My first Otter

[Moss Back]

Well i have a friend with a private fish pond. he called me and asked if i have ever trapped one. I told him I've tried but never had success. Well after many try's, BAM!!!! got one... although i do have a question for you folks. I had this one in a trap on an island and the big male was sitting next to her and would not leave. Can i shoot the one sitting out in the open? I mean this place is infested and i saw them everywhere....

[Alpinist]

... although i do have a question for you folks. I had this one in a trap on an island and the big male was sitting next to her and would not leave. Can i shoot the one sitting out in the open?

According to the 2013 Washington State Big Game Hunting Pamphlet:
"Beaver, Badger, Weasels, Marten, Mink, Muskrat, and River Otter
Cannot be hunted; see trapping regulations"

On the other hand, according to WAC 232-36-051:
"(3) Killing wildlife causing damage or killing wildlife to prevent private property damage.
(c) Subject to subsection (7) of this section, the following list of wildlife species may be killed with the express permission of the owner, when causing damage to private property: Raccoon, fox, bobcat, beaver, muskrat, mink, river otter, weasel, hare, and cottontail rabbits."
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=232-36-051

[3nails]

Nice one! Are you keeping or selling?

[boneaddict]

My brother taxidermied his first one.  Pretty cool mount.

[Moss Back]

The deal i made with the owner was he wants to mount the first one and i get the rest. I skinned it for taxidermy. kinda tough skinning those little knuckles. I seen the regs about not hunting them, but the owner wants them GONE...... he figures they've cost him 15,000 bucks. I figured they might fall under depredation reg. This one measured 42" from tip to base of tail, and weighed 33lbs.

[boneaddict]

How did the male compare in size?   He might make a great trophy.

[Moss Back]

 The male was huge compared to this one. The owner has 15lbs plus fish, or should i say had. We seen him eating a trout the size of a salmon. I'm just guessing but maybe a 50-60 pounder. he's as tall as a 5 year old.

[boneaddict]

Hope you get him, that would be cool

[BOWHUNTER45]

Sweeeet 

[Moss Back]

Got some decent info. my old neighbor is a gamie. I had him put a cities tag on this fur. I asked him about depredation regs on these buggers. I must say he is well versed on the laws and regs. I can blast away on the wily buggers but...... I have to turn the entire carcass over to the WDFW. So i think i'll just spend all season trying to trap'em. Only down side is I gotta drive a long ways. He also told me that the Orting fish hatchery has an officer once a month available to put cities tags on your furs till March. He's not sure but thinks either the first or the last Saturday.

[one more]

That's a Beautiful and well fed female!
Do you have more cage traps?  I would set a lot of them all over.  Some on land as this probably was, with another one right next to it just a few inches apart so they can't reach into the other one.  Make some trail sets on land if you have ones with two doors.   I would also put some in the water.  If you don't have many traps, borrow more.  Roughly, where is the fish pond? 

I think the otter did more exploring this dry summer because some creeks were so low.
Diane

ps.  I see your out of Eatonville.  Is the pond west, and if so how far?  I have a couple traps that haven't done much this season in our creek.  Just for a loan, not selling.

[Moss Back]

Yes it is west of me. About an hour from my house. It's closer to you than me.I'd hate to say the exact place. All i have out their is 2 comstock swim thru's,2 home made jobies just like a comstock,and a 1081. I had 3 other swim thru's stolen last year and just haven't been able to restock. this place is about 40 acres of ponds and cat tails,creeks and channels.I could use probably about 20 more traps cause this place is loaded.... we counted 8 different looking ones besides the one i got. I have a trail set an under water  channel set, one set on an island rite where their feeding next to a massive toilet.I also have 2 set on main trails leading up to their den...

[bugs n bones]

Nice job....

[C-Money]

Very cool! Congrats, and keep us posted!!

[Moss Back]

**UPDATE**   Worse day of trapping ever...... The property owner has been outta town so bird hunters decided to trespass and have a wholesale death party.... This is what i get for checking two hours late. I figured private property i can mark all my traps with surveyors tape right??? Nope.. They stole all but two traps. the two they left both had otters in them.The fur and the traps are toast.... Shot gun shells everywhere. I don't take many pictures out on the waterline cause my phones,yes phones like to go swimming... Wish i could show you the destruction.... Gonna be a slow year, only have three traps to my name now......