Trapping season looking up

Furbearer trapping seasons are here again, with the beaver, otter, muskrat and mink season opening last Friday and the bobcat, marten, fisher and wolverine season opening Dec. 1.

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say furbearer populations are up, with the exception of muskrat and mink numbers, which, based on FWP harvest surveys conducted after the 2001 season, appear to be down slightly.

"Bobcat populations around the state have increased in part because the rabbit populations have been booming," said Brian Giddings, FWP furbearer coordinator.

Giddings said thriving bob...