OH: Controlled Trapping Opportunities for Beaver and River Otter

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Beaver and river otter trapping on public land will still require a special permit. Similar to last year, controlled beaver and/or river otter trapping opportunities on 86 wildlife areas, state parks, and other publicly managed lands statewide will be awarded through a system of random drawings. However, applications and fees will not be accepted online this year. Application forms are available online, but they must be printed by the applicant and mailed in along with all fees. Applications may also be obtained from district offices.

The application period will be September 15 through October 15. The application fee is $3.00 per event. Trappers may apply for each event once annually. People who apply more than once per event will be disqualified and forfeit his/her application fee. Independent drawings will be held for each event. Application fees are non-refundable. Applications must be submitted in the name of an adult. Applicants must also hold a current hunting license in order to apply for this trapping lottery. Applications submitted by people who are not properly licensed will be returned along with all application fees.

Drawings will be held in late October. Results will be posted on our website at wildohio.com in early November. Applicants not chosen to participate will not be notified; however, each applicant can check his/her customer account online to see lottery results for events for which they applied. Trappers chosen to participate may print their permit online. They will also receive the necessary instructions in the mail, including the dates, location, maps, and any special instructions. The permit to trap applies to the successfully drawn applicant only. The permitted trapper may be accompanied by another individual to assist him/her while trapping. All permitted trappers must be properly licensed. Beaver Trapping Permits are transferable.

The lottery system for awarding controlled beaver and/or river otter trapping opportunities on select public lands in Ohio allows area managers to set specific limits and restrictions based on the trapping opportunities and needs for their areas.

“Our mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, while promoting their use and appreciation by the public,” said Suzie Prange, furbearer biologist for the Division of Wildlife. “We feel providing fewer trapping restrictions, where warranted, will allow us to better manage beaver populations and provide a fairer system for all trappers with an interest in these recreational opportunities.”

For the wildlife refuge portions of Killbuck Marsh and Mosquito Creek wildlife areas, the current system will not change – they are not part of the lottery system – instead, sealed bids will be accepted in September for all furbearer trapping opportunities at these areas.

For official bid proposal forms and other information, contact the Division of Wildlife District Three Office in early September at (330) 644-2293. Also, beaver trapping within American Electric Power’s recreation area, known as ReCreation Land, Avondale Wildlife Area, and Conesville Coal Lands will continue to require a special beaver trapping permit which is in addition to the normal user’s permit. This special beaver trapping permit is issued from the AEP Land Management office in McConnelsville, Ohio.

For more specific information, please visit wildohio.com or call your nearest Wildlife district office.