Otter footholds

[kfin]

I posted this on trapperman but dont see all of you over there so i will ask jere also.

My otter trapping has been all connibear so far but i am expanding this year to some dirtholes, blind trail sets and fishtick sets targeting otter. After a lot of reading and video watching i am still debating on what traps to use. I will need to purchase some so can do whatever i want. Would you get coil spring or long spring. I think i am debating between 1 1/2 double jays or 11 long spring.

Thoughts? They will be set on drowners probably most of the time.

[TRapper]

best otter set I had last year was elbow pvc set baited with chunked bluegill and shellfish oil and a duke #1.5 under it...got 4 otters in first 2 checks at the same location, caught total of 7 last year, obviously only kept 3, turned in 3 and let one go

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2013 20:20:45 GMT -6 TRapper said:

best otter set I had last year was elbow pvc set baited with chunked bluegill and shellfish oil and a duke #1.5 under it...got 4 otters in first 2 checks at the same location, caught total of 7 last year, obviously only kept 3, turned in 3 and let one go

What's the easiest way to release them?

The ones that I have caught were held by a Duke 1.5 coil spring.

[Mike Kelly]

Best way to release an otter is with more than one person! Get a catch pole around them and try and get one foot through the loop. With one foot through you have the best control of the otter. This is a lot harder than you would hope, but is the best way to do it yourself.
Otherwise with two peope a tall beaver stabalizer with the neck pinned down works OK.

For the initial post of what size trap to use, I would go as big as you can! I have held a lot of otter in Duke 1.5 while muskrat trapping, and a lot of guys do the same with #11s. But if specifically targeting otter I would be looking into beaver sized footholds.

[coonnfoxtrapper]

A old man told me the best way to release a Otter is a 22LR Send Him Straight to walleye Bass eatin heaven. He release one from a 220 conibear and it Chased him all the way to the truck LOL Ida Loved to watched...From a distance of corse

[TRapper]

I had heard that using a catch pole on an otter can be detrimental to the animal after released, some were dying shortly after due to the cable getting so tight it was breaking the arteries in the neck...

I just tapped that one on the head enough to knock him out, took trap off quick and drew my pistol in case he decided to come at me...he didn't and after a few minutes he regained composure and ran off

[Mike Kelly]

Aug 30, 2013 20:30:24 GMT -6 TRapper said:

I had heard that using a catch pole on an otter can be detrimental to the animal after released, some were dying shortly after due to the cable getting so tight it was breaking the arteries in the neck...

I just tapped that one on the head enough to knock him out, took trap off quick and drew my pistol in case he decided to come at me...he didn't and after a few minutes he regained composure and ran off

Not sure how much experience you have with otters, but I have dealt with my fair share over the years and want to give people the best way I have found.

To get one of the legs through the loop help you control the otter quite a bit better than getting he neck in like most people would try. It is very hard to get the loop on an otter in the first place, so this is tricky. It also prevents any issues with the arteries in the neck. If there are two people it can be done easier by using something to pin the otter down with.

Most of my live otter are killed with bft to the head, and most would be suprised how little it takes. Do not tap anywhere near the nose as it is very easy to kill one.

[dahlyjr28]

Best way I have see. CO came out with a 4X4 sheet of ply wood with a triangle cut in center of one edge. Place the board over the trapped leg. Release trap and back away.
May be the safest was but not ideal. Don't know may that have room to carry a board round in the truck for that.

[onehandmb750]

A good catch all pole with the large plastic coated cable applied properly, do not pull tight with all you got, will control the otter with out damage. You just want to control them, don't use it as a hangman's noose.  Take your time and let them calm down.
My wife videoed my last released otter with her cell phone.  It was a large male and swam away with out any problems.
 
You can also use a milk crate, plastic tub is better if close by in your truck, calms them down more and they feel less threatened.
Dave

[Griz]

Denny Weiss in his demo on Saturday at the Iowa Trappers Convention in Britt said otter's juglar veins are so unprotected and otters fight so hard that a significant percentage of otter handled with a catch pole die within 48 hours of release.  Because of this high death rate after they run off, he recommended never using a catch pole to live release an otter.

[Deleted]

Aug 31, 2013 8:45:39 GMT -6 dahlyjr28 said:

Best way I have see. CO came out with a 4X4 sheet of ply wood with a triangle cut in center of one edge. Place the board over the trapped leg. Release trap and back away.
May be the safest was but not ideal. Don't know may that have room to carry a board round in the truck for that.

I'll just have to make one and put hinges and a locking mechanism on it so I can fold it out. Shouldn't take up much space at all.

Thanks

[hvtrapper]

A handle on each side makes it much easier to control.