8911316 total results

A survey of furtakers was conducted following the 2001 hunting and trapping seasons to determine the number of participants, days afield, and furbearer harvests.

Report on a survey done to estimate the number of trappers that used foothold traps and snares to catch fox or coyotes and determine their trapping effort and harvest of fox and coyotes. In addition, trappers were asked to report the types and number of animals besides coyote and fox that were captured in foothold traps and snares.

Rose Lake Wildlife Research Area is located on the border of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, 12 mi northeast of Lansing. Mammals have been an object of study on the research area since its founding in 1938. Through the years, records have been collected on mammals frequenting the area. The amount of data gathered, as well as the methods used for collection, were not consistent from year to year. Therefore, the records are not complete enough to document population sizes or fluctuations. They do, however, provide knowledge of the mammal species present on the area and give an indication of their relative abundance. The purpose of this report is to document the presence and relative abundance of all species of mammals known or thought to be present on the Rose Lake Area from 1938 through 1980.

This report presents estimates of trapper catch of some of Michigan's important furbearers for the 1981-82 trapping seasons. Presented for comparison are the results of similar mail surveys conducted after the 1970-71 and 1980-81 seasons. No mail surveys were conducted or estimates available during the nine year interim period because of rapidly increasing numbers of sportsman's license holders who were authorized to trap during that time period. The species included in this report are the muskrat (Ondatra zibethica), mink (Mustela vison), raccoon (Procyon lotor), opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), weasels (Mustela sp.), red fox (Vulpes fulva), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), coyote (Canis latrans), bobcat (Lynx rufus), beaver (Castor canadensis), and river otter (Lutra canadensis).

Report of a survey of a sample furtakers contacted after the 2012 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort), and furbearer harvests.

A sample of furtakers was contacted after the 2003 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield, and furbearer harvests. In 2003, about 13,000 furtakers pursued furbearers, an increase of 7% from 2002. The species most frequently pursued by trappers were raccoons, coyotes, and muskrats. Hunters most commonly sought coyotes, raccoons, and red fox. Harvest levels of most furbearers in 2003 were within historical ranges, except for harvest of muskrats and raccoons. The number of muskrats taken by trappers was the lowest recorded since 1957, and the number of raccoons taken by hunters was the lowest recorded since 1980. Trends in harvest are affected by both changes in furtaker and furbearer numbers; thus, harvest per furtaker was also examined for trends. The mean number of raccoon and opossum taken per furtaker has increased since the 1980s. The mean harvest of coyotes per hunter has increased since the mid-1980s, while the mean harvest of red fox by both hunters and trappers has declined during this same period. These trends suggest that raccoon, opossum, and coyote may have been increasing in abundance during the last 20 years, while red fox numbers may have been declining. An estimated 24% of trappers attempted to catch coyote or fox using snares, and 8% of trappers tried to catch beaver using snares set underwater. About 4% of bobcat hunters hired a guide to assist them while hunting bobcats. Nearly 59% of bobcat hunters used calls while hunting bobcats, and 45% of bobcat hunters used dogs.

Survey of a sample of furtakers contacted after the 2007 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort), and furbearer harvests.

A sample of furtakers was contacted after the 2006 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort), and furbearer harvests. In 2006, about 15,000 furtakers pursued furbearers; an increase of 14% from 2005. About 37% of the license buyers trapped (8,793 trappers), 43% hunted (10,183 hunters), and 16% (3,925) both trapped and hunted. Trapper numbers increased 26% and hunter numbers increased 9% between 2005 and 2006. Changes for days of effort by hunters and trappers between 2005 and 2006 generally followed changes in the number of furtakers. Hunters most commonly sought coyotes, raccoons, and red fox. The species most frequently pursued by trappers were raccoons, muskrats, and coyotes. Although participation and effort increased between 2005 and 2006 for most species, harvest increased only for raccoons and muskrats. Only harvest for otter declined significantly between 2005 and 2006. Harvest levels of all furbearers in 2006 were within historical ranges. Trends in harvest can be affected by both changes in furtaker and furbearer numbers; thus, harvest per furtaker was also examined for trends. The mean number of raccoon and opossum taken per furtaker has increased since the 1980s. The mean harvest of coyotes per hunter has increased since the mid-1980s, while the mean harvest of red fox by both hunters and trappers has declined during this same period. These trends suggest raccoon, opossum, and coyote may have been increasing in abundance during the last 20 years, while red fox numbers may have been declining. An estimated 92% of trappers that tried to catch coyote or fox used foothold traps. About 29% of coyote and fox trappers used snares in their attempts to catch coyote or fox. Overall, about 25% of active trappers and hunters were members of a furbearer hunting or trapping organization in 2006. If the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) developed a voluntary trapper education course, nearly 50% of furtakers indicated that would be interested in participating.

This report presents estimates of trapper catch and estimates of pelt values of some of Michigan's important furbearers for the 1982-83 trapping seasons. Furbearer catch data for the last three trapping seasons is presented in this report; also listed is the number of trappers and average take per trapper for 12 species. The species included in this report are the muskrat (Ondatra zibethica), mink (Mustela vison) , raccoon (Procyon lotor), opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), weasels (Mustela sp.), red fox (Vulpes fulva), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). coyote (Canis latrans), bobcat (Lynx rufus), beaver (Castor canadensis), and river otter (Lutra canadensis).

At the end of the 1996-97 fur harvester seasons, 977 license buyers were mailed a questionnaire asking for the results of their hunting and trapping efforts. Those who failed to respond to the original mailing were sent up to three reminders. A total of 775 questionnaires were returned for a response rate of 79 percent. The number of Fur Harvester licenses sold in 1996-97 increased 22 percent from 1995-96. An estimated 10,947 individuals (81%) hunted or trapped furbearing animals using one of the five license types. Approximately sixty percent of these individuals (6,575) used traps while sixty-four percent (7,061) hunted furbearers. Of those participating in the season, twenty four percent (2,689) both hunted and trapped furbearers. The majority of raccoon, coyote, and bobcat were taken by hunters, while trappers took a greater number of opossum, skunk, weasel, and fox. Trapping is the only legal means of take for mink, muskrat, beaver. otter, fisher, and badger. Based on days of effort, raccoon and muskrat were the primary targets of trappers, while hunters put their greatest effort toward the pursuit of raccoon and coyote. Harvests of coyote and bobcat by both hunters and trappers increased from 1994-95 to 1996-97. Coyote harvest increased four-fold for hunters and doubled for trappers during that period. Bobcat harvest increased by 6 percent for hunters and 10 percent for trappers during the same period. Dramatic changes in harvests from 1994-95 to 1996-97 also occurred for raccoon, opossum, and fox. Raccoon and opossum trapping harvest increased by 30 percent during that period, while red fox trapping harvest decreased by 36 percent. Red fox hunting harvest tripled and gray fox hunting harvest increased by 81 percent during that same period, while opossum hunting harvest decreased by 96 percent.

Report of a survey of a sample of furtakers contacted after the 2010 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort), and furbearer harvests.

At the end of the 1988-89 fur harvester season 1,980 license buyers were mailed a questionnaire asking for the results of their hunting and trapping efforts. In 1988-89, the numbers of both hunters and trappers were down from the previous season. The number of individual trappers (6,700) declined 41 percent compared to last year, while the number of hunters (7,650) pursuing furbearers dropped 30 percent. This was the first time since the issuance of furharvester licenses (1986) that hunters outnumbered trappers. Three years of trapping/hunting responses from past fur harvest questionnaires indicate that the majority of raccoon, coyote. and bobcat are taken by hunters, while trappers consistently take a greater number of mink, opossum, skunk, weasel, and fox. The only legal means of take for muskrat, beaver and otter is trapping. In general, fewer trappers took fewer numbers of furbearers during the 1988-89 seasons compared to the previous year: only increased numbers of beaver, weasels, and coyotes were trapped. Decreased harvest was also reported by hunters. The only significant increase in harvest was recorded for gray fox: although hunter rates of weasels and bobcat were up slightly.

Furtakers were surveyed following the 2002 hunting and trapping seasons to determine the number of participants, days afield, and furbearer harvests. In 2002, about 12,000 furtakers pursued furbearers, approximately the same as in 2001. The species most frequently pursued by trappers were raccoons, muskrats, coyotes, and opossum. Hunters most commonly sought coyotes and raccoons. Harvest levels of most furbearers in 2002 were within historical ranges except for coyote. A record high number of coyotes was taken by trappers in 2002. Trends in harvest are affected by both changes in furtaker and furbearer numbers; thus, harvest per furtaker was also examined for trends. The mean number of raccoon and opossum taken per furtaker has increased since the 1980s. The mean harvest of coyotes per hunter has increased since the mid-1980s, while the mean harvest of red fox by both hunters and trappers has declined during this same period. These trends suggest that raccoon, opossum, and coyote may have been increasing in abundance during the last 20 years, while red fox numbers may have been declining.

Report of survey of a sample of furtakers contacted after the 2009 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort), and furbearer harvests.

Report of survey of a sample of furtakers contacted after the 2008 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort), and furbearer harvests.

A sample of furtakers was contacted after the 2005 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort), and furbearer harvests. In 2005, about 13,200 furtakers pursued furbearers; a decrease of 3% from 2004. About 33% of the license buyers trapped (6,959 trappers), 44% hunted (9,333 hunters) and 14% both trapped and hunted (3,058 furtakers) during 2005. The species most frequently pursued by trappers were raccoons, coyotes, and muskrats. Hunters most commonly sought coyotes, raccoons, and red fox. Harvest levels of most furbearers in 2005 were within historical ranges, except for coyotes. The number of coyotes taken by hunters was the highest recorded since 1980. Trends in harvest are affected by both changes in furtaker and furbearer numbers; thus, harvest per furtaker was also examined for trends. The mean number of raccoon and opossum taken per furtaker has increased since the 1980s. The mean harvest of coyotes per hunter has increased since the mid-1980s, while the mean harvest of red fox by both hunters and trappers has declined during this same period. These trends suggest raccoon, opossum, and coyote may have been increasing in abundance during the last 20 years, while red fox numbers may have been declining. An estimated 770 trappers caught 4,468 beaver through the ice during the 2005 season. Furthermore, about 894 trappers caught 2,746 beaver during April 2006. An estimated 91% of trappers that tried to catch coyote or fox used foothold traps. About 29% of coyote and fox trappers used snares in their attempt to catch coyote or fox.

Report of a survey of furtakers contacted after the 2011 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort) and furbearer harvests.

A sample of furtakers was contacted after the 2004 hunting and trapping seasons to estimate the number of participants, days afield (effort), and furbearer harvests. In 2004, about 13,600 furtakers pursued furbearers; an increase of 4% from 2003. About 33% of the license buyers trapped (6,923 trappers), 47% hunted (10,071 hunters) and 16% both trapped and hunted (3,356 furtakers) during 2004. The species most frequently pursued by trappers were raccoons, coyotes, and muskrats. Hunters most commonly sought coyotes, raccoons, and red fox. Harvest levels of most furbearers in 2004 were within historical ranges, except for coyotes. The number of coyotes taken by both hunters and trappers was the highest recorded since 1980. Trends in harvest are affected by both changes in furtaker and furbearer numbers; thus, harvest per furtaker was also examined for trends. The mean number of raccoon and opossum taken per furtaker has increased since the 1980s. The mean harvest of coyotes per hunter has increased since the mid-1980s, while the mean harvest of red fox by both hunters and trappers has declined during this same period. These trends suggest that raccoon, opossum, and coyote may have been increasing in abundance during the last 20 years, while red fox numbers may have been declining. An estimated 23% of trappers used snares to catch coyote or fox, and about 6% of trappers attempted to catch beaver using snares in underwater sets.

This report presents estimates of trapper catch of some of Michigan's important furbearers for the 1980-81 trapping seasons. The estimates are generated from responses to mail survey questionnaires. Presented for comparison are the results of similar mail surveys conducted after the 1969-70 and 1970-71 seasons. The species included in this report are the muskrat (Ondatra zibethica) , mink (Mustela vison), raccoon (Procyon lotor), opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), weasels (Mustela sp.), red fox (Vulpes fulva), and coyote (Canis latrans). Estimates for beaver (Castor canadensis), river otter (Lutra canadensis), and bobcat (Lynx rufus), are available from mandatory registration counts.

At the end of the 1993-94 furharvester seasons 755 license buyers were mailed a questionnaire asking for the results of their hunting and trapping efforts. Those who failed to respond to the original mailing were sent up to three reminders. A total of 516 questionnaires were returned for an adjusted response rate of 72 percent. The number of Fur Harvester licenses sold was below 10,000 for the first time since the license was issued in 1986. An estimated 7,680 individuals (78%) hunted or trapped furbearing animals using one of the three license types. Approximately three fifths of these individuals (4,686) used traps while 5,163 hunted furbearers. The majority of raccoon, coyote, and bobcat were taken by hunters, while trappers took a greater number of opossum, skunk, weasel, and fox. The only legal means of take for muskrat, beaver, otter, fisher, and badger is trapping. Harvests of all species except otter were lower than 1988-89 estimates.