"Fishers are vulnerable to over-trapping; even small increases in fisher mortality above natural levels may cause local fisher extinction (Powell 1979b). This vulnerability, in conjunction with habitat fragmentation and large predator poisoning campaigns, may have catalyzed fisher declines (Douglas and Strickland 1987)." P. 3
"De Vos (1951b) stressed the importance of protected refugia populations from which dispersing fisher could radiate into the surrounding trapped areas, and suggested the incorporation of protected areas into fisher management plans. After the development of trapping regulations in the 1940’s, fishers recovered in many areas. It is likely that refugia populations acted as reservoirs from which fishers dispersed after the establishment of protective legislation (Coulter 1966)." P. 3
"The most successful transplants incorporated feasibility studies, the use of box traps rather than cage taps, short handling and transportation periods, sex ratios slightly favoring females, the release of > 30 individuals, and an acclimatization period prior to release (Berg 1982)." P. 4
"Snags and deadfalls are important as denning sites (Leonard 1986)." "Optimum fisher habitat in the eastern United States is characterized by: (1) greater than 80% canopy closure, (2) 50-90% of the overhead cover comprised of coniferous trees, (3) at least 3 levels of vertical stratification, and (4) an average diameter at breast height (dbh) of overstory trees > 38 cm (Allen 1983). However, Arthur et al. (1989b) found that fishers do well in diverse habitats, and that fishers often hunt in brushy second growth coniferous areas. Similarly, Jones (in press) found that fishers in Idaho hunted in young to medium age stands during winter." P. 13
"Because fishers are extremely vulnerable to trapping and over harvest (de Vos 1951b, Hagmeir 1956…), most reintroductions have incorporated suspension of all trapping in release areas." P. 26
"Translocation distance is an important factor in fisher reintroduction success (Berg 1982). In the Northwest, released fishers in Oregon (Kebbe 1961, Morse 1961) and Idaho (Williams 1962b) came from areas of similar habitat in British Columbia, and both were successful, at least in the short term." P. 62
"Trapping season restrictions may be an important factor for reintroduction success. Berg (1982) found that all but 1 successful fisher reintroductions incorporated local trapping season closures to protect the introduced fisher, and several authors have stressed the importance of season closures prior to fisher reintroductions (Bradle 1957…)." P. 63
Conclusions and recommendations: "Fisher reintroductions in areas of suitable habitat but with new and diverse predator complexes may have a low potential for success." "Long distance movements in the breeding season are deeply ingrained in fisher behavior." Reintroduction efforts should "Obtain fishers from a nearby locality…and continue gentle release procedures" p. 65