FURBEARER SEASON KICKS OFF NOV. 13

Furharvesting is an effective tool in managing furbearer populations and preventing damage sometimes caused by furbearers

PRATT – Often an underutilized opportunity, furbearer season isNov. 13, 2013 - Feb. 15, 2014. A Nov. 13, 2013 - March 31. Coyotes may also be trapped with a furharvester license and hunted with a hunting license.

total of 14 furbearer species may be hunted and trapped, including badger, bobcat, gray fox, red fox, swift fox, mink, muskrat, striped skunk, and weasel. The beaver and otter trapping season is

Residents 16 and older may purchase a resident furharvester license for $20.50, and residents 15 and younger may purchase a junior furharvester license for $12.50. Persons born on or after July 1, 1966, must successfully complete a furharvester education course approved by KDWPT to purchase a furharvester license or hunt, run or trap furbearers or trap coyotes on lands other than their own. A nonresident furharvester license is $252.50.

The season begins at noon on opening day and ends at midnight on closing day. New this year, the 100-otter season quota has been removed; however, the two otter per trapper season limit is still in effect.

Otters, bobcats, and swift foxes must be tagged by KDWPT personnel within seven days of the end of the season, and lower canine teeth of otters shall be submitted at that time. Tags should be kept with the pelts or mounted specimens.

All traps, including snares and deadfalls, must be tagged with the user’s name and address or department-issued KDWPT number. Traps must be tended and inspected at least once every day.

For information regarding trapping on public lands, consult the 2013 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary, or visit ksoutdoors.com.

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Animal killed by coyote hunters verified as wolf

 (Photo credit: ArranET)

In December, coyote hunters in southwest Kansas killed an animal they thought was too big to be a coyote. The large male canine weighed more than 80 pounds, more than twice as much as a large coyote. The hunters called the local Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) game warden, who contacted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) agents. The USFWS confirmed through tissue testing that the animal was a full-blooded Great Lakes gray wolf.

Because wolves are still on the Threatened Species list for Kansas, the matter was turned over to the USFWS. Agents then took tissue samples for testing. While uncommon, there are wolf-dog hybrids available through the pet trade, and many of those hybrids are indistinguishable from full-blooded wolves by appearance.

This is the first documented wolf in Kansas since 1905. There have been several wolves killed in Missouri, most recently this past November when a deer hunter shot what he thought was a coyote. That animal, which tested as a full-blooded wolf, weighed 81 pounds.

Officials would still like to know how this wolf ended up in Kansas. However, questions about its origin may be difficult to answer.