Since I’m sitting here pondering what all needs done still I figured I mine as well start the PA trapping thread. Also while I sat here I realized I haven’t done a single thing except get some coils for using on rats and mink this year. I really realized how far behind I am. I’m planning on taking the traps to the car wash this weekend and at least pressure washing them. Then hopefully next week I’ll be able to at least logwood dye and maybe wax or FMJ them not sure which route I want to go yet. Still want to order a dozen more #3 for yotes this year and wanted to pick up a dozen dogproofs. Yote populations really up this year around here and planning on going hard starting end of October. Where do you all stand?

ready to chase yotes,actually way,way ahead of trapping season and winter.huntin NY and PA archery right now and will probably work some stink dog sets in after the rut or some success,whichever comes first.GOOD LUCK to all my fellow PA guys and if any of ya get up my way be sure to stop in. WADERMAN

I'm getting ready.
I have some brand new traps ordered and also making up some all new gear. the last I trapped was around 1986, and it seems like there are so many things that have changed.
One thing for sure is that the equipment has made huge changes, mostly for the better.
I won't be trapping until after Christmas and after flintlock deer season when I will have the mountain to myself again.
Every year in hard winter I see lots of pairs of Coyote tracks running the old logging roads and "pissin and scratchin" goin' on. I assume they are paired up and getting ready to mate.
Since I am on the mountain every day I may as well run some traps too.

"Since I am on the mountain every day I may as well run some traps too."

Amen to that.Be prepared to use freeze proof methods,know what stakes or anchors work well in your area and plan on using gland lure and urine quite a bit,that time of year.Good luck.

Yup................
Been asking lots of questions on here and I hope I am not wearing out my welcome with the more knowledgeable forum regular visitors.
I already have (5) 5-gallon buckets full of anthill dirt that is dry as a popcorn fart.
I have full control of a complete machine shop so I can fab anything I need.

Am ready.
But still finding things to do.

I'm just hoping for free time.My business is over booked.My 10 year old is wanting to learn how to catch coyotes and fox.I prefer having at least 40 sets in the ground,but think I'll have to break it into 2 separate lines so I can check before work.Just happy my son wants to join me

That is awesome!!! I hope someday when I have children they will be eager to come along with me.

I'm ready. Just need more time!

I am in the same boat you are. All I have done so far is acquire more mink coils.

Putting in an order Monday for some supplies from Minntrapproducts. Mostly some new baits lures swivels and etc and a dozen #3’s. Still debating on using FMJ or wax.

Mostly ready just need to scout some new areas

I have all my traps waxed. I am however going to place an order that will include some mink traps. So, I will say I am at 80%. That includes all my water traps. I have some work to do on them... BTW I am a newb to ALL of this.

Here is hoping for the best!

Jerry Jr.

Ready to roll, just gotta wait until season opens. Planning for some time off work to trap and time with my granddaughter who just loves catching fur! At 6 years old, and her third season (a weekend here and there for her ) she is really looking forward to it. Me too!

My traps have been adjusted and dyed. They are hanging in the garage. All my stakes were cut months ago and the wood dried out. This season I will be using 2 box traps to try to catch some coon and anything else that might enter. I caught 4 groundhogs up in our melon patch in those box traps. I am only allowed to use box traps on land here on our property. Mom's rule. She feeds every stray cat that stops by but if I ever caught one of them in a foothold trap my trapping career would be over. A friend of my dads came over and we walked around our property and he pointed out a few places I might be able to catch some fur in my box traps. We don't have many trees on our land so there might not be many coon. He felt I would probably catch opossums and maybe a skunk. The pond and 2 streams seem to have about the same number of muskrats in them as usual.

How many are setting the first day?

i think im ready? im never ready enough. still gotta do my cinder block run

I have everything dyed and waxed.

Still fiddling around with little tid bits.

Will be setting just before Thanksgiving

I’ll be setting the first day on some property I have permission on in pa. Can’t wait!

I've got three weeks off in December, pretty pumped up about having some time to put in a little line. Just have a couple more traps to dye, and a half dozen need waxed.

I’ll probably be setting more so areound the end of October.

I usually start around vetran"s day.

Started my list of supplies I need. Had my traps organized since probably may/June. Just gotta finish prep and a few mods then good to go! Last year took my son and daughter out on the line, this year my son is participating in the mentored youth program. He can't wait to get back in the stand!

Not in PA but will be setting next Sunday. Coyote sets, which will pick up a fee boar coon. Last year the state moved the coon season to coincide with opening of coyote Fur buyers don't want them big blue coons but I do

Can't wait to start setting First yote of the year gets my juices flowing

Forgot to add. Everything ready to go with the exception. Of 2 dozen more drags for January that I bought still need to to finish but got to get more chain. But not needed for a few more months

I'm definitely setting first day. Can't wait to get after these yotes. This last week I saw a coyote two different days in the middle of the day. They are everywhere

Where are you in Pa.?

Waxed Dirt was made back in August - All traps dyed & Waxed - started scouting 2 wks ago still have some to do - ordered supplies back in July - been in the archery stand twice so far but will now wait until Nov. 1 - 5th - I'll start setting K9 Nov. 6th and some coon following Monday.

Hello fellow Penn's new to t-man and never seem to be ready so much to do. I have meet a few of you hern and Berky I meet through my working with Dutch in the fur buying bus. Fill them boards boys.

Dry run next week to drill holes, place stones and landowner PR.
Some bait to prep yet. Chomping at the bit to roll.

What’s all you guys choice.....FMJ or wax. Still can’t make my mind up. I’ve read so many pros and cons fromFMJ

Very excited for this season, all I've been thinking about since January! Hoping to get onto 1 new property this year to allow me to start earlier. Not able to access my other trapping grounds until after rifle season (very protective of their deer).

Also going to be making a few trips up north to Sullivan and Bradford Co's to try to get one of the bobcats we see and hopefully a couple dogs. Got some new traps, different baits and lures, few new tricks, and hopefully a bunch of fur.

Will also be doing all my own furs this year for the first time, so I'm looking forward to that challenge. Hope I don't mess them up too badly.

Any trapperman.com member needs to brush up on fur handling, PM me.
From Skun'n to Flesh'n to Boarding
This would be a 'how to' thing. Hands on work where you may be having a problem.
Free, fur handling instructions help.

Bring a couple of critters along. One for me to do/show you how, then one for you to do.
Comb & Clean critters. Freeze critters (skun or whole). Then we can set a date/time to stop by when things slow down.

I live outside Selinsgrove, Snyder County.
Near Rt. 11 & 15 or Rt. 522 or Rt. 35

PM me

I wish you were closer Hern- you would probably not be so generous because I'd likely never leave.

I'm going to trap this season- really looking forward to chase the elusive musquash maybe a fitch or two as well. Lost some ground as I do every year and havnt gained any- but I'll no doubt be back to 0300 wake ups in no time at all...

...not be so generous because I'd likely never leave.
lol. Hey, I mean to bring a couple of critters so I can show you 'how to'. (not your season's catch total) lol

Any of you double staking with 24” rebar for yotes? I was always taught bigger is better, but I’m thinking of getting shorter stakes than the 30” ones I’ve used

I use super stakes for my land trapping yotes/fox.To answer the other guy,I only use wax.To many horror stories about FMJ for me to chance.

dnb36, I use 18" rebar, double staking. I think I could go shorter but that's the length I have.
I also use drags.
But mainly use 12" earth anchors.
Walkercoonhunter made me the anchors.
I then attach cable & chain to complete earth anchor.

These are 12" long, but sometime I leave and inch or two of chain above ground. Holds anything in Pa.






I make double loop cable for double staking...

I mainly use 16” wolf fangs, but I have one area I trap that’s just super hard clay, rock, and roots. It’s a pain driving an earth anchor.m so I double stake, but even then it’s a pain. Drive it down 4 inches and bang hit a rock. The long stakes is just what I was shown way back when I first started and it works, but I was thinking if I drop length I’d lose some weight and get some space since it’s a hike in spot. I’ve thought about drags but ehhhhhh... I’m sure they’d work since the area is an old clear cut

I really havent had much time to think about trapping, just moved into a new place and just found out i have a baby on the way, and working my tail off, prob wont run many traps this year.

Congrats on the baby tapper24. Made an order today to get some prep done...better late than never I guess. I’m planning on setting a few coyote traps first Sunday. Then after archery season it’s all out till rifle.

Thanks ducksnbucks36, well i did set 4 traps out and low and behold i seen a big gray fox while setting. The 1st one i ever seen in my life. He was on the logging road where i now have 2 sets on that road so hopefully he is waiting for me tomorrow.

I put a few sets out, only because I couldn't wait. Picked up a "road trapped" grinner and he was no where close to being ready for fur- skin was paper thin and dark. 0 fat on this guy. Nowhere near ready for the fur shed.

Might do some catch and release for awhile. Will see how it goes. Couldn't wait though, had to at least play some scrimmages before the big game.

How did everyone do this morning? Anyone get some fur for the shed?

Only a big female skunk- almost all white (what a way to re-learn skinning... trial by fire!).

Lots of fat and by my estimation, she's prime.

Had a canine print in a trap bed, but missed the pan.

Glad to be back in the woods.

holdin off a bit, supposed to get dumped on by some rain the next day or 2.

I swear skunks are significantly more active around here in a light rain than any other time. Caught my skunks last year on similarly drizzly nights and usually see an increase in dead ones on the road the morning after a rain.

Maybe it's just coincidence.

Been laid up after surgery. Need to get to it. Going for Cats and Fisher. Venango County. Any suggestions on Baits and Lures? Good Luck to everyone!

my top 3 choices for bait would be beaver meat,beavermeat,and bloody beaver meat.

I usually don't like to argue on online forums, but I would strongly suggest the meat from a beaver.

No argument here. Would be willing to buy some of you guys.

Caught a couple coon this morning, one a big boar that was loaded with fat. Hoping a canine is waiting for me tomorrow.

3 reds an a coon today for me today. Hopefully a coyote will be waiting tomorrow!

Hey TJC- What quadrant of the state are you in and what primeness of fur are you seeing in the reds?

I haven't set any canine specific sets out, as I'm wanting to get prime fur as much as possible. TIA and nice job so far! Keep up the good trapping!

Using a collapsible Cubby for Cats. Any size restriction on entrance? Or what size Cubby would you recommend? Using foothold in front'

You can't trap cats in PA until mid December. You need to have a permit to do so. All of the regs are on the Game Commission site: http://read.nxtbook.com/pgc/huntingtrapping/20172018/index.html#traps_trapping

As far as techniques, search this forum. There is a ton of information already posted here by successful cat catchers.

I only had 4 sets out but today i had 2 coons waiting for me.

I am in central. I didn't flesh any only skinned and put in the freezer. The big male I caught looked good, the other two were not quite there yet. I caught a young coyote today. Boy was he a wet dog!

Nice! Thanks for the reply.

Getting ready to flesh out a big boar coon. Will see what condition he's in. Lots of fat, hoping for some white skin (but I know it's early for coon).

Haven’t even set because of the rain and I wish I would have with this big cold front coming through now. Traps are going to be filled tomorrow for this who have them out.

That is what I am hoping!

That is if my sets aren't too wrecked. We got some crazy rain and wind and I wasn't about to provide touch ups in it. Let's hope the peat moss and lure do their jobs!

Critters were moving some last night. Had 2 coyotes and 3 fox. Still have 3 more farms to check over my lunch break, so who knows maybe more!

Was on a PA Trapping supply site. The site had a lot of pictures of successful Trappers. I thought I saved the site. Didn't. Any help on the name would be great. Can't seem yo fin d it now. Thanks!

Got my first the second day, working a short line, very new

2 coons and a possum so far. Good luck guys

Anyone have wax dirt for sale? My go to guy isn't making any. Thanks a Bunch

I would be willing to buy some too......

ttt

Bought some from Trapper Art. Pretty Cheap!

Johnson fur in Enola sells it.

Caught a opossum today and the last two days i have a fox and coyote work the same hole....

Set two K9 sets after climbing out of the stand this morning and before I left for work. Will more than likely set some more come Monday.

get out that waxed dirt guy's,all we needed to end our drought was trapping season to get here.playin it by ear now,would love to start but not ahead of or during 4 or 5 inches of rain.good luck and be safe out there.

Waxed Dirt won't help, forget Peat Moss with that much rain, pcr2. Flash floods predicted in Pa. Sunday/Monday.
Trail sets & grass/hay covered sets shouldn't be affected too much. Wished we could set Cables all season long.

just noticed they have a flood watch in effect for tomorrow all ready here.that's gonna be interesting as the 2 rivers in my back yard are both at historic lows.

Thought about setting a few but now glad I waited.
I usually wait until after archery to end
But the fur is not primed up all the way.
So waiting and waiting. About chewed through the bit.
Good luck.

This rain blows. Last time I checked the weather app it wasn’t suppressed to rain till Wednesday now it’s every day. At least the creeks in Erie will hopefully come up to go do some steelhead fishing this coming weekend.

forcast definately put the whoa girl on me getting started for another week at least.guess i'll just have to do more hunting..

Jerry is a great guy. He taught me a lot just from asking him questions for 5 minutes. A lot of years of trapping knowledge and very nice.

Well, got the permit, but not the season yet, so took a few pics and sent this guy on his way. Couldn't bring him home, but probably the neatest thing that happens to me during trapping.

Dirthole in a powerline with Jack Mack down the hole.

Very cool what WMU are you in

I've caught 4 coons, 1 possum so far.

Beautiful cat. Cool even if it was a C&R.

Thank you for posting what type of set, location, and bait. Got a permit this year so going to try hard for one.

Set yesterday.
A couple pics from the first check.

Been pouring rain all week here. Wanted to go set but looks like I’ll be waiting till end of archery.

3C

First yote of the season this morning in Blair county. I can’t figure out how to post a pic though. Any suggestions?

Haven't set a trap yet but I Picked up a road kill coon yesterday was a xl coon slate color still need a couple more weeks to prime up here in 2e

I caught a coon this week and took it to the shed. Skinned fleshed and boarded. After 2 days of drying, the leather don't look far from ready. It was lighter than slate but not completely cream either. BTW, it was a xl Boar.

Lots of rain,lots of possums, slow going, but starting to get a decent line out.

Today, first Red double of the season. First day check.
Female had mange. Male was in fine shape.
Snyder County
Also had a ride-along. Put him to work making a few sets. Enjoyed your company, Nate.

Was great to be able to ride along and learn some more from you. I definitely enjoyed the day and hope you have some more luck over the next week. Will catch up when I get back from deer camp. Appreciate the opportunity again.

All nice catches.Way to go.

Got a red and gray the past 3 days. My first ever k9's. First fall trapping. I did a very small line in January in the end of last season no luck. Having a ton of fun!

Paskinner, That's got to be the ugliest grey fox I ever saw!

We caught and released another of those ugly gray fox today!
Time for a season in our WMU.

In my area we have a season but by the time that short season gets here, most of them have spent part of the fall on a leash (catch pole) and are a little educated. lol

Mornings catch:


Caught this nice little stone in a cubby set baited with Fatal Step. Made a decent catch circle for such a small stone, surprised me.

Had a little trouble skinning and fleshing it, but it came out with only a score or 2.

Question is: What size board should this go on? Can't find anything on NAFA or FHA for standards. (I don't want to overstretch it). TIA.

started today - planned on setting 4-farms but got sidelined by sleet and rain at 2:30 - instead got 2 farms set - spent some time BS'ing with some landowners which I believe is important - I thought about my relations with my landowners, most I'm very friendly with - many make me feel like I'm apart of their operations - felt great being out there starting the season!

This set used to smell like a bobcat. Now it smells like a grey fox. Happy morning.
(dirt hole, powerline, JackMack, bobcat urine straight from the source)



As my son stated: You gotta love it when the toes are still touching the pan.

Too funny RKG, gave me a nice chuckle this morning.

Nice gray, RKG!

Nice rock

For the right price, it could be for sale.......

Nice catches yourself PAskinner!

I hope you are no where near me, cause it looks like you're cleaning everything up. Well done!

Set some more k9 sets yesterday, and had a k9 make a crater at my one dirt hole set stepping an inch from the pan. Had a set right beside that I was told the farmer fixed his brush hog and needed to test it. So he drove down the edge of the golden rod ultimately running that set over. Added a little more subtle guiding pounded what was left of the hole deeper and rebaited with BHM and Weisers Horse meat predator bait.

Naw, I'm mostly driving around checking empty sets and calling it canine trapping. It could be worse, at least I'm not fleshing a bunch of greasy coon, lol.

Caught my first ever cat this morning. Set the trap yesterday, had this nice female waiting this morning. I’ve been driving around checking empty sets myself so this was a pleasant surprise. More sets going in this weekend, hopefully the K9 sets start connecting.

That is a nice size cat right there. Never caught one myself. That is awesome good job man!

Nice going on the bobcat

lets hear the release story on the cat haha

I went and got my dad who is my neighbor, used my catch pole and had to grow a large set of cahones. Next time I’ll use a Rubbermaid tote with a notch. I like my pretty face too much to use a catch pole by myself, lol. Have to go reset a few traps, frozen, had one of my k9 flat sets dug at this morning, some of the ones I put in before using any flake antifreeze. I work a rotating shift schedule so I wanted to get some sleep before I went out resetting steel. I’ll record a release if I get so lucky again before bobcat season but being my first, wasn’t about to make an epic fail video, ha.

nice work coyotesoldier, hope you catch one durin the season. its a blast when you get to take 1 home

How about a River Otter in a farm pond today.
I stopped to scout for 'Rats and a River Otter took over the pond.
I 'kissed' the back of my hand and called it within feet of me.
Northumberland County not in an Otter zone. So no trapping Otter here.

Just put some sets out today got a small farm set up an a few coon sets down by the creek hoping the fur is primed up enough now ...pa skinner did I see you doing a beaver demo at PTA district 5 fall meeting ?

And if anybody needs wax dirt just pm I can take care of ya

Nope. I'm in district one.

hern do you usually see otter in your area?

hern do you usually see otter in your area?
They are not uncommon. I've seen Otter on the Susquehanna, the ole canal along the Susquehanna (Northumberland County), Penns Creek & Middle Creek (Snyder County) and Buffalo Creek (Union County) in my area. Not many sightings, but enough to know they are here and seeing tracks and toilets and where they puke up fish scales.
First I've seen one this far from River or large creek, in farm land.

they are right up there with bobcats up here anymore and i would rather let 5 cats go than 1 otter,just sayin.

...and i would rather let 5 cats go than 1 otter, just sayin.
I agree, but maybe not 5 cats.
I told property owner, 'that Otter may stay here and clean out your Fish'. He wasn't concerned by saying, 'There are plenty of fish in there, for it to eat.'

i swear they have about cleaned up our smallmouth population here.that man is in for a rude awakening.between coon prices and otter,i haven't dug a pocket in 5 yrs..my mink line was always 75 percent foothold to 25 percent coni's.now its probably 80 percent or higher coni's..

Otters in the oswayo? Gotta to be a relatively recent development right? Thought they were pretty much unheard-of when I lived there.