River otters are among the most elusive of furbearers, but just because the aquatic mammals are seldom seen doesn’t mean there numbers aren’t on the rise in some parts of the state.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently embarked on a three-year otter monitoring study to gauge the population in the northeast and northwest regions, and possibly expand opportunities for trappers.
The agency is collecting data on otter numbers by using trail cameras set up at latrine sites and crossovers (trails between two bodies of water) in the northeast and northwest regions. At the beginning of April, PGC staff will review the images that will help determine if otter numbers are on the rise and, if so, possibly extend the trapping season to Wildlife Management Unit 3B in the northeast (currently WMUs 3C and 3d) and lengthen the season, which is currently seven days.
In the northwest, where an otter trapping season is proposed for WMUs 1A, 1B and 2F in 2020-21, the data collected from the trail cameras will be used to gauge the impact of the new season.
The cameras have been in place since December, and so far they’ve produced some interesting results, according to PGC Furbearer Specialist Aaron Facka.
“I’m pretty surprised at the number of otter images we’re getting and how often we see them at these latrine sites. We’re getting otters weekly or every other day, and sometimes it’s groups,” he said.
“We intentionally timed it for these months because this is when otters are most active and they tend to be in family groups.”
This year, trappers harvested 27 otters in WMUs 3C and 3D, compared to 28 last season. During the inaugural trapping season in 2016, trappers harvested 46 otters, followed by 36 in 2017. In 2018, the agency sold 956 otter trapping permits, which has remained steady over the last three years.
Facka said he expected the harvest to be higher considering the otter population appears strong, and adding to the season length or changing the timing of the season could provide better opportunities to trappers. A longer season or different days could help avoid conflicts with periods of bad weather, which limits trapping opportunities.
The study will help determine if either are feasible options.
“I’d like to do a survey to find out why we’re not getting the harvest. We feel there are a lot of otters out there,” Facka said. “There’s interest, but I’m not sure we’re getting a lot of trapping days.”
Employing trail cameras to monitor otter numbers has given Facka the ability to collect data that would be burdensome to acquire with other means. Because otters are secretive and nocturnal, he said, cameras provide “eyes” on a site around the clock with minimal human intrusion.
The cameras also provide a glimpse as to other furbearers that are in an area, along with the widespread interest they all show in otter latrine sites.
Facka said the cameras have picked up images of mink, coyotes, raccoons and just about every furbearer species in the state. Bobcats, he said, appear regularly at latrine sites.
“I can’t imagine there’s not one type of furbearer that we don’t have on the cameras. I think these sites are attractive because they’re close to water, there are fish remains and you have otters leaving their unique fragrance,” Facka said. “It’s like a communal area for furbearers.”
Otter populations are also high in the southern part of the state. Streams that are tributaries to the Potomac river have adequate otter populations. Please consider opening this part of the state. Such as 4B
No shortage of otter sign everywhere I go on the Susquehanna River..4C AND 4E
Trappers with a otter tag should be able to keep A otter if they catch one,no matter what time during trapping season it is. They could still give the carcass to the game biologist and you would get a more accurate account of otter action. Thank you for everything you do for OUR animals.