Furbearers
The term "furbearers" refers to the group of mammals that either historically or currently (or both) have commercially valuable fur. Sixteen furbearers live in New York. They range in size from the least weasel (about the size of a chipmunk) to the beaver, which may be as large as 70 pounds.
Some furbearers are commonly seen by many New Yorkers. For example, many people are familiar with the raccoon. Others are rarely seen because they occur in lower numbers, are secretive, and may be only active at night. Examples include the bobcat and pine marten. The term "furbearer" also spans across taxonomic lines. For instance, beaver and muskrat are both rodents; river otter and fisher are carnivores.
Where population levels are large enough, the Department of Environmental Conservation has established hunting or trapping seasons (or both) for New York's furbearers. These seasons are strictly regulated, with specific times when hunting or trapping is allowed. The harvest of these species is carefully monitored to help understand population trends.
Several of New York's furbearers causes significant problems for farmers, landowners, and homeowners: beaver flooding fields, raccoons eating corn, skunks digging lawns. The Department provides the public with assistance in controlling damage caused by these (and other) species. The links shown to the left provide much more detail on several of New York's most important furbearers.
More about Furbearers:
- Furbearer Management Newsletter - The Furbearer Management Newsletter is produced annually by the Bureau of Wildlife. It's purpose is to provide an update on furbearer management issues to trappers and others interested in furbearer management in New York.
- Bobcat -Furbearer Profile - Bobcat Fact Sheet
- Coyote-Furbearer Profile - Coyotes live throughout upstate New York. They have been sighted in parts of New York City, and are common in the suburbs north of the City.
- Fisher-Furbearer Profile - Fisher Fact Sheet
- Marten-Furbearer Profile - Information on the physical characteristics, behavior, diet, and breeding ecology of marten.
- Mink-Furbearer Profiles - Mink Fact Sheet
- Otter-Furbearer Profiles - River Otter Fact Sheet
- Raccoon-Furbearer Profile - Raccoon Fact sheet
- Red Fox-Furbearer Profiles - Red Fox Fact Sheet
- Striped Skunk-Furbearer Profiles - Stripped Skunk Fact Sheet
