The comeback of West Virginia’s river otter population has reached a new level.

Wildlife officials now believe the animals, reintroduced to the state in 1984, are now abundant enough to warrant a limited trapping season. If their proposal is approved, Mountain State trappers would first be able to sell otter pelts taken during the 2011-12 season.

DNR furbearer biologist Rich Rogers says the adaptable animals have now spread just about everywhere they’re going to. The only areas currently without otter populations are in the heavily populated Northern Panhandle, a few north-central counties where acid mine drainage has killed off the fish the otters would eat; and the coalfield counties of the state’s extreme southwest corner.