Furbearer Trends

The Government of Alberta and Alberta Trappers Association (ATA) asked Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) to assist with the development of a logbook for trappers to record information about their activities and fur harvesting results. This resource-user-derived information provides an opportunity to track furbearer population trends over time at the provincial and natural region levels. The 2021/22 trapping season marked the fifth year of marten data collection and the third year for quota species (fisher, lynx, wolverine, and otter). During the 2021/22 trapping season, despite a continued low number of marten pelts being exported from the province, marten catch for an equivalent amount of effort remained similar to previous years at 0.85 marten per 100 trap nights. The number of logbook submissions increased by 13 logbooks in 2021/22 when compared to the previous year. This is a step in the right direction; however, we hope to expand logbook program participation as the information provides valuable insight into patterns of furbearer harvest and population indices. New logbook-related training resources are being developed for project participants and the format will continue to be adapted to maximize the value of the information for wildlife managers and trappers.

Partnerships

Alberta Trappers Association, Government of Alberta, Lethbridge College

Annual Summaries

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