The trees sparkle with pogonip, we ski, we snowshoe, we take photos of the glories of winter. . . not so much of a festival for the beings on this list! The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) and the entire system that supports and defends the heinous practice of trapping, declares these species and these dates as appropriate for crushing bones in traps; strangling; drowning; slowly dying; being held helpless while freezing, starving, thirsty, desperate and terrified.
Furbearing Animals – Source: Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) Upland Game and Furbearer Seasons
Beaver, Mink and Muskrat: Oct 1 – April 30
Otter: October 1 – March 31 [Carson City, Churchill, Clark, Douglas, Esmeralda, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Storey, Washoe and White Pine counties are closed to otter trapping. If an otter is accidentally trapped or killed in those counties which are closed or outside the prescribed season, the person trapping or killing it shall report the trapping or killing within 48 hours to a representative of the Department of Wildlife. The animal must be disposed of in accordance with the instructions of the representative.]
Kit and Red Fox: October 1 – last day of February
Bobcat season: Statewide Second Saturday in November – Third Sunday in February
Gray Fox Season Statewide: Second Saturday in November – Third Sunday in February
The mayhem is not limited to these animals. The Nevada Trappers Association keeps records of the annual Fallon fur sales. The latest record available, 2020, lists 14 species whose pelts were skinned from their bodies and sold for the recorded prices. This February will be the 2022 sale. In previous years there were several other species’ pelts for sale besides those listed here.
Nevada Trappers Association Fallon Fur Sale Results
February 29, March 1, 2020
| Species | Quantity Sold | Average Price | Percent Sold | High Lot |
| Badger | 21 | $10.76 | 100% | $26.00 |
| Beaver | 88 | $11.59 | 100% | $15.33 |
| Bobcat | 905 | $256.67 | 80% | $1,278.17 |
| Coyote | 1144 | $72.29 | 95% | $387.37 |
| Cross Fox | 1 | $51.00 | 100% | $51.00 |
| Gray Fox | 330 | $16.08 | 100% | $20.40 |
| Kit Fox | 110 | $11.55 | 100% | $15.17 |
| Red Fox | 19 | $17.83 | 100% | $23.77 |
| Mink | 3 | $7.26 | 100% | $7.23 |
| Muskrat | 306 | $2.69 | 100% | $2.96 |
| Raccoon | 9 | $5.55 | 100% | $8.01 |
| Ringtail | 5 | $18.55 | 100% | $26.00 |
| Striped Skunk | 10 | $9.61 | 100% | $10.57 |
| Castor (lbs.) | 13.8 | $72.72 | 100% | $75.33 |
This means one should be vigilant and careful when hiking, especially in the back country, and especially at this time of year. Traps could be set anywhere. Some trappers will attach a shiny attractant such as foil, to lure bobcats. Traps could be hidden under snow. Some traplines run for long distances, with as many as a hundred traps. See the incidents on this website for the variety of horror stories shared with TrailSafe Nevada over the years.
It’s our earnest and heartfelt hope that none of this happens to you or your companion animals. If you do have any bad luck trap experiences, please notify us! As far as we know, NDOW does not keep similar records. In fact, nobody else in Nevada does! So please send us your story! If your traumatic encounter was in the past, that is also helpful for the record, and we hope you share it with us.
Be safe, enjoy these precious brief invigorating winter days, and Happy New Year to all!
And please feel free to download these informational brochures and share them with others!
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