Section 6.1: Beaver and Otter Trapping Seasons and Bag Limits
Statutory authority: Environmental Conservation Law, §§ 3-0301, 11-0303, 11-0907, 11-0917, 11-1101, 11-1103, and 11-1105
Contents:
Sec.
§6.1 Beaver and otter trapping seasons and bag limits.
(a) Open Seasons
(b) Beaver season extensions
(c) Bag limits
(a) No person shall trap beaver or otter except during the open trapping seasons corresponding to the listed wildlife management units, or parts of units. Refer to section 4.1 of this Title for a description of wildlife management units.
(1) Beaver.
| Open season | Wildlife management units |
|---|---|
| Closed | 1A, 1C, 2A |
| November 25 to December 31 | 3R, 3S |
| November 25 to March 15 | 3A, 3C, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3N, 3P, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4J, 4K, 4L, 4M, 4N, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4S, 4T, 4U, 4W, 4X, 4Y, 4Z, 5K, 5N, 5P, 5R, 6R, 6S |
| Last Saturday in October to March 31 | 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6F, 6J, 6N |
| Last Saturday in October to April 15 | 6A, 6C, 6H |
| Second Saturday in November to March 31 | 6G, 6K |
| November 25 to third Sunday in April | 6P, 7A, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7M, 7R, 7S |
| Third Saturday in January to February 15 | 8T, 8W, 8X, 8Y |
| Third Saturday in December to January 1 | 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8M, 8N, 8P, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9C, 9F, 9G, 9H |
| Third Saturday in December to second Sunday in March | 9J, 9K, 9M, 9N, 9P, 9R, 9S, 9T, 9W, 9X, 9Y |
(2) Otter.
| Open season | Wildlife management units |
|---|---|
| November 25 to December 31 | 3R, 3S |
| November 25 to March 15 | 3C, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3N, 3P, 4B, 4C, 4J, 4K, 4L, 4M, 4S, 4T, 4U, 4Y, 4Z, 5N, 5P |
| Last Saturday in October to March 31 | 5A, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6F, 6J, 6N |
| Last Saturday in October to April 15 | 6A, 6C, 6H |
| Second Saturday in November to March 31 | 6G, 6K |
| Closed | 1A, 1C, 2A, 3A, 4A, 4F, 4G, 4H, 4N, 4O, 4P, 4R, 4W, 4X, 5K, 5R, 6P, 6R, 6S, 7A, 7F, 7H, 7J, 7M, 7R, 7S, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8K, 8M, 8N, 8P, 8R, 8S, 8T, 8W, 8X, 8Y, 9A, 9C, 9F, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M, 9N, 9P, 9R, 9S, 9T, 9W, 9X, 9Y |
(b) Beaver season extensions. For any license year in which the desired number of beaver have not been taken during the regular open season or during the first part of a split season provided for in this section, the Department may extend the beaver trapping season in any area or areas of the State. Notice to the affected public of such extension shall be provided by official Department press release or any other means that the Department determines to be appropriate and effective.
(c) Bag limits. Beaver and otter may be taken by trappers in any number during their respective open seasons.