Who Traps?

[tcoop]

I was just wondering who else on this board traps? I have very little trapping experience, but I'm trying to do a little this year. It is very hard to run many traps when I have to be at work at 7:00.

I got 8 traps out 3 days ago, and I put out 8 more today. That is probably all that I will set. So far I have got 2 coons and a possum. I have got one thing each day, so I haven't been skunked yet. I had a buddy go with me today who has done a little more trapping than I have. He gave me a few more tips. Maybe with his tips and 8 more traps down I can improve my catch.

tcoop

[Mossyhorns]

Its been several years since i have set traps.And it is alot of work and time involved i do remember that.I use to boil the traps in leaves and bark then dip them in wax.Then the skinning fleshing and streching and combing the hides.We got alot of muskrat and coon in them.But it paid alot more back then and seemed like it was worth it when they were paying $60 per good coon hide.I was getting $500-800 bi weekly then.

[tcoop]

Yes Mossy,

It's obvious that anyone trapping now is doing it for the love of the sport, not the $$$ or lack there of.

tcoop

[Bill Yox]

Hi TCoop, I trap too. I set about 8 to 10 sets for fox in my yard. Im too busy this time of year to do much more. So far I have 1 coyote, 1 grey fox and 9 reds. I also caught a huge coon, and unfortunately, a possum and a skunk. I really enjoy trapping. I like what I learn from these buggers.

[tcoop]

I wish I could get the K9's. I have 3 traps set for them, but have yet to connect. I have had a coyote step on the jaw of 2 different traps, one last night and one about 3 weeks ago. There are very few red fox in my area any more. I think loss if cover and increase in coyote population has hurt them.

I have caught 16 coon, 16 possum 1 mink, 1 beaver, 1 squirrel, and had several sprung or pulled free. 4 of the coon were young and released. I feel that is pretty good since I'm only running a dozen traps. I did have 10 more on a different farm but they had to be pulled before the 1st IL shotgun season 11/21/03. I work full time and that is all that I can handle.

tcoop

[Bill Yox]

My set up is simple. Its light residential and farm. Im 5 minutes froma college town. I just use the most obvious crossings. My sets have frozen here the last few nights and the snow shows me what I missed. Im making up some dry dirt mix for re-doing these sets. Ive been running just these 6 sets for a week now. I like Kishel's lures best.

[reddyred]

tcoop, this is for you


http://home.gallatinriver.net/~willemspd/

[tcoop]

Thanks reddyred.

tcoop

[Trapperbritni]

I only do nuisance trapping right now but i've trapped my whole life,Fur is up this year I wish I was Fur trapping now.

[DanMichTrapper]

I have trapped since I was 13 and now am 32 . Not something you can just give up .lol

[BFawlty]

I used to trap alot when I was in school, and with fur on the rise again I may do some hunting. Being in AZ we can't trap on public land anymore the antis got their way. :angry: A lesson there for all, keep an eye on them (antis) and what their up to in the legislative process.

BF

[Tifford]

I use to trap back in my late teens and early 20s but that was many moons ago.

I use to boil the traps as well but just in water and no bark or leaves. Used long black rubber gloves to pull them out of the pot.

Bought a bunch of scent lure to stop the curious animal who wants to take a sniff. Digging, baiting, staking the trap down, looking for new spots, checking the traps and making sure that you don't get your own scent on the area is a lot of work.

Coni-bear(sp?) and leg holds were what me and my brother used.


Some of those critters were smart. It is a lot of work and it helps to be in a good place to make money out of it.

Tifford

[tcoop]

Tifford,

Yes in deed it is a LOT OF WORK. But some how I don't mind it like the work at my job.

Talking about not getting the scent on a trap; One time I had caught a coon in a leg hold trap (MB650 set for coyote). I shot it and it got blood all over the trap. I know blood in the area will some times draw a coyote, but you don't want it on the trap. It was the only trap I had with me and I had to get to work. So cleaned it as much as possible, I went ahead and reset it.

The next morning I had a dead possum caught by the head. Evidently he was trying to dig it out with his teeth. @black

tcoop

[Tifford]

Tcoop,

You are so right about work. I love my job but hate the supervisors looking over my shoulder when they know they couldn't do the job 1/2 as good as I can.

Any day out in the woods beats a day at the office hands down.........well I have to admit payday is kind of cool.

In the woods all worries about bills and responsibilities seem to cease for me.

Tifford

[jmclark]

bfawlty,

I live in AZ and am interested in starting trapping, but I just got done reading the regs. Damn! Where else are we supposed to trap? I guess I can go talk to some ranchers or landowners in the area and try to get permission. What would you recomend? How do I start? What do I use?

jm

[jmclark]

I read the regs for trapping here in AZ. Season goes Nov. 1-Feb. 28 for yote, bobcat, fox, ringtail, badger, beaver, raccoon, skunk, weasel and muskrat. It states you can't trap on state and federal refuges, parks and monuments. But in the actual commission order it states you can't trap on any public land. I am going to order some stuff for this next year and see what I can do. It sounds like fun even though we are so restricted here.