OUT of DOORS with BARNEY MOORHOUSE For Reproduction Rights Call Access 1.800.893.5777

A TRAPPER’S TALE – From 1984

Four river otter from Ontario were released at Rebel’s Cove, Missouri on November 10, 1984. Two males and two females were released, an adult and juvenile of each.

Karen Bellamy co-ordinates the live trapping program of otter for the Bancroft District. What might be considered unusual is that Bancroft trapper Vern Cannon found 3 otter (one adult male and two juveniles of either sex) in his live trap. Seasoned live otter trappers in Louisiana and Alberta have rarely found 2 in a trap but never 3. Certainly it must be a Bancroft first. Mr. Cannon’s years of experience and resourcefulness has contributed to conservation by helping to re-establish the otter in Missouri. As a footnote, while the first shipment of otter were travelling to Missouri, yet another paid a visit to Mr. Cannon’s live trap and now awaits shipment. Karen has promised some pictures of the otters and as soon as I get them I’ll include them in this column.

NOTE: Karen fulfilled her promise and provided the photo accompanying this column.

To this date I have not heard of any trapper matching Mr. Cannon’s record.

In 1984 such a column was possible because at that time I had ready access to the then MNR employees. Since the Liberals took office, when Linda Jeffrey was the MNR minister, such contact became most rare as all information must pass through the now MNRF media office which is very competent and must labour under a mountain of requests from people such as Yours Truly. The days of MNRF employees calling to report such great stories are, sad to say, behind us.

As I recall the otter were part of an exchange program. Ontario received 28 wild turkey for its initial re-introduction of the bird to Ontario’s wild.