The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing updates to fisher and marten trapping seasons beginning in 2026-2027.
The updates would expand fisher and marten trapping opportunities across much of upstate NY.
Working with researchers at Cornell University and State University of New York Environmental Science and Forestry, DEC determined that fisher populations have either increased or remained stable across upstate NY north of Rockland and Westchester Counties.
Notably, recent camera surveys show that fisher occupancy in the North Appalachian Hills and Oneida Lake Plains has almost doubled the threshold needed to sustain an open trapping season.
Fisher occupancy in the Great Lakes Plains also exceeds the threshold for an open season.
And as fisher populations have increased, DEC notes, landowner complaints related to fishers killing poultry, pets, or other game species, has also increased.
In coming up with the new regulations, DEC also cited an extensive survey of over 7,000 licensed trappers to better understand what they want, with quality of fisher pelts and opportunity to be in the field consistently at the top of their list.
The proposals below are the regulations that DEC says best balance the interests of trappers, the general public, and fisher populations.
Specifically, the proposed rule would:
- Amend fisher trapping regulations (season dates, length, bag limits) in parts of NY with an existing season
- Open conservative trapping seasons in wildlife management units 6P, 7F, 7H, 7J, 8A, 8C, 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J, 8M, 8N, 8P, 8R, 8S, 9A, 9C, 9F, 9G, and 9H
- Amend pine marten trapping seasons to align with the revised fisher trapping seasons in the central Adirondacks (wildlife management units 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J, 6F and 6J)
- Allow the use of baited body-gripping traps outside of the fisher season in areas closed to pine marten trapping.
This illustration shows fisher and marten seasons for 2026-2027 based on DEC’s proposed regulation update expanding trapping opportunities across much of Upstate NY.NYS DEC
The proposed regulatory changes aim to ensuring stable to increasing fisher populations while balancing the interests of trappers and the general public.
The 2025-2026 fisher and marten trapping seasons would remain unchanged. The proposed changes, if adopted, would be implemented for the 2026-2027 trapping season
DEC is accepting comments on the proposed regulations through Aug. 17, 2025.
Submit comments to wildliferegs@dec.ny.gov (subject: “Fisher Trapping Proposed Rulemaking”) or to: NYSDEC, Attn: Joshua Stiller, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.
Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com.
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