Pennsylvania Game News - November 2022 - 38

mystery, so prior to the season we combined
what we learned before with as
much outside information as was possible
to increase our chances of success. We
adapted our flatland strategies and began
to look at the forest from the proverbial
" thousand feet. " We looked for intersections
in the forest: where old logging
traPPing's role
Trapping has always been and continues
to be an important tool in the toolbox of
wildlife managers across the nation.
The carcass from the fisher caught in
this story was donated to the Pennsylvania
Game Commission to be tested as part of a
study addressing the prevalence of rodenticides
within fishers, bobcats and otters.
On a larger scale, information on furbearer
sex, age, reproduction and health all are
collected thanks to trapper participation.
Trapping is also an important tool for
protecting human health and safety from
disease threats and other risks. What's
more, trapping is an important aspect of
restoring species, including those threatened
and endangered.
Here are a few other things to remember
about trapping:
* Only abundant species have trapping
seasons, and these are highly regulated
through specific laws and regulations. Wildlife
species will not become threatened or
endangered due to trapping.
* Trapping is managed through sciencebased
regulations that are strictly enforced
by State Game Wardens.
* The Pennsylvania Game Commission
is continually reviewing and developing
rules, regulations, education programs and
capture methods to ensure the humaneness
of trapping.
Without trapping and trappers, management
of furbearing species in Pennsylvania
would be incredibly difficult.
The partnership between wildlife managers
and trappers is extremely important
for the future of these species within the
Commonwealth.
- By toM Keller
38
roads met, log landings from prior timber
operations, recent cuts coming back with
early successional growth, pipelines
crossing logging roads, and the subtle
topography of ridges and ravines within
the mountains.
In short, we scouted hard, some in
person, some through the eyes of a satellite,
before arriving the opening morning
of fisher and bobcat season at first light.
We had long been preparing, too. We
made our waxed dirt in the summer heat
(if you've ever questioned a trapper's
dedication, just look up waxed dirt).
September found us cleaning, dying and
waxing traps, and in the weeks leading up
to the mid-December season opener, we
outfitted the truck with any and all gear
we could possibly need.
The season before had been an eyeopener
and we learned the hard way the
importance of being prepared. It started
with 30 inches of snow and ice that made
it virtually impossible to access most of
the locations we had pre-selected. Each
day started and ended with tire chain
installation and removal.
Despite all of that, we persevered, and
Adam caught a beautiful male bobcat
after having to remake every set due to
the constant freeze/thaw conditions. It was
a testament to his resilience and stick-toit-iveness.
Now,
a new season was upon us.
Fortunately, this year brought warmer
temperatures, although it was slightly
damp. Unfortunately, we stopped at the
first set location to learn we had competition.
A cubby set was there.
It's an unwritten rule in trapping - if
you come upon another trapper's set location,
you don't set a trap in the vicinity. I
believe this particular unwritten rule falls
under part 3.5 of section 6 under Act VII
of the Golden Rule. Don't quote me on
Pennsylvania Game News - November 2022

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