Tribune staff reports

The public can comment on a proposal that would open a trapping season for river otters in Indiana.

A public hearing, conducted by the Indiana Natural Resources Commission, will be at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Plainfield Public Library, 1120 Stafford Road.

The proposed rule changes include:

Opening a trapping season for river otters that includes strict limits on the number of otters that could be taken; when, where and how otters can be trapped; and mandatory registration of harvested otters. A temporary rule would be implemented annually by the director that would specify the counties that would be open to trapping and the statewide quota.

Allowing the sale of river otters, including their hides and parts, and squirrel hides.

Making changes to fur buyer license requirements, including changing the reporting date and specifying requirements for the proper disposal of carcasses.

The rule changes can be viewed and public comments can be submitted to the NRC at in.gov/nrc/2377.htm. Comments also can be sent to Natural Resources Commission, Indiana Government Center North, 100 N. Senate Ave. Room N501, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

The deadline for submitting comments is Dec. 11.

All comments sent to the NRC regarding the rule changes will be provided to the commission members and Department of Natural Resources staff and will be publicly disclosed and searchable on the Internet and in a paper docket as part of the final report.

The final report is expected to be presented to the commission before rule changes can be voted on at the commission meeting in January. After final adoption, the rule changes must be approved by the attorney general’s office and governor’s office before they take effect.