trapped, with the exception of river otters where bag limits are dependent on the county where the trapping occurs.

Special hunting regulations for coyotes apply during the one-week statewide deer-gun season Nov. 30-Dec. 6, and the deer-gun weekend of Dec. 19-20.

A fur-taker permit is required in addition to a valid Ohio hunting license to hunt or trap fur-bearing animals, except for coyotes, which may be hunted or trapped year round without a fur-taker permit.

A special ODNR Division of Wildlife permit is required to trap beaver and otters on state public hunting areas.

Beaver trappers in particular are advised to watch for otter sign and modify set placements where necessary. The Ohio State Trappers Assoc. and the Division of Wildlife have published a guide on how to recognize otter sign and use various otter avoidance techniques while trapping for beaver in areas closed to otter trapping.

A copy of the publication and reports about observing otters in Ohio can be ordered by calling 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543).