Report Fisher sightings here

[Humptulips]

Report Fisher Sightings Here
Every Fisher sighting is important to help get Fisher delisted in Washington. Please report any tracks, photos, or sightings of Fisher, especially trapped Fishers that were released.
- When: Approx Date & Year of your sighting.
- Location: County, Game Management Unit, and the closest mountain or drainage.
- How Many: Report how many were inviolved in your sighting.
- Photos: Any photos or recordings are very helpful. Remember to lay something on the ground next to tracks for size comparison.
- Helpful Info: Note any details and explain why you think what you saw was a Fisher.
- Accuracy: Be as factual as possible.

Trappers,
 I spoke with Jeff Lewis at WDFW. He is the Mesocarnivore Conservation Bioligist. He is very interested in speaking with any trappers that catch fishers.
What he would like if possible is a picture, the location and date of capture. He also wants your opinion on the health of the fisher at release and if possible any hair or scat that might be left in the trap. The hair and scat are for genetic testing.
 You can reach him at  Jeffrey.Lewis@dfw.wa.gov or call (360)902-2374Any info you can offer is important and will help get Fisher delisted in Washington. Then we can work on a season. Feel free to message me if you would like to remain anonymous.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR HELPING 

[grundy53]

Great idea! especially now that it is hunting season. There will be a lot of hunters out in the woods. Maybe you should post a few pictures up for those of us that are not familiar with Fishers. That way we know what we are looking for or what we came across.

[Humptulips]

A link to WDFW page on reintoduction of Fishers
 http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/fisher/reintroduction.html

Males are  35–47 in in length and weigh 8–13 lb. Females measure 30–37 in and weigh 4–6 lb. The fur of the fisher varies seasonally, being denser and glossier in the winter. During the summer, the color becomes more mottled, as the fur goes through a moulting cycle. Fishers prefer to hunt in full forest. While they are agile climbers, most of their time is spent on the forest floor. They also prefer to forage where there is fallen dead wood on the forest floor. Fishers are omnivorous and feed on a wide variety of small animals and occasionally fruits and mushrooms. They show a preference for the snowshoe hare and are one of the few predators able to successfully hunt porcupine. Despite their name, fishers seldom eat fish.

[Humptulips]

Caught and released this Fisher in GMU 642 not far east of Pacific Beach in the upper Joe Creek drainage, 12/15/13.

[Humptulips]

Released this fisher in GMU 642 near macafee hill. 12/17/13

[grundy53]

nice work! 

[Bigshooter]

I received a letter the other day from WDFW telling me if I trap a fisher to take pics, and collect hair and scat if possible.  It also said if I found a road killed one to collect it and they would come get it.  Anyone else get this letter?

[bugs n bones]

I received a letter the other day from WDFW telling me if I trap a fisher to take pics, and collect hair and scat if possible.  It also said if I found a road killed one to collect it and they would come get it.  Anyone else get this letter?

yes everyone with a trapping license

[Humptulips]

I saw a fisher run across the road today about a mile south of my house US101 MP 121.
Sorry, no pictures.

[7mmfan]

Sorry no pics, was to fleeting, but I'm pretty sure we saw a Fisher while floating the Queets this weekend. I thought it was a mink at first but it was to large and the fur didn't look as sleek as a mink's. It was very rusty brown with a black tail. I would estimate the animal to be about 30"-35" long.

This right along the bank about midway between Streator's and Hartzel's.

[lokidog]

One of my neighbors here on Decatur Island says he saw a Fisher a couple weeks ago....    Maybe he saw one of my family members since our last name is Fisher.     Pretty sure he just saw a mink.  Of course I have another neighbor that claims she has Martins running around her property.  Wish these wannabe biologists would do a Google images search once in a while.

Nice pics Humptulips.

[Boss .300 winmag]

One of my neighbors here on Decatur Island says he saw a Fisher a couple weeks ago....    Maybe he saw one of my family members since our last name is Fisher.     Pretty sure he just saw a mink.  Of course I have another neighbor that claims she has Martins running around her property.  Wish these wannabe biologists would do a Google images search once in a while.

Nice pics Humptulips.

Loki I think if you look closer next time in the woods you will see a wolverine too, now if your really keen and keep a good eye out you might see the most famous of all northwest creatures the elusive Biggie

[GreekWaterDog]

Folks-
I have a possible fisher captured on trail camera this fall; would like your opinions.  This is in the NE portion of GMU 607.  Also include a picture of 2 yotes in the same location for scale.

Thoughts from you pro's?

[Humptulips]

I  am inclined to say no.
Reasons: The ears are wrong. Fishers ears are more rounded, not so pointy and those in the picture stick up too much. In the second picture if it was a fisher the ears would not be any higher then the forehead.
Also I think it is too big.

If all I had to go by was the first  picture I would really have a question mark but the second picture seals it for me as not a fisher.

[Elkaholic daWg]

 Bobkitty??

[GreekWaterDog]

I  am inclined to say no.
Reasons: The ears are wrong. Fishers ears are more rounded, not so pointy and those in the picture stick up too much. In the second picture if it was a fisher the ears would not be any higher then the forehead.
Also I think it is too big.

If all I had to go by was the first  picture I would really have a question mark but the second picture seals it for me as not a fisher.

Thanks-
The ears are what's throwing me off as well.  Not a possum... what could this critter be?

[JimmyHoffa]

coyote laying down looks like to me

[GreekWaterDog]

Bobkitty??

Don't think it's a cat... Here is a big kitty at the same location; and then a big bob just up the hill.

[Humptulips]

coyote laying down looks like to me

 

[-Trap_addicT-]

coyote laying down looks like to me

 

 

[Cylvertip]

coyote laying down looks like to me

 

 

 

[ouchfoss]

Caught and released my first one 2-27-2017 on FS road 2190 half mile from hwy 101.

[Norman89]

Got a look at my first Fisher this morning on my way to work in the dark caught him in the headlights 1/4 mile north of clay city road on Orville road between kapowsin and ohop lakes

[Oh Mah]

I saw a large fisher today at the Cowiche trail head on the hillside about 50 yards from the trail head sign.

[Kain]

Any chance these are fisher?  The stride was about two feet.  Timber land near Battleground 2012.   

[ouchfoss]

Saw one today cross the road right in front of me at Mile marker 100 on hwy 101 north of hoquiam.

[JakeLand]

This *censored* ate 6 marten off one of my lines last year hopefully he stays away this year

[Humptulips]

I caught and released a small female fisher before Christmas. About 5 miles east of Moclips. Sorry no pictures. I had no camera. It's getting to be not such a big deal anyway. This is the fifth one I have caught. I'm seeing more sign of them too. They are stealing my skunk baits. Looks to me like they run the logging roads so if true one can cover a lot of country.

[boneaddict]

I think one showed up on the Alone show this last season.  I think thats where I saw it...   Probably murder on someone wanting to snare rabbits to live off of. LOL

[JakeLand]

Small female caught in a cat cage