After a successful fisher trapping season, I discovered that I had received two otter tags. I needed to look into it and figure out of if it was something that I really wanted to pursue. Turns out, otters are the aquatic version of the fisher. They are mean and tenacious which is hidden by their playful nature. If you’re a big trout person, you’re not a big otter person. With no water predators they can have a huge negative impact on a fishery. Turtles and crayfish are also on their menu. On land their enemies include coyotes and bobcats. Also while on dry ground, otters are egg eaters as well as any birds they happen across.  

I also learned that otters are nomads. They are constantly on the move and can have a home range up to 30 miles. By comparison, a fisher may have a 10-to15-mile home range. This fact alone makes otters a tough target because they may only come through a specific location once every few weeks. 

My next step in otter trapping was spending some time with the internet professor: YouTube. I watched and learned from veteran trappers and I liked how they revered and respected the otters. Because otters are so elusive and cagey, every catch was an event and a celebrated accomplishment. Bagging an otter seems to be the apex catch for all trappers. For all those reasons, I decided that I was in and going to try my hand at otter trapping.

The quick and simple version on how to trap on otter is this: put a trap in their path. You can influence this by using sticks and rocks in a stream or pond to funnel the critters into your trap. That’s the theory anyway. The reality is not as easy as it sounds. In a hard rock stream building a barrier or funnel is a time-consuming process. Otters are also so agile and nimble that predicting or trying to influence their path is a tall order. Regardless, I was still in. I’ve trapped a few things in my day but never something as challenging. I bartered away some walleye fillets for some beaver/otter traps. Considering myself an “apprentice” trapper, I was ready to put my YouTube Trapping degree to good use.

I have been at this trapping business for a month and so far, the only thing I have captured are some great photos. The more I learn about otters, the more I respect them just like fishers. My goal is to successfully trap an otter and to lose the title of “apprentice.”

Didn’t get enough Dave this week? Visit “Outdoor Trails and Tales with Dave Beck” on Facebook for photos and video of Dave’s adventures. You can share your own photos and video with him there as well, or by emailing him at dave@piercecountyjournal.news Also, check out OTT content on Instagram @thepiercecountyjournal