DEC Announces Oct. 25 Start of Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Seasons

For Release: Thursday, October 25, 2018

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that furbearer trapping and hunting seasons begin soon in many parts of New York State. Trappers should note special permit requirements for fisher and marten trapping seasons.

“Hunting, angling and trapping are proud traditions in New York that contribute greatly to the State economy, and I’m excited to once again announce the opening of furbearer hunting and trapping seasons,” Commissioner Seggos said. “New York’s trappers play an important role in our wildlife conservation and management efforts by providing important data to DEC’s expert wildlife biologists, especially for fisher and marten management. I encourage all trappers to report their fisher and marten, and provide required samples to help us improve our wildlife management efforts.”

Fisher and marten are medium-sized members of the weasel family, which also includes weasels, ermine, mink, and river otters. While fisher have been expanding their range throughout New York State in recent decades, New York’s marten are restricted to the Adirondacks.

Coyote hunting season began Oct. 1 across much of the state, and hunting seasons for other furbearers such as bobcat, raccoon, and fox begin on Oct. 25. Season dates and zone boundaries for all furbearers can be found on DEC’s website and in the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide.

Trappers are reminded of changes to trapping regulations for fisher that began in 2016, including the requirement of a special permit, and expanded opportunities for fisher in select Wildlife Management Units in central and western New York. All fisher and marten trappers must obtain a special, free permit from their regional wildlife office, submit a trapping activity log, and submit the skull or jaw from harvested fishers and martens.

To obtain a free fisher or fisher/marten permit, trappers should contact the regional wildlife office (see table below) or apply by e-mail. Only one fisher or fisher/marten permit is needed to trap these species anywhere in New York where the season is open. Trappers must provide the following information:

• Name
• DEC ID # (from license or back tag)
• Mailing address
• Phone or e-mail
• Species (fisher or fisher/marten)
• If requesting a permit by e-mail, include the county or WMU where you plan to trap fisher and/or marten.

To apply by e-mail: wildlife@dec.ny.gov; type “Fisher/Marten Permit” in the subject line.

To apply by phone or in-person:

Trapping Regulations
Trapping Seasons
Fisher and Marten Trapping Seasons
Furbearer Hunting
Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide