Got the Jul/Aug issue of WCT Magazine and it looks like the 20th WCT Seminar, November 7 & 8, in Lexington, KY has a good lineup of speakers. Anyone interested in checking it out or getting more information about the seminar can go to www.wctmagazine.com/seminar.htm.

It is a different date than we used to have. Are you planning to attend?

I like the Nov date and the location though further away from me is more appealing than Vegas. Not sure I'll make it but looks like a great program from looking at the subscription the other day.


Justin

Me and the Missus are a-comin'. Can't stand not seeing half of this industry when I go to NWCOA conventions.

I went to WCT in 2012. It was a good program. I was thinking about the NWCOA in 2013...so I could meet the other half. For me, it is all about networking....not the speakers.

I just got the magazine in the mail
And im on the cover lol
I would like to go but the dates
for me just aren't going to work,
Darn trapping trips get in the way of
Everything! Maybe next time.

I'm not worried at all. Eric assured me that if WCT ever decided to target elderly women in nursing homes, he would give my cover picture serious consideration.

Was thinking of WCT this year but Beaver trapping season begins Nov.1st and this is right at the start of our most busy season. Middle of winter is best time for seminars for us. I'll have to see you all at NTA Aug 1st.
Don LaFountain

I will be in full swing with fur trapping by that date and coyote work. Way too early in the winter for me to be able to attend.Hope it is a good one for all who attend.

Right at thestart of out fur season. But the first few days, the fur is not prime anyway. So it will not hurt to miss a few days.

I will definitely be going. I haven't yet decided if I like the new dates yet.

At least it is just before the opening of our trapping season.

I am positively amazed at how many of you guys are still into fur trapping. ( Don't get me wrong, I don't disapprove, I'm just shocked ) Our fur season opens in November as well, but we're still doing enough damage work that we would never even consider fur trapping. I don't recall ever getting any service calls for fur trapping; as a matter of fact, some farmers thought that I should be paying them for letting me catch all their valuable fur.

Me too...

We have several jobs(one about 1000 acres that require the removal of anything with fur and four legs) that have a proliferation of muskrats and raccoons. During the open season we are allowed to market the animals.

Last year I averaged 23.50 on raccoon and 11+ on muskrats. With well over 100 of each, you can see why we will wait until the open season to do these jobs. Though I would still enjoy "recreational" trapping if I had the time, it really boils down to residual income on some of the annual contracts we have. It works out for our clients too, as we can give them a bit of a discount on pricing if that is what we need to do to get the job.

Some people might argue that it takes too much time to put up the fur, but I've got that down. Fastest timed raccoon skinning was 1 minute 41 seconds and to tell you the truth, that was my only timed skinning. My daughter just wanted to see how fast I could do one. Usually I take my time and it is 3-5 minutes. Takes about another 5-6 to scrape it.

If you arent a go getter fur trapper wanting to make some $$ its best you stay with where you can make your best dollar.

I can make as much $$ and more on a good fur market fur trapping in 3 months then in the ADC business on avg jobs in the same period of time. It is also more enjoyment, challenging and rewarding for me also. I love the outdoors and have been a fur trapper and live market trapper most of my adult life.

More work for sure field trapping but nonetheless far more enjoyable. Nuisance work is good but fur trapping is who I am as an individual. I can do both very well still and it works into my lifestyle and way of life.

Full time ADC and Pest control operator, full season fur trapper and lure maker.Who can say that is what they do for a living these days not many.I am one of a dieing breed of men. Its a full lifestyle no doubt for me but I wouldnt change it for the world until the body or mind gives out then its over.

My employee can do what is needed to be done with work related calls while I am trapping fur.We have alot of work into late October and early Nov. then things slow way down for us typically.So fur trapping is what I do thru Feburary.

While I'm not as skilled at fur trapping as some like Bob, I will say this; I can make more in one good day of ADC work than I could in a normal week of fur trapping.

Now don't get me wrong, I used to take my vacation the entire month of November and although I didn't break any records, I caught 525 muskrats, 90 raccoon, 40 red fox, and 30 or so mink, in my best years. I absolutely loved fur trapping and I thought that nothing could ever take its place; I was wrong.

It didn't get lazy; I just got old. That's something that everyone of you is going to have to face. I think that God really smiled on me when He allowed me to get into this business. I'm still making an occasional dollar,, being productive, and having more fun than a man should be allowed to have.

At todays market prices your posted seasons catch would generate around $9000 plus depending on your put up skills. Not a bad seasons fur check for a month.

Ha, I said in my best years. Foxes all live in the cities now that the coyotes are here. Since last year's drought, I've seen precious few muskrat, ( That will change after this year ) I could probably still hang 30 mink and a hundred coon though. Nobody fur traps much around this area anymore.

If you guys saw some of the raccoon that I cage trap and relocate in November and December you'd send me to the psychiatrist for sure. The coon hunters must love me though. Most of those are moved from non-shooting areas to spots that can be hunted. If the hides ever pay more than what I get for cage trapping them, I'll probably start skinning again. No I won't; I'll just raise the ADC price again. I love telling me how much I'm going to get to catch animals. I am way more generous than fur buyers are.