Northeastern Minnesota furbearer registrations higher than last year
(Released February 11, 2010)
Furbearer registrations in northeast Minnesota for the 2009 trapping season increased 13 percent from 2008, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Jeff Lightfoot, DNR regional wildlife manager, said trappers registering 154 more marten, 118 more otter, 240 more bobcat and 112 fewer fisher.
The 2009-2010 season for marten and fisher was a nine-day season. This season length was instituted in 2007 to reduce the harvest of these two species due to a high harvest in 2006. A similar harvest to 2008 suggests that the shortened season length is producing the desired result of a reduced harvest level on these two species.
Trappers are required to register all marten, fisher, otter and bobcat that are taken during their respective seasons. Seasons, limits or area closures are in place for all of these species.
Seasons for these species have been established in areas of the state with healthy populations. These regulations are intended to provide opportunities for limited harvest of these species, continue to allow for range expansion and still maintain healthy populations for all Minnesota residents to enjoy.
Wildlife managers and biologists will assess the 2009 furbearer harvest and population levels this winter before determining the 2010 season for furbearers.
Information on seasons and limits for furbearers is available in the DNR?s 2009 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet.
Northeast Minnesota Fur Registration 2005-2009
RegistrationStation
Species
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Aitkin
Marten 8 6 21 6 4
Fisher 49 80 110 88 48
Otter 35 33 81 53 89
Bobcat 22 8 7 23 5
Brainerd
Marten 16 29 20 33 21
Fisher 37 91 70 142 79
Otter 67 32 71 161 171
Bobcat 60 10 46 72 43
Cloquet
Marten 42 63 34 149 89
Fisher 29 40 36 100 108
Otter 49 36 56 69 79
Bobcat 53 11 31 39 40
Duluth
Marten 40 71 122 181 116
Fisher 23 29 36 64 63
Otter 42 27 32 55 58
Bobcat 28 7 8 7 1
Hinckley
Marten 22 2 43 74 68
Fisher 28 26 36 105 48
Otter 20 87 26 117 57
Bobcat 23 33 55 52 34
Grand Rapids
Marten 76 68 67 114 100
Fisher 107 127 122 214 198
Otter 109 85 107 151 208
Bobcat 70 13 48 91 65
Deer River
Marten 7 10 5 35 18
Fisher 21 36 52 87 61
Otter 43 14 48 134 108
Bobcat 17 2 7 18 21
Effie
Marten 36 35 49 110 32
Fisher 21 20 19 61 42
Otter 32 31 42 47 34
Bobcat 7 0 14 4 21
Int. Falls
Marten 207 194 194 325 252
Fisher 52 66 61 126 106
Otter 31 32 39 38 72
Bobcat 3 6 3 3 3
Northome
Marten 32 8 19 44 19
Fisher 22 10 15 35 24
Otter 38 17 15 87 83
Bobcat 29 6 5 53 16
Orr
Marten 79 57 36 86 63
Fisher 20 16 20 62 35
Otter 23 2 8 26 38
Bobcat 3 0 1 1 1
Big Falls
Marten 81 81 95 162 104
Fisher 20 31 28 64 58
Otter 19 24 17 38 39
Bobcat 7 5 1 1 5
Cook
Marten 38 21 42 93 54
Fisher 14 11 30 113 78
Otter 9 9 8 32 34
Bobcat 1 0 0 0 4
Eveleth
Marten 192 163 206 344 271
Fisher 93 80 81 226 177
Otter 45 35 63 66 100
Bobcat 4 5 6 12 26
Hibbing
Marten 84 95 137 240 169
Fisher 96 94 182 363 231
Otter 69 69 70 132 106
Bobcat 27 14 23 2 10
Tower
Marten 292 282 348 533 348
Fisher 51 43 64 118 85
Otter 45 46 41 70 88
Bobcat 6 0 5 2 1
Finland
Marten 65 64 95 210 160
Fisher 4 7 4 21 28
Otter 3 3 9 13 14
Bobcat 0 0 0 0 0
Grand Marais
Marten 137 90 149 303 213
Fisher 7 4 18 23 24
Otter 10 1 7 18 42
Bobcat 0 0 0 0 3
Two Harbors
Marten 171 132 149 289 195
Fisher 25 20 27 29 39
Otter 36 15 42 24 51
Bobcat 2 2 1 0 2
TotalRegistrations
Marten 1625 1471 1831 3331 2258
Fisher 719 831 1011 2041 1532
Otter 712 594 766 1331 1471
Bobcat 362 122 261 412 286
