The first river otter hunting season in more than 50 years in Pennsylvania has been extended.The Pennsylvania Game Commission says the season is extended because harvest quotas have not been met.When News 8 asked why the river otter hunting season was reinstated, a spokesperson with the commission said:"Otter populations began going into decline in the late 1800s, as widespread water pollution became a bigger problem, killing fish and other aquatic life otters depend on for food. Across the country, it’s estimated 75 percent of the U.S. otter population was lost by the start of the 20th century. In Pennsylvania, they never were completely extirpated. Though they were limited to the northeastern counties. The Game Commission closed the otter trapping season in 1952 to give them necessary protection. Today, streams are cleaner and otters can be found throughout Pennsylvania. Their population still is densest in the northeast, where the season is occurring. Limiting this season to the northeast was the conservative approach. Based on current population trends and improved habitat, our biologists conclude the state’s otter population will continue to grow and expand and can support a regulated annual harvest."Here's the release from the Pennsylvania Game Commission:"OTTER SEASON EXTENDEDFurther extensions are possible; the Game Commission’s Facebook page is the fastest path to updates.Pennsylvania’s first river-otter season in more than 50 years is being extended at least until Wednesday, Feb. 24 because harvest quotas have not yet been met.The season, which is open only in Wildlife Management Units 3C and 3D in northeastern Pennsylvania, began Sunday and had been scheduled to close today.At 8 p.m. Monday, a decision was made to extend the season until Wednesday, Feb. 24.At 8 p.m. today, a decision will be made on whether to extend the season beyond Wednesday, and the information will be included as part of a nightly update on the river-otter season posted on the Game Commission’s Facebook page.Further decisions on possible additional extensions also will be announced as part of the Facebook nightly update, available at www.facebook/PennsylvaniaGameCommission.The Facebook page also can be accessed through a link at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.state.pa.us."

The first river otter hunting season in more than 50 years in Pennsylvania has been extended.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission says the season is extended because harvest quotas have not been met.


When News 8 asked why the river otter hunting season was reinstated, a spokesperson with the commission said:

"Otter populations began going into decline in the late 1800s, as widespread water pollution became a bigger problem, killing fish and other aquatic life otters depend on for food. Across the country, it’s estimated 75 percent of the U.S. otter population was lost by the start of the 20th century. In Pennsylvania, they never were completely extirpated. Though they were limited to the northeastern counties. The Game Commission closed the otter trapping season in 1952 to give them necessary protection. Today, streams are cleaner and otters can be found throughout Pennsylvania. Their population still is densest in the northeast, where the season is occurring. Limiting this season to the northeast was the conservative approach. Based on current population trends and improved habitat, our biologists conclude the state’s otter population will continue to grow and expand and can support a regulated annual harvest."

Here's the release from the Pennsylvania Game Commission:

"OTTER SEASON EXTENDED

Further extensions are possible; the Game Commission’s Facebook page is the fastest path to updates.

Pennsylvania’s first river-otter season in more than 50 years is being extended at least until Wednesday, Feb. 24 because harvest quotas have not yet been met.

The season, which is open only in Wildlife Management Units 3C and 3D in northeastern Pennsylvania, began Sunday and had been scheduled to close today.

At 8 p.m. Monday, a decision was made to extend the season until Wednesday, Feb. 24.

At 8 p.m. today, a decision will be made on whether to extend the season beyond Wednesday, and the information will be included as part of a nightly update on the river-otter season posted on the Game Commission’s Facebook page.

Further decisions on possible additional extensions also will be announced as part of the Facebook nightly update, available at www.facebook/PennsylvaniaGameCommission.

The Facebook page also can be accessed through a link at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.state.pa.us."