West virginians here

Are there any west virginians here that trap fisher cat and what county if so is there any public land where i could go to catch one next fall leqgally cause i know there are only 22 countys open to fisher trapping i think and it would be nice if anyone could help me find good fisher trapping spots


And what size trap do you recommend foothold that is

I’m not able to answer too much of your question since I am not from West Virginia. But, here is some BMP’s for fisher trapping.

https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/1915/2105/2121/Fisher_BMP_2014_F.pdf

Entire state is open to fisher trapping but the entire state doesn't have fisher.
Try Preston, Tucker, Grant, or Hampshire.

What do you think would have good public land to trap with a great fisher population

For fisher 1 1/2 coil spring traps are all you need.Set up stands of cedar or other evergreen trees.Edges from on type of woods to another..Waterways.Pince points going from one woods into another..Stone walls with lots of cover are good also.

Panhandle area is where I hear most of the fisher get caught over there on the wrong side of the river.

Yeah whole state is open, season closes Jan 31st. While I have never seen, or trapped a fisher from what I can gather it would be pretty tuff to travel and catch one here in the state. Population is there but it's not going to be like trapping the rest of the fur bearer species. Not sure where you got the 22 county deal I believe I have seen some maps out there with fisher catches in the past

Ok cause i was wanting to go try and trap the panhandle for lik e a week or so but id like to trap a good spot where i could catch one in areas with lots of sign

There are fisher in Hardy county, not a lot but there are some here, have saw 2 the last 2 years

I found fisher tracks all the way south in west Virginia on the VA state line this gun season.

I caught one , just east of cheat lake, while I was attending WVU. Also , bobcats and coyotes on the same tract . WV has a lot to offer, just gotta put your boots on and go scouting. A few days old snow will give a lot of these critters sign away.

John

Had a friend in Elkins who caught one

Most important part of this thread......

I’m in Monongalia County. Come trap Coopers Rock State Forest. That’s where I caught my first fisher, and we see them every year up there. There’s a pretty good population of them in Monongalia/Preston/Tucker counties. Plus, you have the Monongahela National Forest that you can trap too in Randolph/Grant/Pendleton counties.

They’re scattered. Find where they are and set up a draw station. Once they (or it, rather) starts coming, keep it interested until season opens. Catch the thing then go on about your way. Not super difficult. Caught mine in a “cubby” setup. Had photos. Gang set the entrance with 2 traps. Had him wrapped up in both traps. Worked out fairly well.

Ethan,
have ya considered Rich Falers Fisher Trapping book for sale by MINK I LOVE, over on the Trap Shed, to help this endeavor?
Maybe get a loved one to get if for you for Valentines Day gift?
good luck bud

Ethan1234, what county are you in?

Raleigh county glenwhite wv

What county you live in

You’re down by Beckley. I drive through there a good bit when I’m headed to NC to fish. One of my best friends lives down there. I used to come down to Glade Springs every year for a couple days to golf. I’m up North on the Monongalia/Preston/Tucker County line, but I also have a camp down in the Monongahela National Forest right on the Grant/Pendleton County line on North Fork between Seneca and Smokehole Caverns. If you want to come up this way and do some trapping next year, shoot me a PM. I’ll show you around some places that you have a good chance of connecting with a fisher. You’ll have to get a few WMA permits from the state, but they are free. All you have to do is contact the DNR and they will mail them to you. Not sure what you plan on doing for a place to stay, but there are some campgrounds close by that you can either pull a camper to, stay in a tent or vehicle, or rent a cabin. I’d let you stay at my camp depending on what time of year it is, but you’d be on your own there. It’s about 2hr from my house.