Oklahoma furbearers offer exciting opportunities

Monday, December 4th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Despite increasing populations and the promise of economic return, the number of sportsmen pursuing furbearers in Oklahoma continues to decline. There is no better time to reverse this trend than right now. Oklahoma is blessed with a rich diversity of furbearers allowing hunters and trappers ample opportunity to enjoy participating in this sport.

"Most furbearing species are plentiful, and bobcat populations are increasing in many parts of the state," said Russ Horton, central region senior biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Hunters and trappers have an important role in helping to maintain the health and well being of Oklahoma's furbearer populations. Those methods are the most effective tool to manage the resource, and it provides sportsmen extra opportunities to spend some quality time afield during the winter."

Oklahoma's statewide furbearer season runs Dec. 1 - Jan. 31 except for bobcat season, which runs Dec. 1 - Feb. 28. Due to a depressed fur market, the number of sportsmen pursuing furbearers decreased in 1999-2000. Likewise, the value of Oklahoma's fur harvest in 1999-2000 was $9,543 compared to $38,338 the previous year and $318,644 in 1996-97.

"From a management standpoint, harvesting furbearers benefits other wildlife such as ground nesting birds, especially wild turkeys," Horton said. "Bobcats prey on adult wild turkeys, and raccoons consume considerable numbers of wild turkey eggs. Opossums prey on tree-nesting birds.

"Controlling furbearers is a desireable wildlife management practice. It's also a good way to become more familiar with the areas you ordinarily hunt other game, and it's a great way to introduce a newcomer to the outdoors."

In 1999-2000, hunters and trappers tagged 76 bobcat pelts in Dewey County. No other county tagged more than 62 bobcats and only 1,303 were tagged statewide.

"There isn't any reason for these declines," Horton added. "The market has been down, but this is still a great resource. Hunting and trapping furbearers has been a long-time tradition, and with the current populations there is no reason for that to change."

Those wanting to take bobcats, raccoons or gray fox must possess a special bobcat-raccoon-gray fox license. It costs $9 for residents, $51 for non-residents. Resident lifetime license holders are exempt from having to purchase the license. The license is not required for those who chase furbearers with dogs but do not harvest them.

A trapping license is required for all persons who trap. Only resident landowners or tenants or their children who trap on land they own or lease (not including hunt leases) are exempt from purchasing trapping licenses.

Landowners or lessees may kill furbearers actually found destroying livestock or poultry without having a license, but they may not remove any part of the fur or carcass from the premises where taken.

Complete furbearer regulations are printed in the 2000-2001 Oklahoma Hunting Guide and Regulations, available statewide at hunting and fishing license dealers.