Iowa is worried about climate change. They are afraid the marshes might be too dry for the next trapping season. Gosh darn it no matter how many beavers they kill the streams still seem to dry up!

Outlook good for trappers this season

Iowa’s furbearer season opened Saturday and the outlook for trappers is positive — most species populations are steady, and there are some early indications wild fur pelt prices could be trending up this winter.

The challenge, however, could be that fewer marshes and streams have good water levels.

“Our water levels are similar to last year in some regions, even with a wet spring,” said Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer and wetland biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

“These wet/dry-dry/wet swings within a year can have an impact on aquatic furbearers — otters, mink, beavers and muskrats. But the upland species — bobcats, red fox, coyotes — are much less impacted.”

Oh darn. We killed too many beavers last year and for some darn reason our marshes all seem dry. Why is that? We better trap more next year!

Evelsizer encouraged trappers to do some preseason scouting as marsh water levels vary by location with many either dry or drying by the day.

The furbearer season is Nov. 2 to Feb. 28. Beaver trapping closes April 15.

A regulation change allows youth age 15 and younger to go trapping with a licensed adult trapper without purchasing a license. This change brings trapping in line with hunting.

Hurry you better kill more this year. Those dam beavers keep stealing all your water.