Fisher Release 2016

[Trapper John]

Hi Guys & Gals,   
Bruce and I went out yesterday at helped with the release of the Fisher into Washington State.  It started out raining cats & dogs (hard rain) but at release time the sun came out.
What surprised both of us was that everybody (well maybe not everybody but close) came up to both of us and "Thanked Both of Us for showing up" and were glad we did and were looking forward on seeing us.  I personally had four agencies  thanked me.  We had several discussions with people from different agencies that are looking forward to working with WSTA and our members.  Bruce can elaborate a little more about it.  I think this Release Project and our involvement will benefit our members and trappers to come in the future.
JC   

Picture #1 is the transport boxes
Picture #2 is Bruce and the crowd carrying the Fisher up to the release area
Picture #3 is Bruce protecting / watching over the Fisher ........... or maybe just sitting down 
Picture #4 is one of the Fisher backing out, back in, backing out, back in and finely turned around at took off
Picture #5 is Fisher found his opportunity to run for it
Picture #6 is a flash ........ off and running

[pd]

Great work, John.  Holy Smokes, that fisher is huge.

I climb in the Eastern Olympics every summer, and the NPS always asks our crew to watch out for fishers preying on golden marmots.  Those marmots are very big, but would be no match against a fisher---mean SOBs!

[ouchfoss]

Very cool! 
Glad to hear you guys were part of the whole release event. Maybe this will help them realize that trappers aren't the spawn of satan that PETA claims we are. Maybe.......

[Machias]

Awesome photos!!

[Trapper John]

You know what was interesting, we were talking with this person / Biologist and she is monitoring the first Fisher release last year over on the peninsula.  She said that they know for a fact that bobcats and cougar are killing and eating Fisher.  They know that one cougar for sure killed and eat a Fisher.

I guess our next project is to get the Department to allow us to trap cougars.  Its a thought, we just might have to put that in their ears if we are going to reintroduce Fisher into the state and hope they will take.  Or we might have to get a bunch of us guys and have Bruce guide us on where all of those big cats are on the peninsula.   

These Fisher are about 15 lbs or so.  Nice and big but I was talking with this other person (another Biologist) and she said that they are smaller than the Fisher on the east coast.  These Fisher are coming out of BC because of their DNA. Their DNA are close to what use to be hear.
JC   

[Machias]

 

[JakeLand]

  right on how many were released and the sexes?

[jasnt]

Looks awesome! I'd had loved to be there! Thanks for the report.  Would absolutely love a cougar trapping season!!!! We got cougar all over this area. Saw one yesterday and 2 today!

[JakeLand]

Bruce looks like Indiana jones with the holy grail  sitting by the boxes

[Humptulips]

right on how many were released and the sexes?

In this release there were 4 males and 2 females. They are aiming for a total of 40 fisher released this year and 40 next year. They would like  to have about 60% females but they kind of have to take what they can get. This will make 17 for the year so there will probably be at least 3 more releases. They need to be done before the end of February. Possible they might fall a little short this year.
So far all the ones they have released this year are within 15 miles of the release point.
On the Olympics they had 27 different release points but have reduced that to 5 in the South Cascades. In the Olympics the fisher scattered too much which made it hard for them to find a mate come breeding season.
I went mainly because I wanted to see a female. I've turned two out of traps and supposedly they both were males. At least that is what Jeff (guy in charge) thought. I have my doubts after seeing them. Males are supposed to be about twice the size of females but when you see them it is not that noticeable. They have such long fur it kind of masks their true size so it is really hard to tell the sexes apart.
BC trappers are getting paid $500/fisher for their work. About $600,000 for the project so you can see who is at the bottom of the pay scale. Most of the money is coming from the NPS.

[JakeLand]

Are there any reason For them to NOT release them  like between I-90 and highway 2 area ? Or is it not suitable for Fischer? Would be cool

[Humptulips]

If things go well in maybe three years they will start with a reintroduction to the North Cascades. That are extends from Hwy 2 up into North Cascades Park. All on the west side of the crest.
They are trying to keep them away from a lot of traffic if possible. They are just stupid around cars. That has been the biggest mortality factor, getting hit on the Hwy.
I had one run out in the road in front of me and it just stood there in the middle of the road while I drove up and stopped maybe 20 feet from it.

[BOWHUNTER45]

That's cool ... where did they move them from ? 

[DishBogget]

Very cool and thank you for representing us (wsta) I'd love to get involved even if it's just to watch a release , how can I do so?

[Humptulips]

That's cool ... where did they move them from ?

They are coming from West Central BC.

Very cool and thank you for representing us (wsta) I'd love to get involved even if it's just to watch a release , how can I do so?

PM me your email and I could ask Jeff to add it to the notification list for the next release.

[JakeLand]

That's cool ... where did they move them from ?

They are coming from West Central BC.

Very cool and thank you for representing us (wsta) I'd love to get involved even if it's just to watch a release , how can I do so?

     If possible I would love to be involved too ? I'll help in anyway needed !

PM me your email and I could ask Jeff to add it to the notification list for the next release.

[Trapper John]

I have a great idea, everybody that would like to get involved come to the Fur Sale / Spring Rendezvous and also the Spring Board of Director Meeting Camp out.  I'll bet this is going to be on the agenda.  Come on out and meet us.
JC   

[BOWHUNTER45]

Nice ..that's cool stuff !!! thanks for showing !

[JakeLand]

I have a great idea, everybody that would like to get involved come to the Fur Sale / Spring Rendezvous and also the Spring Board of Director Meeting Camp out.  I'll bet this is going to be on the agenda.  Come on out and meet us.
JC   

    I'll be there

[Humptulips]

Yea PM me your e-mail and I will see what I can do about getting you in on a release.

[JakeLand]

P.M. Sent

[JakeLand]

right on how many were released and the sexes?

In this release there were 4 males and 2 females. They are aiming for a total of 40 fisher released this year and 40 next year. They would like  to have about 60% females but they kind of have to take what they can get. This will make 17 for the year so there will probably be at least 3 more releases. They need to be done before the end of February. Possible they might fall a little short this year.
So far all the ones they have released this year are within 15 miles of the release point.
On the Olympics they had 27 different release points but have reduced that to 5 in the South Cascades. In the Olympics the fisher scattered too much which made it hard for them to find a mate come breeding season.
I went mainly because I wanted to see a female. I've turned two out of traps and supposedly they both were males. At least that is what Jeff (guy in charge) thought. I have my doubts after seeing them. Males are supposed to be about twice the size of females but when you see them it is not that noticeable. They have such long fur it kind of masks their true size so it is really hard to tell the sexes apart.
BC trappers are getting paid $500/fisher for their work. About $600,000 for the project so you can see who is at the bottom of the pay scale. Most of the money is coming from the NPS.

 Sorry to be nosy but I was wondering why more males then females I would think the opposite ? Are they not like cats where one male will service as many females as he can find or are males just spread out farther?

[Humptulips]

They are trying for a few more females then males 60/40. Right now they are heavy to males because that is what has been caught. The releases are dependent on what the trappers in BC are able to catch. In the end they will maybe come out with the right number.
Why not more females? Fishers really spread out and I think they fear if there are not enough males they won't find each other and some females will go unbred.
As example in the Olympic releases they just went all over. One fisher went from the mouth of the Elwha to the mouth of the Humptulips before settling down. One ended up near Centralia and they are scattered out all over.
I asked them how thick they would be when recovered but nobody seems to know. Right now they are many miles apart. It is a wonder they ever find each other.

[shootem]

Great work. Thanks to all.

[boneaddict]

Awesome project.   Thanks for being involved with it and reporting to us.  One of my favorite critters.

[CementFinisher]

very cool. Are there any estimates how many have survived from the first batch of releases on the O.P.

[SunnySlopes]

Have any of these biologists looked into what impacts a new/introduced population of Fisher could have on the existing Marten population in an area where they would share habitat and available prey? Would like to hear what those BC trappers have to say about that. Sounds like they're just trying to get Fishers out as fast as possible, who cares about Marten, grouse, etc.

[Tom Reichner]

That's great, John!
I wish that this event would have gotten more publicity prior to the release, and been open to the general public - I would have loved to have been there!

[JakeLand]

Have any of these biologists looked into what impacts a new/introduced population of Fisher could have on the existing Marten population in an area where they would share habitat and available prey? Would like to hear what those BC trappers have to say about that. Sounds like they're just trying to get Fishers out as fast as possible, who cares about Marten, grouse, etc.

Hmmm good thinking but if someone paid me cash to say catch cats,marten or whatever and a way better price then a auction and no skinning fleshing  I would do it ! but I am curious if they did do a study and and hopefully it wasn't the same that did the wolf study

[Humptulips]

Have any of these biologists looked into what impacts a new/introduced population of Fisher could have on the existing Marten population in an area where they would share habitat and available prey? Would like to hear what those BC trappers have to say about that. Sounds like they're just trying to get Fishers out as fast as possible, who cares about Marten, grouse, etc.

Hmmm good thinking but if someone paid me cash to say catch cats,marten or whatever and a way better price then a auction and no skinning fleshing  I would do it ! but I am curious if they did do a study and and hopefully it wasn't the same that did the wolf study

Conservation North West came up with the money for the study. WSTA asked about the effect on marten but pretty much ignored. The fact is they had money lined up to reintroduce them and they were not going to pass that up. Once there is money to keep bios on the payroll the project is probably not going to be derailed plus there was no opposition.
My thoughts were WSTA might as well be engaged because it is happening whether we like it or not.

[JakeLand]

Have any of these biologists looked into what impacts a new/introduced population of Fisher could have on the existing Marten population in an area where they would share habitat and available prey? Would like to hear what those BC trappers have to say about that. Sounds like they're just trying to get Fishers out as fast as possible, who cares about Marten, grouse, etc.

Hmmm good thinking but if someone paid me cash to say catch cats,marten or whatever and a way better price then a auction and no skinning fleshing  I would do it ! but I am curious if they did do a study and and hopefully it wasn't the same that did the wolf study

Conservation North West came up with the money for the study. WSTA asked about the effect on marten but pretty much ignored. The fact is they had money lined up to reintroduce them and they were not going to pass that up. Once there is money to keep bios on the payroll the project is probably not going to be derailed plus there was no opposition.
My thoughts were WSTA might as well be engaged because it is happening whether we like it or not.

  You're absolutely right that way you know what's what and I still think it's pretty cool the only Fischer I've seen eye to eye is in AK from what sign I've seen this year in my area we've got a good population of marten we'll just see if I can convince them to go in my cages

[Trapper John]

That's great, John!
I wish that this event would have gotten more publicity prior to the release, and been open to the general public - I would have loved to have been there!

Tom,
The first release got all of the press.  Everybody and their brother I think showed up.  TV Film Crews, Newspapers & Magazine Companies,a bunch of people and everybody with some sort of a camera.
The second release was December 23, 2015 and who show up I don't know but they said everybody had a hard time getting up there due to so much snow.
This one it was raining hard all the way up and at time of release the sun came out, but there was still 40-50 people there.

Cool looking animals, big and fast runners.  I think they took off fast because they knew two trappers were out there      I'm thinking those Fisher are trying to put some distance away from Bruce and I.

I hope to go to the next couple releases.  This time I'm going to bring a movie camera
JC   

[Trapper John]

Hi Folks,
I find this Fisher Release Program interesting but than again I have always found wildlife interesting.  When I was a young guy I always wanted to work with small wildlife and thought about going to school and becoming a Biologist but than girls came along, I quit school and got married young and became a trapper.

In 1989 I has asked if I could teach a Biologist how to trap coyotes for his Urban coyote study that he was going to do in the Seattle / Bellevue area.  It was a two year program.  I spent about sixty hours with him and we trapped and radio-collared a dozen coyotes and let them go.  At the time I was also trapping  a lot of coyotes for a Rancher so I gave him the carcasses so he could work on blood samples, stomach contents etc.  I also show him what coyote dropping looked like so he had an idea.

He picked up 900 pieces of scat in four months.  Hair doesn't dissolve so they can see what the animal is eating.  In 900 pieces of scat 1/3 of the coyote diet was mice & rats and 2/3 was (Your going to love this) "house cats" all in the Urban / Metropolitan areas.  They also eat a lot of fruit such as blackberries, apples and plumbs.

This fisher research is going to DNA now beside the hair samples.  What is interesting about this research project is that they have a "Dog Handling Group".  Their job is to have the dogs run out and find "Fisher Poop."  They pick it up and give it to the researchers so they can find out what the fisher is eating.  I'm thinking its back to the hair samples.   They have also found several Fisher dead that were killed by predators.  I asked the question to one of the Leading Researchers and here is what she said:

We know that bobcats and one cougar killed some of our female fishers because we were able to get on some of the kills soon enough that swabs of the wound sites contained enough saliva, that the lab could get DNA and identify the predator - kind of a fisher CSI.  Many of the kills, however, were too far gone for us to ID the predator - so some may have been take by coyotes, but we were never able to document that.

I am planning on staying in touch with these people and writing about this Fisher Research in our upcoming issues in our newsletter.  Stay tune I think this reintroduction and release of the Fisher will be a positive issue for us trappers.
JC   



 

[jasnt]

You had to teach a biologist what coyote scat looked like.  

Looking forward to the updates