Ohio River Otter Trapping

By Robert M Vermillion II

Ohio River otter numbers have increased enough that the Division of Wildlife feels comfortable with opening a trapping season for them. The River otter, native to Ohio and once very common, was re-introduced and released at Grand River, which received 31 males and 17 females (1986-90), Killbuck Creek, 15 males and 8 females (1991), Stillwater Creek, 15 males and 11 females (1992), and Little Muskingum River, 15 males and 10 females (1993). Habitat created by Ohio beaver populations provided excellent habitat, good food sources, and favorable den sites for river otters. Ohio Division of Wildlife figured that there could be as many as 3,400 river otters entering the fall, 2003, population. That would mean that there was close to 4,300 entering the 2004 fall population. So, with River otter trapping season opening December 26, 2005, you will find the information needed below that will keep you legal when trapping river otter in Ohio and, of course, follow all regulations described in the 2005-06 Ohio Hunting Regulations booklet.

2005-06 Ohio River Otter Trapping Regulations

New regulations are in effect for trapping river otters in Ohio, including seasonal dates, zones, bag limits, and check-in requirements. The following information describes the new river otter trapping regulations and what successful river otter trappers must do after catching a river otter in Ohio. River otter trapping is now permitted in certain areas of Ohio during the open river otter-trapping season.

SEASON DATES: The river otter season opens December 26, 2005 and closes February 28, 2006.

ZONES AND BAG LIMITS: River otters may be trapped in certain areas of Ohio, and in limited numbers. Zone A - closed; Zone B - 1 Otter; Zone C – 3 Otters. The total season bag limit is 3 river otters, of which no more than 1 otter may be taken in Zone B.

REQUIRED PERMITS: Except for landowners and their children trapping on their own property, anyone trapping river otters in Ohio is required to have a valid hunting license and fur taker permit. No additional permits are required for trapping river otters on private lands or Mead Westvaco, B&N Coal and Turkey Run public hunting areas.

Limited river otter trapping opportunity is available on state public hunting areas, including state parks and forests, and is permitted only in areas where beaver populations require active management. A special beaver/river otter trapping permit from the Division of Wildlife is required in addition to a hunting license and fur taker permit by anyone trapping these state public hunting areas, including state parks and forests, in Zone B or Zone C. Contact one of the Division of Wildlife district offices in Akron, Athens, or Columbus for additional information.

Limited river otter trapping is permitted within American Electric Power’s recreation area, known as ReCreation Land, Avondale Wildlife Area, and Conesville Coal lands, with a special beaver/river otter-trapping permit issued from the AEP Land Management office in McConnelsville, Ohio. Interested trappers should contact AEP PRIOR to October each year.

Checking and Tagging Requirements: The pelt and skinned carcass of each river otter must be brought to a designation location for pelt tagging and carcass submission within 72 hours of take. River otters may be taken to a designated check station from 8:00-9:00 a.m. M/W/F, or by appointment. River otters may also be taken to any Division of Wildlife district office M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Carcasses must be surrendered to the Division of Wildlife at that time. All State Offices will be closed on the holidays. Call ahead for details.

Each trapper must personally present his own river otter and may not present a river otter taken by another person. Trappers must also provide a copy of their Fur Taker Permit at the time of checking and provide information about the date and location in which the river otter was trapped.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Trappers who have reached their season bag limit are encouraged to implement river otter avoidance techniques while beaver trapping. If you catch an otter in excess of your season bag limit or in a closed zone and it is still alive, carefully release it without causing injury to yourself or the river otter. If the river otter is dead, leave it in the trap and contact the wildlife officer assigned to that county or the District Office within 24 hours to determine the course of action to follow.

DESIGNATED RIVER OTTER CHECK STATIONS: River otters may be taken to any of the following check stations during established times of 8:00-9:00 a.m. M/W/F or by appointment, or to any Division of Wildlife district office M-F, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Wildlife District 1

1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus (614) 644-3925