Furbearers and Upland Game Program

Program Overview

The Furbearers and Upland Game Program is responsible for the management of various species of furbearing mammals and upland game, (i.e. snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse, ringnecked pheasants and Hungarian partridge). Activities include, as required, various population and habitat surveys, biological studies, biological collections from harvested species, analysis of harvest trends and liaison with user/interest groups. The synthesis of this information provides the framework for scientifically based decisions on regulatory management of harvested species, input for species and habitat management into the Integrated Resource Management process of NS Department of Natural Resources, and development of policies related to the management of furbearer and upland game species. This section actively promotes continual improvement on wild furbearer harvest tools and techniques. We represent DNR as a partner with the Trappers Association of Nova Scotia in the on-going development and delivery of the Fur Harvester Education Program. We are also active at the national and international level including in the implementation of humane trapping standards, as well as research and development of improved traps and trapping techniques. We are an active participant in the Northeast Furbearer Resources Technical Committee which deals with Regional Furbearer Management issues for the Canadian provinces and U.S. states of northeastern North America and in the Canadian Furbearer Management Committee which deals with national level furbearer management issues in Canada.

Outline of Current Projects

• Trappers Newsletter
• Furbearer and Upland Game Abundance
• Bobcat Ecology
• Cougar Sighting Records
• Wildlife Biology Short Courses
• Pheasant Cock Crowing Census
• Coyote Component - Deer Wintering Area Study
• Furharvester Education Program
• Wildlife Export
• Fisher Translocation and Habitat Modelling
• Hungarian Partridge Winter Census
• Otter Habitat Use and Feeding Ecology Study
• Wildlife Immobilization
• Lynx Population Status & Monitoring - Under Revision
• Lynx Distribution, Movements, and Habitat Use on Eskasoni Reserve
• Marten Population Status and Monitoring - Under Revision
• Effects of Mercury on Aquatic Furbearers
• Nuisance Wildlife
• Diagnosis of Sick or Dead Wildlife - Under Revision
• Fur Harvest Statistics
• Trap Standards
• Marten/Lynx Recovery - Under Revision

Related Links

• Responsible Pet Owners, Wildlife and Traps
• Wild Turkey Introduction Proposal
• Hunting and Trapper Harvest Statistics
• Furharvesters Report Form
• Small Game and Waterfowl Report Form
• Fur Harvesters Course Application Form
• The Fur Institute of Canada
• E-MAIL: Alberta Trappers Association
• NEFRTC Site
• IAFWA Furbearer Resources Task Force Site
• Ontario Fur Managers Federation
• National Trappers Association

Contacts

• Mike O'Brien, Wildlife Manager, Furbearer and Upland Game Program
• Mike Bourdreau, Wildlife Technician, Furbearer and Upland Game Program