Otter trapped on Willy

[cimfl]

I was doing some bank fishing last night on the Willy in the Salem area, and came across a rather sick sight. There washed up between two boulders was a full-grown male otter. His head was firmly wedged in a trap obviously set just for the purpose of securing his type. This was no accident, the only thing the people responsible for this didn't count on was the trap being pulled loose from its anchoring spot. Makes you wonder how many of these critters are being taken. Please correct me if I am wrong, but trapping these critters is not legal, correct? Sad to see. :shrug:

[LowerRiver]

Actually, I believe it is legal certain times of the year. If I remember correctly it is not this time of year though :shrug:

[cimfl]

I just made a call to the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Trapping season ends March 15th. I have filed a report to OSP also.

[Dave Smith]

Yeah, I don't mind the river giving up a few otters, but the season is set so the survivors can reproduce- it was over weeks ago. Sounds like maybe it was a connibear trap set for Nutria. An otter is strong enough to pull the trap free. In some cases Nutria can be trapped year-round. they are a real problem. Might be what happened. Dave

[Hunt'nFish]

Yea, I was thinking the same thing. incidential but sad. River Otter are pretty cool to watch. If it were a legal trap set by a legal trapper it should have the brand marks of the trapper. If not it's either not an accident or it was meant for nutria. I believe anyone trapping otter intentionally (legal or not) would have staked it down VERY WELL. That's why I think this was an accident.
Sad but it happens,
Hunt'nFish

[beaverpeeler]

Besides being a fisherman I'm also an otter trapper. The nutria scenario is one possibility. Another possibility is that a trap was inadvertantly left out when the trapper picked up his line and then (the trap) finally connected some weeks later. With all the flooding earlier in the year losing a trap can certainly happen.

An otter is a powerful animal, and even experienced trappers will upon occasion lose a trap and animal to broken wire or some other anchoring mishap. I believe it is pretty rare though.

You did the right thing to report to the OSP and they in turn will investigate what happened. The trap should have a brand and the registered owner will be contacted and appropriate action taken.

[Sublime]

Yeah, I see a few of those when I'm out fishing on the Willy in Salem, also. They are fun to watch. Its unfortunate about them getting tagged by other traps.

[RODACTION]

For 2 summers now when I take the kids to the Samtiam for some summer fun I put in at Buena Vista (Willamette River), many times there is a guy there taking his boat out. He is a trapper (the kids call him trapper Bob) His boat has Otters, Mink, Nuetreas, and other river critters laying in the bottom. It is amazing to me the work put in for what he gets for a pelt....$2.00 for some, I think the Otter is the prize at like $12.00, but I don't recall. It is also :sick: I hunt and fish but these trapped critters don't lookk to good dead !

[Wreckless]

Rodaction - If I read your post correctly, this guy is trapping during the summer? NOT legal, furbearers are only open during winter months when their fur is prime. Nutria don't count but the rest are furbearers with seasons....If I misread,OOPS :redface:

[hawg boss]

For 2 summers now when I take the kids to the Samtiam for some summer fun I put in at Buena Vista (Willamette River), many times there is a guy there taking his boat out.



Trapping season is not open during summer for any furbearers except nutria,possum, and coyote. Please notify the athorities and give a license plate # if you see him again. This man is a THIEF, if what you say is true. It is no different than poaching big game. Fyi Otters are worth up to $85 each.