2011-12 New Jersey Trapper Harvest, Recreational And Economic Survey
This survey details the demographic characteristics and trapping behaviors of licensed trappers in the state of New Jersey. As of November 15, 2011, 61,840 animals were trapped and killed in New Jersey. Their fur is valued at $586,491. Almost all of the trappers surveyed were male (97%) and a majority were over the age of 39 (72%). The most popular traps were Conibear (body grip) traps (74%) and cable restrains (63%).
Study Summary:
“A 2011-12 New Jersey Trapper Harvest Survey was mailed to 1071 licensed trappers requesting harvest, recreational and socio-economic information for the 2011-12 trapping season. The mean age of licensed trappers as of November 15, 2011 was 46.9 years. Resident trappers are predominantly male (97.8 percent), and live in every county of the state with a tendency to reside in rural areas. Seventeen surveys were returned as undeliverable and 460 responses were received by May 15, 2011 (43.7 percent response). The majority of survey respondents are affiliated with a statewide (53.7 percent) or national (15.2 percent) trapping organization. Trapping is a lifelong activity and respondents had between 3.0-24.2 years of prior trapping experience depending on the target species, and a mean 23.0 years of overall experience.”
“Annual expenditures on trapping equipment and supplies during 2011-12 were estimated at $375,028 (mean $357 per trapper) and overall investment was estimated at $2.76 million (mean $2,630 per trapper). The number of active trappers was estimated at 680, with most trappers targeting raccoon (70.5 percent), muskrat (56.4
percent), red fox (53.4 percent) and mink (28.9 percent). Survey results estimated that 44,749 muskrats, 7,970 raccoons, 5,311 red fox, 1,496 mink, 935 opossum, 296 skunks, 105 gray fox and 7 weasels were harvested during the 2011-12 season. According to mandatory coyote and beaver-otter check station reports, trappers also harvested 711 beaver, 37 river otter and 162 coyote. The total estimated raw pelt value of the 2011-12 harvest was $585,954 based on reported fur sales.”
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/trapping_info.htm