Otter Questions

[TRAPnHUNT]

With Illinois on the cusp of opening up otter trapping for the first time in over 30 years, I don't know jack about otter trapping other than what I have heard in various forums. I'm still left with a few questions and I wish to get this cleared up and at least gain the basics of otter trapping before this law is ever passed.

Here are a few questions that come to mind...
1) What is the most common bait/lure to use?
2) Although I would most likely use 330's, could I also use leg holds and a drowning system if the situation arises?
3) When putting up otter fur, is it best to case skin or blanket skin?
4) If case skin, what size wire stretchers would I need to use?
5) What books would you suggest me reading up on and or videos I should watch to learn more from?

It's not certain that Illinois will open otter for trapping but I dont want to start off blind nor start trapping otter with a major lack of knowledge.

Thanks for you help,
Ron

[RdFx]

You dont need bait for otter, blind set.  Im not saying you cant catch otter with bait but you dont need it.   Body grips work well for otter from  220-280-330, and ive also caught them in 160 and they were dead on the spot.  Foot holds will work fine and on drowning  cables  as otter fight hard and long if not uthanized.  Case skin otter and use wood boards.   Keep otter damp while skinning and also while fleshing.  Keep fleshing beam wet also. or you will get singed fur.  As far as videos  i believe one by Claudie Taylor or Claud  Taylor from North or South Carolina is good.   I just blind set in bvr ponds, runs, bottom edge sets in thier travel ways and wait.... be patient  ....  good luck

[TRAPnHUNT]

From what I'm hearing from you & others, blind sets is the best way to go. Thanks for the suggests Lee!

[RdFx]

Dont forget to set up old, abandoned  bvr ponds ,no  matter how old, otter visit those all the time and usually use the old bvr lodge or bank hole to reside in while in pond.

[Bogmaster]

 I hardly ever make an otter specific set.With a limit of 2 to 4,dependent on which part of the state I am trapping.I catch most of my otter in my beaver castor mound sets.
 With low limits like we have--I spend more time avoiding catching them--and wisconsin trappers limitations are even greater.
 Dam cross overs and  pinch points will take your otter.Crossovers from one body of water to another ,also work well. I stick with 330s,I have doubled on otter many times and trippled ,once.
 The thing I liked about trapping in Mississippi--no limits on otter, and a very big population.
 The otter population has grown greatly in the last decade--Missiouri went from no season-to no limit ,in many parts of the state.Iowa now has a season, and several more states are on the cusp of a season.
 Good luck to all.
 Tom

[fishdaddy]

otter are easy ive got 7 by accident.this season were allowed to keep 1 now if i can catch one on purpose lol