Public comment is now open to the Indiana Natural Resources Commission for proposed changes to the state’s river otter trapping rules.

If adopted, the changes would take effect this November for the 2024-2025 river otter trapping season.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is proposing to open regulated otter trapping statewide but keep all other otter trapping regulations such as the statewide quota, bag limits, reporting and tagging the same.

Indiana DNR values river otters and recognizes their value to the state, according to a news release from the DNR.

“Responsibly managing our state’s wildlife population is vital to our DNR mission,” said Geriann Albers, the DNR’s furbearer and turkey program leader.

“In recent decades, our careful management work has reestablished strong river otter populations across Indiana,” she said. “As we consider incremental updates to our management practices, the focus will remain on how we continue to maintain this strong population now and into the future.”

Public comments can be submitted online at IN.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket by locating the “Submit Comments Here” link in the Rulemaking Docket for the River Otter Trapping Rule. Comments also can be mailed to the Natural Recources Commission Indiana Government Center North, 100 N. Senate Ave., Room N103, Indianapolis.

The deadline for submitting public comments is June 25. A public hearing also will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 25 in the Roosevelt Ballroom at Fort Harrison State Park Inn at 5830 N. Post Road in Indianapolis; you can attend in person or online anytime during tha timeframe. To attend online, go to Microsoft Teams and enter Meeting ID 273 875 645 791 and passcode vtsG9X.

For information about the proposed otter rule changes, visit wildlife.IN.gov/rule-regulation-changes.

Questions about the proposed otter rule changes should be directed to Albers at 812-822-3304 or [email protected].