DEC Announces 2019-2020 Trapping Season on Oak Orchard, Tonawanda, JohnWhite Wildlife Management Areas

Trapping Permits Available Oct. 1

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced dates for the 2019-2020 trapping season for Oak Orchard, Tonawanda, and John White wildlife management areas (WMAs). Beginning Oct. 1, trapping permits will be issued for these WMAs for the 2019-2020 license year. Permit applications can be obtained weekdays from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Office on Casey Road between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or by writing to the DEC Bureau of Wildlife, 1101 Casey Road, Box B, Basom, New York 14013. Trappers who obtain a permit will be required to report their harvest and trapping efforts on each area. The Western New York trapping season for fox, raccoon, coyote, and other upland furbearing animals opens Oct. 25, 2019, and closes Feb. 15, 2020. However, the start of upland trapping will be delayed until Nov. 1 on John White WMA. Trapping season for mink, muskrat, and beaver in this part of New York will run from Nov. 25, 2019, until Feb. 15, 2020. However, trapping of muskrat and mink is restricted on these three WMAs to a shorter season than the rest of Western New York, and will be allowed Dec. 7, 2019 to Feb. 15, 2020. Trappers can set a maximum of 25 traps for muskrat and mink on the three areas. DEC issues 25 numbered tags to each trapper that obtains a permit. The tags must be attached to each trap used. Traps without tags are considered illegal. In addition, an individual trapper can only operate traps tagged with their assigned numbers. Traps set for upland trapping and beaver will not require numbered tags and will not be considered in the trap limit. The trap limit provides a more equitable distribution of the harvest and prevents trappers from monopolizing better trapping areas. Management of the muskrat population promotes prime emergent marsh habitats used by waterfowl and uncommon marsh birds such as the black tern and least bittern. The trap limit also allows Bureau of Wildlife personnel to better regulate the muskrat harvest according to water availability, habitat needs and population. Hunters and trappers are reminded that no gas or electric motor boats are allowed on Oak Orchard or Tonawanda WMAs. http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/77537.html