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 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the opening of the trapping and hunting seasons for several furbearers including coyotes, fishers, gray foxes, opossums, raccoons, red foxes, skunks, and weasels. The season for these species will open on November 1, west of the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River, and November 15 in the remainder of the State.

“Furbearer trapping and hunting seasons are important wildlife management tools that help to keep wildlife populations balanced with our current land uses,” said Harry Spiker, DNR’s Game Mammal Section Leader. “These pastimes also provide valuable sustainable outdoor recreation for thousands of Marylanders each year.”

In many counties, trapping season for aquatic furbearers such as beaver, mink, muskrat and otter, opens on December 15, while nutria may be trapped or hunted year-round with a few exceptions on certain DNR Wildlife Management Areas.

Trappers and hunters are reminded that a Furbearer Permit is required for individuals that hunt, chase, trap or pursue furbearers. Individuals who wish to trap furbearers must complete mandatory trapper education requirements unless they possess a Furbearer Permit or Certificate of Trapper Education prior to August 1, 2007. For more information about Maryland’s trapper education program, visit dnr.maryland.gov/nrp/education/trappered.html.

Hunting seasons for furbearers vary by species and region. Complete bag limits, season dates and other hunting, trapping and chasing information can be found online at dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide. The 2011-2012 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping issued with each hunting license contains detailed information about all of Maryland’s hunting, trapping and chasing seasons.