Nova Scotia TRAPPERS

Nova ScotiaNova ScotiaNova Scotia TRAPPERS Newsletter

ISSN 0705-4832 Number 44 2008

Collections required this year: Fisher, bobcat and incidental catches of marten and lynx.Submission of accidental catches of weasel is voluntary.

Regulation changes for 2007/2008The major regulation changes affecting furharvesters for the2008/2009 season are:1. Beaver bag limits have been increased in all zones.2. The use of snares under ice for capturing beaver, otter and otheraquatic furbearers is now permitted within 300 yards of a dwelling.3. Licensed furharvesters and bear snarers can appoint partners tocheck traps and snares.4. The list of approved body gripping traps has been updated.5. Bear snaring season has been extended to the first Saturday ofDecember.

Table of contentsMandatory Fur Harvester Courses........................................................................................ 2Furbearer Report .................................................................................................................. 3Licence Sales ....................................................................................................................... 7Fur Auction Sale Dates ........................................................................................................ 8Harvest Stats ........................................................................................................................ 9Bag Limit Changes ............................................................................................................... 11Species Abundance as recorded by Fur Harvesters .............................................................. 12Certified Traps - AIHTS Implementation ............................................................................ 15Black Bear Harvest in Nova Scotia ...................................................................................... 17Marten Projects .................................................................................................................... 20Endangered Furbearers in NS .............................................................................................. 27Otter carcass collection. . . . . . ............................................................................................. 28

Anyone seeking further information on furbearer management or wishing to provide input to the Department ofNatural Resources should contact their local office, a Regional Biologist, or the Furbearer and Upland Game Sectionof DNR, Attn.:Mike O’Brien, 136 Exhibition Street Kentville, NS B4N 4E5. By e-mail: [email protected] Phone: (902) 679-6091 Fax: (902) 679-6176.

The Furbearer Section, including previous Trappers Newsletters, is available on line at:http://www.gov.ns.ca/Natr/wildlife/furbers/furbs.htm

Accidental catches or sightings of rare species may be reported by calling 1 (800) 565-2224.

Cover page photo credit: Shirley MacDonald

Trappers Newsletter 2008 Page 1 of 29

Mandatory Fur Harvester Courses

A total of, 90 Fur Harvester Education courses have been heldsince 1986 with a total of 1,903 students trained. Applicationforms are available at your local DNR office, in the Hunting &Furharvesting Licence & Summary of Regulations booklet, oronline at www.trappersassociationofnovascotia.ca orwww.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/furbers/furbs.htm. Registrationand payment must be received by August 15 in order toguarantee a seat in the fall course. Applications received afterAugust 15th will be processed the next year. Participants arerequired to confirm their attendance by notifying JudyClattenburg at DNR Halifax, email: [email protected] bySeptember 15. Failure to respond will result in the applicant’sname being removed from the list, at which time the applicantmust reapply, including payment of the appropriate fee for anyfuture courses.

2009 Trappers Workshopand Annual Meeting

Royal Canadian Legion HallKentville, NS

March 5-7, 2009

Sleeping space available - bring your own bedroll.

Contact: Gary Fisher, PresidentTrappers Association of Nova Scotia Phone: 257-2239.

Email: [email protected]

The 2008 Trappers Workshop was held in Kentville.

To date we have held 53 workshops with over 1,761 students.


Furbearer ReportBy Mike O’Brien and Mike Boudreau The number of furharvester licenses sold inthe 2007-08 season decreased by 7.56 % to1,405. The level of effort recorded by thosewho bought a furharvester license andcaught fur has dropped from 57.2% to53.6% in the 2007-08 season.

Average fur prices decreased in almostevery species with the exception of bobcat,beaver, fox, and raccoon. Otter sales andaverage price continue to decline mainly dueto problems associated with exporting skinsto China. It is unlikely that the demand forotter will change this season.

As a result of low average price and lowcatch otter collections have been suspendedfor this season.

Bobcat recorded the second highest averageprice increase. Raccoon pelt prices are thehighest they’ve been in 10 years.

Snowshoe HareSnowshoe hare (or rabbits as we NovaScotians call them) are an important preyspecies for many predators includingfurbearers. Each year trappers and smallgame hunters are asked to observe (in theform of abundance rankings) how the harepopulations are doing in their areas. Theserankings are recorded on a scale from 0-4where 4 is high. This past year snowshoehare abundance rankings show an overalldecrease, with the exception of a fewcounties in the western end of the province. Counties which recorded increases insnowshoe hare abundance are Annapolis,Digby, Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth. The overall reported harvest of snowshoe

hares also decreased, with an estimatedprovincial harvest of 134,047 snowshoe hare(compared to 205,510 last year).

The mandatory upland game harvest survey(small game report card), showed a verypoor return rate again this year. Thesereport cards are the only means ofcalculating and estimating the harvest of oursmall game species. Over the last twoseasons there has been a concerted effort byNatural Resources staff to try and increasehunter awareness and compliance withcompleting these forms. As a result of thiseffort, the report card return rate has risenfrom less then 4% to around 10%. Althoughan obvious increase, there is still room forimprovement. With better compliancecomes better data, which is essential tomaking good wildlife managementdecisions.

Bobcat The bobcat harvest was up, putting the totalharvest to 964 animals. Along with a 27.8%increase in the average price, trappersundoubtably will continue to target thisspecies in the upcoming season. Bobcatabundance rankings rose across the provincein all counties except Digby and Richmond. Pictou was the only county that did notrecord any change in abundance. Thisincrease in abundance may reflect the factthat trappers are targeting bobcat.

BeaverThe provincial beaver harvest decreased by37.2 % to 3,491 animals, similar to harvestlevels taken in 2000/01. This decrease inharvest may be explained in part by risinggas prices and decreased trapper effort.


Along with a slight increase (14.9%) in theaverage price paid per pelt. The abundancerankings continue to show increases in manycounties and an overall increase on theprovincial scale. After discussions withDepartment field staff, the beaver bag limitshave been raised in all four zones. OttersOtter harvests have decreased again, for the4th year in a row, to 272 animals. Thisharvest is around the same recorded in1990/91. The average price decreased by14.3 % from the previous year and has notbeen this low since the 1991/92 season.

Abundance rankings showed a slightdecrease in a handful of counties, butincreased on the provincial scale. Thedecrease in abundance rankings appear to bemainly in the central regions of theprovince, Halifax, Hants and Colchestercounties. Cape Breton county showed aslight decrease. Although otter abundancerankings continue to rise overall they stillremain in the low to medium range.

It would appear as though most trappers didnot target otters last season because of thedifficulty moving pelts in a sluggish marketand the expected low price. The price anddemand is largely set by the large buyersfrom China and both demand and price willcontinue to be affected until the issuesurrounding the importing of otter skins intoChina is resolved, or new markets are found.

Trappers are not required to turn in anyotter carcasses to DNR or have peltsstamped prior to shipping this year. Thisis due to the decrease in trapping pressure,low demand and low prices paid for otterpelts and very little expected change incurrent market conditions.

Preliminary results suggest that otter, likeother fish-eating species, are being affected,at least in some parts of Nova Scotia, byenvironmental mercury contamination. As aresult of these findings otter harvest willcontinue to be monitored. When marketconditions improve and harvest levels beginto rise, collections of this species will bereinstated to enable us to maintain a handleon the health of this species so that theharvest is kept at a sustainable level.

Muskrat Muskrat catches crashed/decreased by 55.1% with a total of 11,172 animals. Thisrepresents less than half of the harvestduring the 1996-97 season and is closer toharvest levels from the 1991/92 season. Theaverage price dropped to $4.29 which was adecrease of 35.3% from the previous season. This represents a drop in average price forthe second year in arow. The harvest andthe provincialabundance rankingsboth reflect a declinein muskrat populationon the county level aswell as provincially. Three of the 18counties have shown a slight increase inabundance rankings but all recordedsignificant decreases in harvest.

FisherFisher abundance rankings provided bylicensed furharvesters increased this year.


Although the abundance rankings over thelast nine seasons have continued to increase,they remain relatively unchanged around the“low” range. While the harvest over thepast decade is encouraging, we need tocontinue to monitor this species. Theharvest has remained fairly stable with littlechange over the last five years, leaving therecorded harvest at 170 animals. As withbobcat, the pelt must be declared, stampedand the carcass of all fisher presented to aDNR office. Again this year, furharvestersare permitted to retain one accidentallycaught fisher, if caught in a trap set foranother species. Any additional incidentalfisher catches are to be turned in-to theDepartment of Natural Resource officenearest the trapper’s residence. Theseanimals are used to illustrate properskinning and pelt handling techniquesduring the trapper education workshop heldin March.

Raccoon

Raccoon harvest has not changed from therecorded harvest of last year and remains at3,500 animals. Abundance rankingsincreased on the provincial scale as well asall counties with the exception of Kings,

Lunenburg, and Cumberland. Average pricefor raccoons increased by 35% from lastyear and remain at levels not seen since2003. With the increase in average price,trapping effort will likely continue toincrease, resulting in a higher harvest in theupcoming season.

FoxFox harvest decreased by 25.5 % to 547animals. Provincial abundance rankingscrept up slightly with marginal changes in ahandful of counties. Last year’s decline inaverage price seems to be holding a 10 yearaverage around the $30 range.

CoyoteA total of 1,928 coyotes were harvested thisyear. Although a decrease from last year, itis still above the 10 year average. Overallabundance rankings dropped by 4.1 %, butcontinue to remain in the moderate to highrange. The average price paid for coyotesdecreased by 18.7 % last year, but remainsaround the $25 mark.

Other SpeciesSquirrel harvest decreased significantly (by73.3%) to a harvest of 1,920. Weaselharvest also decreased by 17.1 % to 1,691animals. Skunk harvest decreased by 65 %to 23 animals. Average price for squirreldecreased by 7.14 % and the average pricefor weasel dropped by 24.59%. Lynx andmarten continue to be taken accidentallyeach year and trappers should make everyeffort to avoid accidental capture of thesespecies. In some cases the only option thatfurharvesters have to avoid catching theseanimals may be to avoid trapping in certainareas altogether.


Accidental CapturesFurharvesters who accidentally catch aprotected species or an animal in excess oftheir bag limit should try to release themalive if possible. If this is not practical, youmust report your catch to a DNR officebefore the animal is removed from the trapsite. This may be done by calling any DNRoffice, during normal working hours orcalling the toll free number 1-800-565-2224,after hours. These forms are available in theHunting and Furharvesting SummaryRegulation booklet. Upon arriving at theirplace of residence the furharvester isrequired to notify a DNR office, and reporttheir accidental catch. Your local DNRoffice will advise you on how to handle thesituation.

Furharvesters found in the possession of ananimal to which they are not entitledwithout first notifying DNR or having theAccidental Harvest Form completed andtheir pelts confiscated. In such cases, peltsare given to the Trappers Association ofNova Scotia and proceeds are used to helpsupport trapper education


Fur Harvester License Sales

YEAR 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08

Annapolis 69 66 60 65 75 67 67 65 59

Digby 75 88 78 97 95 68 69 74 70

Kings 84 82 87 74 83 74 75 80 63

Lunenburg 84 87 84 94 94 85 85 90 89

Queens 44 40 50 48 59 54 56 55 41

Shelburne 74 69 60 69 81 63 73 76 71

Yarmouth 114 117 100 111 128 113 116 103 101

Western 544 549 519 558 615 524 541 543 494

Antigonish 62 67 57 66 68 63 65 64 55

Colchester 127 113 115 118 110 112 116 116 104

Cumberland 163 159 158 158 171 150 156 154 142

Guysborough 60 56 70 77 68 47 49 74 78

Halifax 119 90 153 152 139 142 146 145 136

Hants 74 79 69 80 82 73 73 71 75

Pictou 118 109 144 128 140 116 118 121 110

Eastern 723 673 766 779 778 703 723 745 700

Cape Breton 74 73 70 82 78 73 75 76 85

Inverness 69 71 70 68 67 40 66 67 52

Richmond 58 64 60 55 64 45 59 66 53

Victoria 29 19 22 24 28 10 24 23 21

CB Region 230 227 222 229 237 168 224 232 211

Total 1,497 1,449 1,507 1,566 1,630 1,395 1,488 1,520 1405


North American Fur Furharvesters Auction Inc.Producers Marketing Inc. Furharvesters Auction Sales Inc.65 Skyway Ave, Rexdale, ON M9W 5C7 1971 Bond St., North Bay, ON P1B 4V7Phone: 416-675-9320 Phone: 705-495-4688NS Representative NS & PEI RepresentativeFurafee Trading Inc. John Richard115 Brunswick St., 3101 Route 180Truro, N.S. B2N 4P6 South Tetagouche, N.B. E2A 7C1Phone: (902) 895-2511 Phone: (506) 548-3018 Cell: (506) 544-6883

2007-2008 Auction Dates: 2008-2009 Auction Dates:Sale Date: January 6-7th, 2009 Sale Date: January 9th, 2009Last Receiving Date: December 8th , 2008 Last Receiving Date: December 7, 2008

Sale Date: May 15-20th, 2009 Sale Date: March 13&14th, 2009Last Receiving Date: March 30th, 2009 Last Receiving Date: January 18th, 2009

Sale Date: To Be Announced Sale Date: May 24th, 2009Last Receiving Date: June 1st, 2009 Last Receiving Date: April 12th, 2009

Sale Date: September June 18th, 2009Last Receiving Date: May 23th, 2009

Average Value of Wild Fur for Nova Scotia (Per Pelt)

Species 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08

Beaver $25.39 $ 31.06 $32.16 $27.28 $ 26.46 $29.14 $26.90 $34.57 $25.50 $29.32

Muskrat $ 3.17 $ 4.22 $4.36 $5.58 $ 4.39 $3.32 $3.50 $8.50 $6.64 $4.29

Otter $53.50 $ 92.19 $90.57 $111.58 $139.34 $128.82 $112.37 $118.73 $66.80 $41.15

Mink $15.70 $ 17.85 $14.83 $17.00 $ 14.52 $18.17 $16.92 $23.82 $15.77 $13.51

Bobcat $48.92 $ 54.37 $61.86 $128.40 $204.66 $125.47 $112.80 $145.70 $144.23 $199.83

Fox $16.79 $ 29.16 $30.89 $37.83 $ 48.06 $30.84 $21.53 $31.48 $28.30 $29.04

Raccoon $12.14 $ 8.15 $16.66 $19.38 $ 17.91 $19.78 $12.14 $12.78 $13.14 $20.22

Weasel $ 2.90 $ 3.26 $4.94 $3.83 $ 3.53 $2.40 $3.20 $5.57 $5.57 $4.20

Squirrel $ 0.74 $ 0.99 $1.73 $1.98 $ 0.79 $1.22 $1.05 $1.48 $1.26 $1.17

Skunk $ 4.37 $ 1.76 $8.85 $8.41 $ 5.83 $5.34 $4.27 $10.11 $6.25 $1.82

Fisher $28.12 $ 22.31 $32.87 $44.09 $ 31.42 $43.47 $36.47 $83.60 $77.68 $70.85

Bear $70.57 $113.21 $149.43 $117.28 $112.37 $80.18 $74.70 $89.91 $71.59 $65.09

Coyote $20.53 $ 25.83 $25.02 $31.33 $ 43.75 $32.66 $30.23 $26.49 $28.84 $23.43


Fur Harvest as Calculated from License Returnsand Fur Buyer Slips in 2007-2008

County Beaver Muskrat Otter Mink Bobcat Fox Raccoon Skunk Squirrel Weasel Coyote Lynx Marten Fisher

Anna. 220 749 18 81 50 31 170 0 115 83 126 0 0 11

Digby 173 296 7 452 17 16 296 5 932 109 102 0 7 4

Kings 73 957 5 77 17 13 239 0 72 9 81 0 0 2

Lunen. 269 134 21 73 65 29 191 3 44 19 111 0 0 10

Queens 117 62 13 62 39 4 96 6 10 21 38 0 0 4

Shelb. 248 739 16 64 60 3 69 0 21 48 69 0 0 2

Yar. 143 1,387 13 142 69 10 158 0 78 263 95 0 2 5

Western 1,243 4324 93 951 317 106 1,219 14 1,272 552 622 0 0 38

Anti. 139 176 13 19 32 15 171 0 38 18 100 0 0 8

Col. 338 1,759 6 96 92 108 568 2 25 41 193 0 0 29

Cum. 500 2,593 11 63 64 94 602 4 114 68 166 0 0 47

Guys. 136 46 39 29 123 3 42 0 40 31 80 0 0 5

Halifax 318 183 44 138 115 29 213 1 59 80 138 0 0 8

Hants 203 241 5 43 65 15 264 1 38 50 188 0 0 5

Pictou 198 392 9 10 86 45 322 1 13 11 101 0 0 29

Eastern 1,832 5,390 127 398 577 309 2,182 9 327 299 966 0 0 131

CBret’n 190 664 17 80 30 65 75 0 51 70 71 0 0 0

Inv. 138 396 17 41 8 9 26 0 108 83 52 4 0 0

Rich. 55 325 10 32 15 33 18 0 83 122 92 0 0 1

Vic. 33 73 8 31 17 25 21 0 79 34 125 0 0 0

Cape B 416 1,458 52 184 70 132 140 0 321 309 340 4 0 1

Total 3,491 11,172 272 1533 964 547 3,541 23 1,920 1,160 1,928 4 9 170


Fur Harvest as Calculated from License Returnsand Fur Buyer Slips in 2006-2007

County Beaver Muskrat Otter Mink Bobcat Fox Raccoon Skunk Squirrel Weasel Coyote Lynx Marten Fisher

Anna. 224 1,204 22 68 31 15 137 0 101 29 111 0 0 12

Digby 317 898 12 367 26 8 251 13 2,479 120 133 0 0 11

Kings 145 1,440 12 91 23 18 377 0 359 16 143 0 0 9

Lunen. 407 293 29 94 69 44 258 0 321 76 170 0 0 13

Queens 221 120 21 82 52 5 91 9 80 16 61 0 0 5

Shelb. 164 1,242 21 82 58 7 43 1 88 35 39 0 0 7

Yar. 239 2,345 18 202 42 7 179 1 858 144 118 0 0 7

Western 1,717 7,545 135 986 301 104 1,336 24 4,286 436 775 0 0 64

Anti. 212 1,361 11 66 18 32 96 10 86 32 111 0 0 5

Col. 470 3,651 22 142 78 134 412 4 167 72 219 0 0 36

Cum. 902 6,185 23 186 46 156 836 2 109 64 239 0 0 55

Guys. 281 159 42 63 119 10 25 0 140 100 111 0 0 8

Halifax 573 642 74 253 118 38 320 16 230 187 252 0 0 6

Hants 240 639 10 68 33 26 163 3 80 34 153 0 0 6

Pictou 535 1592 14 53 108 81 258 7 40 48 228 0 0 36

Eastern 3,213 14,229 196 831 520 477 2,110 42 852 537 1,313 0 0 152

CBret’n 248 925 30 86 16 71 45 0 86 100 100 0 0 0

Inv. 217 1,338 18 106 12 32 31 0 1,475 122 101 0 0 0

Rich. 68 639 41 47 21 30 12 0 258 135 91 0 0 0

Vic. 99 220 26 38 7 21 8 0 242 69 133 0 0 0

Cape B 632 3,122 115 277 56 154 96 0 2,061 426 425 0 0 0

Total 5,562 24,896 446 2,094 877 735 3,542 66 7,199 1,399 2,513 0 0 216


Fur Bearing Animals Taken by Furharvestersfrom 1999-2008

Species 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08

Beaver 4,126 3,828 5,792 4,166 5,281 4,973 5,251 5,562 3,491

Muskrat 15,859 13,391 18,779 15,274 19,340 17,980 18,559 24,896 11,172

Otter 440 447 625 591 696 619 551 446 272

Mink 1,686 1,267 1,889 1,811 2,049 1,708 2,175 2,094 1,533

Bobcat 1,403 1,163 1,394 1,193 1,205 750 742 877 964

Fox 662 491 797 677 805 595 660 735 547

Raccoon 2,018 1,409 2,725 3,019 3,551 4916 2,996 3,542 3,541

Weasel 1,156 561 96 1,179 1,477 1,001 1,691 1,399 1,160

Squirrel 1,486 2,554 4,251 5,152 3,161 8,050 3,941 7,199 1,920

Skunk 247 108 96 183 150 132 125 66 23

Fisher 115 84 128 138 138 117 138 216 170

Coyote 1,388 835 1,587 1,809 2,422 1,838 2,619 2,513 1,928

Bag Limit Changes

Bobcat-1990/91: bag limit increased to two provincewide-1991/92: bag limit reduced to one provincewide-1993/94: bag limit increased to two provincewide -1994/95: bag limit reduced to one inCumberland and Colchester Counties-1995/96: bag limit increased to three provincewide (except Cumb/Col)-1996/97: bag limit increased to four provincewide (except Cumb/Col)-1997/98: bag limit increased from one to fourin Colchester County-1998/99: bag limit increased from four to fiveprovince wide except for Cumberland County-1999/00 to 2008/09: bag limit increased to fiveprovince wide

Fisher-1988/89 to 1994/95: season closed-1995/96 to 1997/98: one mistake fisherallowed-1998/99 to 2005/06: one mistake fisherallowed in Cumberland, Colchester and PictouCounties.- 2006/07 to 2008/09: one mistake fisherallowed

Marten-season closed

Lynx-season closed


Species Abundance as Recorded by Fur HarvestersBy Mike O’Brien and Mike Boudreau

Fur harvesters were asked again last year to record their perception of population levels for 16 animalspecies. Population levels for five of those species have been reported for nineteen years, whilepopulation levels for the other nine have been added more recently. This has been a very successfulprogram as it gives us the ability to draw on hundreds of skilled observers, who tell us how abundanteach species is in their area. We encourage all fur harvesters to fill in this section of their report form,as higher numbers of participants increases the accuracy of the data.

Rankings for individual counties may not provide a reliable picture of annual trends because of lowresponse numbers from some areas. The summaries for each of the three regions, as well as theprovincial totals, are considered very reliable. The table shows results for the 2007/08 season. Thenumbers are averages calculated by assigning values to the ranks selected by each fur harvester. Thevalues given to the ranks are shown under the table.

The lowest possible value for a County is “0", which means that all respondents in that County felt thatnone of that particular species was present in their area. The highest possible value is “4", whichmeans that all respondents from that County felt that numbers for that species were “very high”.

This type of information is most valuable when looking at population changes from year to year.Graphs are presented to show the rankings for five species over a nine year period for all of NovaScotia.


CoyoteFurharvester Abundance Ranking

2.54 2.6

2.87 2.832.73

2.572.72 2.67

2.56

2

3

1999/2000 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008

FisherFurharvester Abundance Ranking

0.72 0.76 0.94 0.97 0.95 1.03 1.12 1.14 1.19

0

1

2

3

1999/2000 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008

OtterFurharvester Abundance Ranking

1.45 1.46 1.56 1.56 1.53 1.55 1.47 1.48 1.57

0

1

2

3

1999/2000 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008

Snowshoe HareFurharvester Abundance Ranking

1.6 1.4 1.49 1.7 1.852.32 2.64 2.8

2.43

0

1

2

3

4

1999/2000 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008


Fur Harvest Abundance Estimates for 2009

County B’ver Mskrt Otter Mink Bobcat Fox Rac’on Skunk Sq’rel Weasel Coyote Lynx Marten Fisher Bear Hare

Anna. 2.80 1.97 1.75 1.97 1.79 1.44 2.71 2.59 2.69 1.97 2.70 0.43 0.80 1.67 2.48 2.36

Digby 2.25 2.19 1.16 2.07 1.36 1.38 2.64 1.43 2.40 1.45 2.53 0.12 0.87 0.94 1.67 2.89

Kings 2.19 1.97 1.80 1.83 1.97 1.45 2.89 2.26 2.69 1.97 2.58 1.50 1.00 1.57 2.48 2.12

Lunen. 2.39 1.69 1.60 1.89 1.75 1.47 2.68 1.89 2.83 1.80 2.29 0.03 0.09 1.12 2.02 2.46

Queens 2.84 2.11 2.00 2.21 2.05 1.74 3.05 1.53 2.80 2.28 2.58 0.80 1.00 0.71 2.60 3.05

Shel. 2.49 2.05 1.58 1.69 1.93 1.08 2.77 0.82 2.87 2.02 3.11 0.21 0.26 0.74 2.41 2.64

Yar. 2.31 2.09 1.26 1.90 1.86 0.81 2.62 0.75 2.06 1.88 1.91 0.04 0.67 1.08 1.93 2.58

Western 2.44 2.00 1.55 1.91 1.80 1.32 2.74 1.64 2.62 1.87 2.54 0.17 0.54 1.12 2.19 2.56

Anti. 2.67 2.26 1.52 1.38 1.71 2.09 2.87 2.64 2.73 1.76 3.04 0.00 0.00 0.74 2.35 2.74

Col. 2.66 2.31 1.49 1.84 2.14 1.95 2.73 2.58 2.70 2.08 2.71 0.67 1.14 1.91 2.55 2.48

Cum. 2.72 2.01 1.27 1.68 1.64 2.18 2.74 2.28 2.85 1.83 2.34 0.10 0.10 1.725 2.75 2.11

Guys. 2.70 1.54 2.05 1.56 2.53 1.05 1.77 1.46 2.32 2.03 2.80 0.36 0.14 0.81 2.09 1.65

Halifax 2.47 1.65 1.67 2.02 2.13 1.57 2.32 1.85 2.38 1.88 2.57 0.20 0.15 0.56 2.29 1.97

Hants 2.43 2.03 1.51 1.81 2.07 0.98 2.57 2.00 2.26 1.56 2.57 0.06 0.12 0.97 2.05 2.51

Pictou 2.45 2.17 1.77 1.51 2.07 1.97 2.75 2.54 2.86 2.08 2.87 0.73 0.50 1.85 2.54 2.27

Eastern 2.58 1.99 1.59 1.72 2.03 1.73 2.56 2.20 2.61 1.90 2.65 0.20 0.18 1.35 2.43 2.21

C.B. 2.51 2.09 1.54 2.14 1.69 2.28 2.52 0.00 2.61 2.35 2.24 1.06 0.33 0.25 1.94 2.54

Inv. 2.44 2.39 1.58 1.95 1.68 1.76 1.81 0.25 2.79 2.12 2.59 1.19 0.38 0.50 2.00 3.32

Rich. 2.00 2.18 1.75 1.88 1.21 1.67 1.70 0.00 2.61 2.10 2.13 0.38 0.13 0.25 0.60 2.48

Vic. 1.09 1.64 1.18 1.91 1.50 1.38 1.36 0.00 3.25 2.00 2.38 0.33 0.13 0.13 2.58 3.62

Cape B 2.22 2.15 1.55 2.00 1.56 1.90 1.99 0.03 2.74 2.18 2.33 0.79 0.22 0.28 1.79 2.88

Province 2.48 2.01 1.57 1.83 1.88 1.61 2.56 1.85 2.63 1.93 2.56 0.29 0.33 1.19 2.27 2.43Trappers Newsletter 2008 Page 14 of 29

331 rue Cooper Street, Suite/Bureau 701, Ottawa, ON K2P 0G5 Telephone/Téléphone (613) 231-7099 Fax/Télécopieur (613) 231-7940

www.fur.ca [email protected]

Certified Traps - AIHTS Implementation Updated September 9, 2008

The Canadian Wildlife Directors, Competent Authorities for implementation of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS), have approved a 3-phase process for implementing the AIHTS in Canada. The following lists show the three phases for regulating species-specific traps: (1) the certified traps regulated for specific species in 2007; (2) certified traps that are not affected at this time, pending development of testing technologies; and, (3) the future addition of cage and box traps. The traps listed by name have all been certified as meeting the requirements of the AIHTS for specific species, through the Canadian trap-testing program administered by the Fur Institute of Canada.

Phase 1. STARTED IN FALL 2007 - Certified Traps are regulated for trapping the

following species: KILLING TRAPS

SPECIES CERTIFIED TRAPS REGULATED FOR USE AS OF FALL 2007 Bélisle Classic 330 LDL C280 Sauvageau 2001-11 Bélisle Super X 280 LDL C330 Sauvageau 2001-12 Bélisle Super X 330 LDL C330 Magnum Species-Specific 330 Dislocator Half Magnum B.M.I. 330 Body Gripper Rudy 280 Species-Specific 440 Dislocator Half Magnum

BEAVER Underwater and On Land

Bridger 330 Duke 330

Rudy 330 Sauvageau 1000-11F

Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 280 Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 330

BEAVER Underwater Only

B.M.I. 280 Body Gripper

LDL C280 Magnum

Sauvageau 2001-8

Bélisle Super X 120 Koro #2 Rudy 160 Plus Rudy 220 Plus Sauvageau 2001-6 Bélisle Super X 160 LDL C160 Magnum Rudy 120 Magnum Sauvageau 2001-7

FISHER

Bélisle Super X 220 LDL C220 Magnum Sauvageau 2001-5 Sauvageau 2001-8 Bélisle Super X 120 LDL B120 Magnum Sauvageau C120 Magnum MARTEN

Bélisle Super X 160 B.M.I. 126 Magnum Body Gripper

Rudy 120 Magnum Rudy 160 Plus

Sauvageau 2001-5 Sauvageau 2001-6

Bélisle Classic 220 Bélisle Super X 160 Bélisle Super X 220

Bridger 160 Bridger 220 Duke 160

Northwood 155 Rudy 160 Rudy 160 Plus Rudy 220 Rudy 220 Plus

Bélisle Super X 280 B.M.I. 160 Body Gripper B.M.I. 220 Body Gripper

Duke 220 LDL C160 LDL C220

Sauvageau 2001-6 Sauvageau 2001-7 Sauvageau 2001-8 Species-Specific 220 Dislocator Half Magnum

RACCOON

B.M.I. 280 Body Gripper B.M.I. 280 Magnum Body Gripper

LDL C220 Magnum LDL C280 Magnum


Bélisle Super X 120 Duke 120 Sauvageau C120 Magnum B.M.I. 120 Koro Muskrat Sauvageau C120 “Reverse Bend” B.M.I. 120 Magnum LDL B120 Magnum Triple M

MUSKRAT On Land

B.M.I. 126 Magnum Bridger 120

Rudy 120 Magnum Sauvageau 2001-5


MUSKRAT Underwater

Any jaw type trap (body gripping or leghold) set as a submersion set that exerts clamping force on a muskrat and that maintains a muskrat underwater.

LEGHOLD RESTRAINING TRAPS SPECIES CERTIFIED TRAPS REGULATED FOR USE AS OF FALL 2007

Bélisle Footsnare #6 CANADA LYNX Oneida Victor #3 Soft Catch equipped

with 2 coil springs

Oneida Victor #3 Soft Catch equipped with 4 coil springs

Oneida Victor #3 equipped with a minimum of 8mm thick, non-offset steel jaws, 4 coil springs and an anchoring swivel centre mounted on a base plate

CERTIFIED trap models are given exclusive identification letters that manufacturers must mark on traps they manufacture as of the fall 2007. Trappers may still legally use these same trap models after the implementation of the AIHTS (2007), regardless of whether they bear this mark. Note: New additions to this list are marked in BOLD.


2

Phase 2. YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION TO BE DETERMINED - Certified Traps to be regulated in the future for trapping the following species:

Although the traps listed in Phase 2 are certified for the following species and trap categories, the year of entry into force of the obligation to use only AIHTS Certified traps has not yet been determined. This date, which could vary from one species to another, will be known at least 3 years in advance. Until then, traps that are currently legally permitted can still be used. Check with your provincial or territorial government for regulations related to trap uses applicable in your trapping area.

KILLING TRAPS SPECIES TRAPS CERTIFIED BUT NOT YET MANDATORY OTTER Underwater Bélisle Super X 280 Rudy 280 Rudy 330

LDL C280 Magnum Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 330 WEASEL Victor Rat Trap

CANADA LYNX Woodstream Oneida Victor Conibear 330

BOBCAT, BADGER No killing trap certified to date

LEGHOLD RESTRAINING TRAPS SPECIES TRAPS CERTIFIED BUT NOT YET MANDATORY

Bélisle Footsnare #6 Oneida Victor #3 Soft Catch equipped with 2 coil springs

COYOTE

Bridger #3 equipped with 5/16-inch offset, doubled rounded steel jaw laminations (3/16-inch on topside of jaw and ¼-inch on underside of jaws), with 4 coil springs and an anchoring swivel centre mounted on a base plate.

WOLF Bélisle Footsnare #8

BOBCAT Bélisle Footsnare #6

Phase 3. YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION TO BE DETERMINED - Cage and Box Traps to be Regulated in the future for live-trapping the following species:

LIVE CAPTURE CAGES OR BOXES SPECIES BEAVER, RACCOON, FISHER, MARTEN, MUSKRAT, OTTER, WEASEL, CANADA LYNX, BOBCAT, BADGER

No live capture cage or box certified to date

THIS LIST WILL BE UPDATED AS ADDITIONAL TRAPS ARE CERTIFIED


Nova Scotia’s 2007 Black Bear HarvestJenn Madden

Bear harvest numbers are calculated using information obtained from theannual harvest report forms that you, the hunters and furharvesters of NovaScotia, submit to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Theformula is based on the number of reported bears harvested, total numberof report forms turned in and the total number of bear licences sold. Allof these factors affect harvest estimates (Table 1).

In 2007, bear snaring licence sales decreased slightly while the reportedharvest was the lowest it has been since 2003. Snaring success ratessimilarily declined from 64.3% in 2006 to only 33.5% success. The bearhunting harvest also dramatically declined in 2007, from 932 in 2006 to

650 in 2007, despite the increase in both resident and non-resident licence sales. Part of the reason for the lowharvest estimates may be related to reporting compliance rates. Last year, 3,121 bear hunting licences were soldbut only 1,277 hunting reports were submitted. This results in a compliance rate of only 41%. Bear snaringcompliance, on the other hand, increased substantially. Of 185 snaring licences issued, 154 reports were submitted(83% compliance).

When reporting compliance is low, there is often not enough information on which to derive key indicators on bearage/sex ratios, number of bears taken from specific areas, and an overall limited confidence in harvest numbers.Without reliable data on these parameters, it’s also difficult to assess whether the kill is withinacceptable/sustainable limits. Improving harvest compliance is in your hands so it’s important to do your part tohelp manage the resource in which you harvest.

Being a responsible hunter and furharvester doesn’t end when you harvest your bear. It includes your responsibilityof submitting harvest report forms and corresponding biological samples. For bear hunting and snaring, submissionof harvest reports is mandatory, regardless of whether or not you harvest a bear. The data collected is used todetermine hunter effort and success rate (Table 1) as well as harvest by county. Bear Hunting Report Forms areavailable as a removable postcard in the Licence & Summary of Regulations booklet and Bear Snaring ReportForms are available at any DNR office. You can also report your bear harvest online at; http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/web/obserharvt.htm.

Hunters successful in harvesting a bear are also required to submit a premolar tooth. The bear skull or jaw canbe submitted to any DNR office for tooth extraction and will, upon request, be returned to the hunter. Premolars are processed at the Wildlife Division in Kentville and then sent to a laboratory in Montana for ageanalysis. The age distribution of harvested bears in 2006 and 2007 is depicted in Figure 1 and is based on 485submitted premolars in 2006 and 294 in 2007.

Thank you for being an integral part of Black Bear management in Nova Scotia. Your cooperation is valuedwill help to ensure the sustainable use of this species.


Table 1. Bear Harvest Summary 1994 - 2007

Year BearHuntingLicenses

(Resident)

Bear HuntingLicences

(Non-resident)

EstimatedHunterHarvest

EstimatedHunterSuccess

BearSnaringLicences

EstimatedSnaringHarvest

1994 481 37 248 47.9% 181 110

1995 708 81 286 36.2% 227 91

1996 656 102 247 32.6% 184 67

1997 540 116 191 29.2% 162 65

1998 505 109 243 39.6% 142 65

1999 522 123 208 32.2% 101 33

2000 498 153 264 40.6% 127 54

2001 544 101 226 35.0% 155 54

2002 584 84 284 42.6% 197 96

2003 1322 87 393 27.9% 156 39

2004 1510 82 741 46.6% 195 101

2005 2015 86 573 27.3% 182 81

2006 2697 59 932 33.8% 199 128

2007 3046 75 650 20.8% 185 62

Calculated Harvest = #Bears Reported Harvested X # of Licenses Issued #Reports Received


Figure 1. Age distribution of bears harvested in 2006 and 2007

020406080

100120140160180200

Freq

uenc

y

<1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12+Bear Age (Years)

2006

2007

Age Distribution of Black Bear Harvest2006 and 2007


Cape Breton Marten Project: Augmentation of the Cape Breton Island marten Population By Peter Austin-Smith The Cape Breton population of marten was provincially listed as Endangered in Nova Scotia in 2001 and is currently persisting at very low numbers. Two major factors likely contributed to the decline of marten on Cape Breton Island: over-exploitation via unregulated trapping through the late 1800s and early 1900s, and then more recently, the loss, degradation and fragmentation of suitable habitat. Since the early 1900s marten have been close to extirpation in the province, but a few have persisted around the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the greater Cape Breton Highlands area. Individual sightings, track reports, and more recently a photo (winter 1994) of a marten, have confirmed the existence of marten on the highland plateau and associated valleys. Translocation of wild marten, or the release of captive bred animals is considered the best way to recover marten in Cape Breton because of the small number of individuals within the current population, and the absence of nearby populations. Recent analysis suggests that the marten in Cape Breton are genetically similar to other northeastern North American populations, but suffer from low genetic variation. Recently, the Nova Scotia Marten Recovery Team endorsed a study that determined the translocation of wild, live-trapped marten, and/or releasing captive-bred marten in Cape Breton was feasible. Objectives of the study were to: 1. Determine if there was an adequate amount and configuration of suitable marten habitat and prey in Cape Breton; 2. Detetermine if there was a genetically compatible source population available for reintroduction; 3.Determine the usefulness of a captive marten colony at Shubenacadie; 4. Assess potential interspecific impacts; 5. Determine implementation and legal requirements; 6. Develop a communications plan; 7. Determine monitoring techniques to be used; and, 8. Determine by what criteria the project will be evaluated criteria. Eight potential reintroduction areas were identified based on the habitat assessment, the marten habitat management zone, and level of habitat protection (Federal Park or Provincial Wilderness Area). Genetic analyses and logistical considerations suggest that New Brunswick has the most suitable source population of marten for translocation to Cape Breton. This population is capable of sustaining the removal of thirty to fifty marten a year over three years, starting in the fall of 2006. These numbers can be added to by releasing captive-bred marten currently being held at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park. The overall goal would be to release 90 – 150 animals over three to five years. Ideally the sex ratio of those animals released would be a 1:1 ratio (1 male for every female). During the late fall of 2007 two trappers (one from Nova Scotia and one from New Brunswick) were hired to live trap marten in northern New Brunswick. In total 30 marten were captured and relocated to Cape Breton by DNR staff with support from


Parks Canada. The animals were released at several sites within Cape Breton Highlands National Park and on provincial crown land that had been identified as having suitable marten habitat. All marten were PIT tagged, weighed and had DNA (hair) samples collected for future analysis if required. Six male marten were radio collared to provide some information on movement and habitat use. These animals continue to be monitored when air support (helicopter) is available. Live trapping is scheduled to continue in the fall of 2008 with a goal of 30-50 marten being transported to CBI. Western NS Marten Project: Examining the size and extent of the marten (Martes Americana) population in western Nova Scotia. By Peter Austin-Smith The mainland marten population, with a “hotspot” being centered near Ohio, is classified as ‘data deficient’. This population is believed to be, at least partially, the result of a reintroduction program that released 116 marten from New Brunswick into 11 park sites at Kejimkujik National Park between 1987 and 1994. In 1979, the last reported marten trapped on the mainland was from this area, which suggests a remnant population may have existed prior to the Kejimkujik National Park releases. The objective of the Kejimkujik program was to re-establish a viable self-sustaining population within the Park, from which the species could eventually re-establish itself elsewhere. During and subsequent to the release, several studies were conducted to assess the success of the program. As of 1996, sightings had occurred as far as 65 km from the release sites, though most were in the release area. Since 1998 marten sightings, tracks and accidentally trapped animals have been reported from the area bounded by Digby, Weymouth and Yarmouth, with most reports from Weymouth to the Clare District. In the last four years, approximately 40 incidentally trapped marten have been reported from this area (Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources 2006). Other than these reports, there has been little or no effort to determine the success of the relocation project. TANS, in partnership with NS DNR, has been successful in obtaining funds from the NS Habitat Conservation Fund to conduct a project to determine the extent of this mainland population using remote detection devices, records of past sightings and sign (tracks and scat). Habitat data collected at confirmed marten locations will feed into the current habitat model to improve its reliability. An improved marten habitat model may alter or change the forest management practices currently being carried out on Crown land known to support marten in Nova Scotia. Through the course of the project, the area to be surveyed will radiate out from the Weymouth and Kejimkujik National Park areas, to include areas suggested to have suitable habitat (based on the current model) in the five western counties of Nova Scotia. Western NS is a predominately rural region characterized by a heavy reliance on natural resource industries. Sustainability of these industries and the resources on which they rely is very important. By determining the extent and the habitat needs of the SW NS marten


population, TANS will be able to work closely with landowners and the forest industry to ensure that marten habitat can be identified (and protected if deemed necessary) based on an enhanced marten habitat model. By increasing the efficacy of detection units, methods and procedures, marten presence/absence from the landscape can be more easily determined. Various types of snares have been developed to collect animal hairs including PVC piping lined with adhesive tape and coils of barbed wire, or double sided tape, Velcro or rodent glue traps attached to wooden or ‘coroplast’ board ‘cubbies’ placed in tree or on the ground, to snag hairs as the animal passes to a bait. An Acadia University coop student is investigating (Year 1) the efficiency of various hair snag designs for this project using captive-bred marten being held at the Nova Scotia Provincial Wildlife Park in Shubenacadie for her honours thesis. The snag that she found to be most effective was the one that used three intact wooden boards that were 15 cm wide. The rodent glue boards were also determined to be the most effective snagging medium, and could be conveniently stored for analysis indoors at a later date. The current NS DNR marten habitat model was run using the 2002 forest inventory data for Annapolis, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne and Queens counties to determine the quality of marten habitat (very good, good, fair, poor and very poor) (Fig 1). This stratifies the survey by expectation of success based on modeled habitat quality. Priority areas for surveys are those containing very good, good or fair habitat.

Figure 1. Map of SW Nova Scotia marten suitability based on the NS DNR model.


A 5km2 grid was then placed over the map to provide systematic sample units in which to look for marten. A minimum of four hair snag stations was placed in each sample unit with 0.5-km intervals, in the area of the sample unit with the most appropriate habitat or where unconfirmed sightings have occurred. Snags were left for 12 days or until a marten has been detected. The traps were checked, re-baited and scented every four days. Confirmation of marten presence or absence is based on hair samples captured on hair snag units, tracks or scat. Should marten be detected prior to the 12 days, the units are picked up and moved to another 5km2 grid having suitable habitat. Survey crews are to GPS and describe the cover type near each hair snag location. Habitat descriptors include: tree size, canopy closure, dominate tree species at each site and estimate percentage cover of the dominant tree and shrub species as well as distance to water. It is possible to identify some species in the field by hair colour, length and texture. All hair samples were handled with tweezers and placed in labeled plastic bags for additional verification. Future genetic analysis of the hair samples collected will provide a strong indication of the health and size of the SW NS marten population, which will then help determine the status of this population.

Figure 2. 5km2 blocks sampled in 2008. Figure 3. 5km2 blocks were marten

were detected Figure 4. Current distribution of marten in SW Nova Scotia


Marten Recovery in Cape Breton…. Issue of Habitat course woody debris

Rebecca Jeppesen, MSc Candidate. The American marten (Martes americana) is a mink-sized arboreal member of the

weasel family found across most of North America1. In Nova Scotia, this furbearer was

listed as endangered in 2001 as a result of historic over-trapping and habitat

fragmentation2. There have been records of sightings and accidental catch in the south-

west portion of the province in recent years3, but in Cape Breton the numbers are

currently estimated at no more than 50 individuals4.

In an effort to conserve, restore, and sustain the species in the province, the

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has developed partnerships with Parks Canada,

TANS, Wildlife Conservation Society, Uni’maki Institute of Natural Resources, Mersey

Tobeatic Research Institute5, and others to form the Nova Scotia Marten Recovery Team

(NSMRT). The NSMRT began live-trapping marten in northern New Brunswick for

release in Cape Breton to supplement the population.

To help increase the success of this augmentation, I started working on

identifying suitable habitat in the area as part of my MSc research at Acadia University.

Marten typically inhabit mature or old-growth softwood forests with a high degree of

over-head closure and abundant deadwood that serves to protect them from extreme

1 Banfield, A.W.F. 1974. The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press. 2 Austin-Smith, P. 2006. Feasibility assessment and plan for augmenting the Cape Breton American marten population. For NS DNR and Parks Canada CBHNP. Nova Scotia Marten Recovery Team. 3 Berlo, J. 2006. Modeling American marten (Martes americana) habitat use in Nova Scotia. Master of Science (Biology) Thesis submitted to Acadia University. 4 Scott, F. 2001. Status of American marten, Marten americana, on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. A Report to the Wildlife Division, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources. Department of Biology Acadia University 5 O’Brien, M. Manager Furbearers and Upland Game, NSDNR Wildlife Division. Personal Communication.


weather and tends to support a variety of small mammals which make up the bulk of their

diet1.

DNR has created a geographic information systems (GIS) based digital map

which outlines all forest stands in the province, and contains data on age, height, tree

species composition, degree and type of forestry operation, and over-head closure6. The

GIS map does not, however, contain information concerning the amount or type of

deadwood in a stand. For the past 2 summers, myself, DNR staff and volunteers have

surveyed the forests of Cape Breton Highlands in an effort to collect enough data to allow

me to predict the amount of deadwood that will be present in a stand based on the data

that is already available.

With the field work complete, information collected will be used to identify

which forest type that is the most suitable for marten now and in the future. DNR and the

NSMRT will be able to use the maps produced to help determine the best available areas

to release marten.

The next step will be to create a virtual ecosystem of the Cape Breton highlands

region, using the GIS habitat maps as the landscape. This ecosystem will have virtual

marten moving through it, living, reproducing, and dying - each individual essentially

living as it would in nature. Using this system - called an individual based model, or

IBM - different release scenarios under different circumstances can be tried to see what

the results would be. We’ll be able to see how the marten population will respond over

the next 50 years, if DNR and the NSMRT release for example, 10 marten a year in one

location for the next 10 years, or 20 marten a year in another location.

6 Province of Nova Scotia, Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division (DNR Forestry). 2007. < www.gov.ns.ca/natr/forestry/ >. Website accessed January 10, 2008.


We’ll also be able to impose specific variables such as wildfire, insect outbreaks, or inter-

specific competition from species like fisher, as well as natural or human mortality on

this virtual ecosystem, to see what the impact would be on the species. Through trial,

error, and analysis I hope to determine the augmentation strategy that is most likely to

ensure success, and help DNR and the NSMRT reach their goal of having a viable, self-

sustaining marten population in Cape Breton.

Funding and support for this research has been provided by:

Acadia University

MITACS Internships

Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources

Nova Scotia Habitat Conservation Fund

Nova Scotia Species at Risk Fund

Parks Canada, Cape Breton Highlands National Park


Species at Risk in Nova Scotia

Wildlife species protected under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act

Every fall the Minister of Natural Resources releases the names of new species to be added tothe growing list of species protected under the province’s Endangered Species Act. Endangeredmeans they could become extinct in Nova Scotia if steps to remove the threats to these speciesare not taken.

Currently, two fur-bearing species, the Cape Breton populations of marten and lynx, are listedunder the Act. Both populations are centered in the highlands of Cape Breton. However, themainland population of marten is still “red listed” (At Risk, Maybe at Risk). Red listed speciescovers those species for which a formal detailed risk assessment has been completed (COSEWICassessment or a provincial equivalent) and that have been determined to be at risk of extirpationor extinction. Species that maybe at risk of immediate extirpation or extinction and are thereforecandidates for interim conservation action and detailed risk assessment by COSEWIC or theProvince.

For more information on the status of wildlife in Nova Scotia visit the general status web pagehttp://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/genstatus/

For up-dates on provincially listed species under the Endangered Species Act visit endangeredspecies list web page http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/endngrd/specieslist.htm

As a trapper, you can help in several ways:• Carefully release any live marten or lynx accidentally captured in a trap.• Report and submit any lynx or marten accidentally killed in a trap to your local DNR office.• Keep a written record of where and when you see a lynx or marten, or any sign of these

species during the trapping season. Return it along with your Fur Harvester report at the endof the trapping season.

For more information on how to avoid incidental take of these animalshttp://www.speciesatrisk.ca/martenandlynx/

For more information contact your local DNR office or the Wildlife Division office in Kentvilleat 902-679-6091.


Otter carcass collectionsMike Boudreau

The Department of Natural Resources-Wildlife Division collects furbearer carcasses fromtrappers every year. Furharvesters in the province have for many years provided these carcassesfrom a variety of different species on an annual basis. Although many of these collections aremandatory for protected species, there are from time to time a few voluntary requests. Thesecollections are essential for DNR to gather specimens, collect biological information and data onspecies which are otherwise difficult to survey. Having a mandatory collection, ensures thattrappers turn in all carcasses before the corresponding pelt is stamped legally harvested andaccounted for, prior to export. One such species is the river otter, which have large home ranges and exist throughout theprovince in low densities. The collection of otter carcasses therefore, provides valuableinformation on the health of the population. Otter carcass collections commenced in 1988/89and continued until the spring of 1991. These collections were initiated to establish base lineinformation on our otter population in the province. Prior to 1988, the only informationavailable on otters was the number of pelts exported. DNR resumed otter collections in the fallof 1997 and continued to the end of the 2007/08 season. Carcasses were presented to a DNRarea office, where it was assigned a unique number. Information such as: identity of thefurharvester, location, method of kill, and date of harvest are all recorded in a database. Oncecarcasses are collected, identified and tagged, biological information can then be collected fromeach individual. Age can be determined by examining the teeth of the animal. The preferredtooth depends largely on the species of animal. For otter, the canine tooth from the lower jaw ispreferred. However, the upper canines will work if the lower canines are damaged, broken ormissing. One method of aging furbearers involves extracting a canine tooth, the teeth are catalogued andsent to a lab in Montana to be processed. This aging process is known as cementum analysis andinvolves staining a thin section of tooth and, with the aid of a microscope, counting thecementum rings. This process is similar to counting the growth rings on a tree and will give anaccurate age of the individual otter. Although this process is time consuming and expensive, itproduces an accurate picture of the age structure of the harvested population.

An alternative to cementum analysis, which is used by DNR staff, isradiographing. This method involves extracting a tooth from eachanimal, labeling, securing them to a sheet of bristle board and taking anx-ray of all teeth. With the aid of a light table and a set of digitalcalibers, the total width of each tooth and it’s pulp cavity is measuredand the ratio calculated, and assigned to each tooth. This ratio is thenused to determine a particular age class. Although not as exact ascementum analysis, the age class provided through radiographing isjust as useful. Age classes are typically divided into three categories.


Juveniles are individuals who are less than one year of age. Yearlings are one and a half yearsold, and adults, are over one and a half years old. The graph (Appendix A) shows the otterharvest broken down by age classes beginning in 1988 and ending in 2008. There was no datacollected for a six year period from 1991/92 to 1996/97.

Appendix A:

The graph (Appendix A) illustrates the annual harvest distribution of each age class per year. This graph shows that on average 29% of the annual harvest was comprised of adults, ascompared to 45% for juveniles over the same time period.


Nova Scotia TRAPPERS

Documents

Transcript of Nova Scotia TRAPPERS