Rare Fisher Found On A Road In Orchard Park

Have you ever seen a fisher? This photo was taken in Orchard Park after this fisher had been hit by a vehicle on Powers Road.

Full grown fishers are normally 8-13 pounds. This animal weighed in at 14 pounds and 3 ounces!

I was sent this photo via Twitter, and according to the listener that sent this in, this animal was taken for examination by DEC officers.

Because of the COVID pandemic, perhaps you have spent more time in the outdoors? There are many reports of people seeing more wildlife and wildlife that in previous years haven't really been seen by people. Seeing a fisher is pretty rare. I have been hunting and fishing most of my life and have never seen a fisher in person. However, recently, I have been seeing more bears, coyotes and fox. If you have trail cameras up on your property, perhaps you have seen a bigger variety of wildlife these days?

Remember to respect wildlife and keep a safe distance. Contact a DEC official if you see an animal that doesn't act quite right. Because people are spending more time in the woods or the fields, wildlife encounters are more prevalent here in New York.

According to Wikipedia:

Fishers have few predators besides humans. They have been trapped since the 18th century for their fur. Their pelts were in such demand that they were extirpated from several parts of the United States in the early part of the 20th century. Conservation and protection measures have allowed the species to rebound, but their current range is still reduced from its historic limits.