River Otter Trapping Season Closes as Harvest Limit Reached

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{KXLG – South Dakota} The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) has announced the closure of the 2024 river otter trapping season after the harvest limit of 20 otters was reached on November 12 at 3:30 p.m. Central Time. The trapping season, which began at sunrise on November 1, marked the fifth season in the state since its initiation in 2020.

Furbearer license holders now have until November 13 at 3:30 p.m. Central Time (24 hours since the season closed) to report any river otters trapped in existing traps to GFP by calling 605-353-7319. Capturing river otters by hunting is illegal now that the harvest limit has been reached.

If a trapped river otter is alive, the trapper must immediately release it and notify a GFP representative. If the river otter is found dead in a trap, the trapper must leave it undisturbed and contact a GFP representative within 12 hours. All river otter pelts must be tagged through the eyeholes with a CITES tag provided by GFP within five days of harvest, and the carcass must be surrendered to GFP.

Possession, purchase, or sale of raw river otter pelts is only permitted if GFP tags them or, if taken from another jurisdiction, properly tagged with a tag supplied by the issuing governmental entity. If no tag is issued, other proof of lawful take is required.

For more information about the river otter season, please visit the GFP website at gfp.sd.gov/river-otter/.

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