IN most regions of Ohio, hunting and trapping seasons for fox, raccoon, opossum, skunk and weaselruns through Jan. 31.

The trapping season for mink and muskrat runs from now through Feb. 28.

Ohio's beaver-trapping season runs from Dec. 26 to Feb. 28.

There are no daily bag limits or restrictions on hours when furbearers may be hunted or trapped - with the exception of river otters, where bag limits are dependent on the county where the trapping occurs.

Otters that are accidentally captured, either in excess of bag limits or in closed counties, must be released unharmed. Otters that cannot be released must be turned over to the Division of Wildlife.

Forty-three counties will be open for river otter trapping from Dec. 26 to Feb. 28. Full details of these counties, as well as checking and permit requirements, may be found in the Ohio River Otter Trapping Regulations guide.

Beaver trappers are advised to watch for otter signs and modify set placements where necessary.

The Ohio State Trappers Association and the Division of Wildlife have published a guide on how to recognize otter signs and use various otter avoidance techniques while trapping for beaver in areas closed to otter trapping. A copy of the publication and reports about observing otters in Ohio can be ordered by calling 800-WILDLIFE.

A fur-taker permit is required in addition to a valid Ohio hunting license to hunt or trap fur-bearing animals, except for coyotes, which may be hunted or trapped year-round without a fur-taker permit.

A special Division of Wildlife permit is required to trap beaver and otters on state public hunting areas.

Additional hunting information is contained in the 2008-09 Ohio Hunting Regulations brochure, available where Ohio hunting licenses are sold, on the Internet at www.ohiodnr.gov, by calling 800-WILDLIFE or at the SWCD office.

Ohio is among the nation's leading producers of raw furs. In 2007, there were 89 licensed fur dealers and 16,000 licensed fur takers in the state.

(Vicki Kohli is an education specialist with the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District.)