Ohio's first otter season.

[wormbobskey]

This year we will be able to trap otter in Ohio for the first time. Here in my area we are allowed to trap 3 of them. Can anyone give me some of their favorite sets to catch them. Also any hints on putting up the fur. I put up all my fur every year, but have never even touched an otter before. I have a basic idea on how to skin them, but would like a little more information. Are they hard to flesh, is the hide thick or thin? I just picked up some otter boards and wedges from hunkyboy so I have that end covered. I've also modified some of my 330's into 660's to try and connect of some underwater sets. I have some #4dls's and one #5 bridger coil to use on them as well. Thanks, Worm.

[Bogmaster]

Worm,can you trap dam crossovers?These are great places to carch otter.Also narrow channels and pinch points.
 All I use on my otter is 330s,we have a limit of 4.I spend more time avoiding them ,than I do catching them.I catch several each year in my 330s at my beaver castor mounds.
 Otter are skinned ,pretty much like a mink.Have fun fleshing them,I suggest you get info on otter put up from NAFA.
 Also ,gang set for otter.Catching 2 or 3 at a time is pretty common place.
 Tom

[wormbobskey]

Tom, most of my beaver trapping is on the river and there are no dams or cross-overs. I do make a lot of castor mounds for beaver as well as food lure sets. I remember reading (I believe) in Trapper and predator caller about a set that used a bucket submerged in the water with a whole fish wired in the bottom, guarded by a 220. Have you heard of this set? In your opinion, do you think this set might work?  I have to say though that the river is usually extremely murky and I doubt if the fish, let alone the bucket could be seen. Of course the water clarity changes when it is very cold. I know a lot to otter trapping is to set up blind sets, but isn't there some sort of lure or bait that a person could use to increase thier chances of connecting on an otter? Thanks for the information. Worm

[Bogmaster]

Worm,I have never made an otter set with bait or lure in my life---other than my beaver lure at a castor mound.
 I have seen the writings on the bucket set,just never have seen the need to try it.
 On your rivers,you will find holes onlets and pull outs---these are excellant otter spots.
 Tom

[Dusty Miller]

What brought on the first ottor season?  Were they eating too many fish?

[wormbobskey]

I never heard one way or the other on the why of it, but sightings and incidental catches in beaver sets must have gotten the DNR to consider a season. I have seen them in the Hocking river, but never enough to lead me to believe that they were abundant. Here in southern Ohio there are many creeks, river, streams, ponds, lakes and querries that hold fish so it's a mystery to me  why there aren't more otter than there are. I'm just glad that I will have the chance to try and catch a couple. I was hoping to be able to get more property to trap so that my odds of catch an otter would be greater,  but with gas prices and my work schedule it isn't looking to promising. Worm