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What got you started trapping? #6481914
03/05/19 07:23 PM
03/05/19 07:23 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 510
Utah
foxhunter52 Offline OP
trapper
foxhunter52  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 510
Utah
I'm pretty sure there have been numerous threads like this, Even so, I'm very interested to hear the stories of how you got to be a trapper.....It all started for me when a friend invited me to tag along with he and his dad checking some muskrat traps along a canal near our home. His dad was a good trapper, and we caught muskrats that morning. I remember the anticipation of coming to each set, looking to see if the trap was there and then, when we pulled it up, the excitement of hoping there would be something in it. When there was a muskrat, it was almost magical to me. Within a day I'd scrounged up a half dozen traps, jumped on my bike and began setting them along a small, slow moving river a ways from my house. I set the first trap in front of a hole in the bank and found several other places with tracks that looked like good spots. I'd put a carrot on a stick, push it in the mud and put a trap in front of it. I couldn't wait until morning to go check them. As I walked up to the first set and looked over the bank, I couldn't believe my eyes. There was a large muskrat sitting on the bank looking back at me. After a few minutes of smacking him with a stick, I finally got him out of the trap. I caught another muskrat that morning and ten in the next week. My friends dad taught me how to skin and stretch them. He even helped me sell them. I made nearly twenty dollars in a month. But I would have done it for nothing. Long story short, I was hooked and have loved trapping ever since. I've enjoyed countless adventures trapping muskrats, fox, coyotes, bobcats, and a lot of other stuff. They've all been fun and exciting, some a little scary. I've taken a couple short breaks over the years, but now that I'm retired, I'm back for as long a the good Lord will allow, and I'm looking forward to next season. I'm sure many of you have stories to tell, and I'd sure enjoy reading them. If not, I guess I'll read Trapper magazine.

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6481923
03/05/19 07:34 PM
03/05/19 07:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 649
tennessee
C
clintp1971 Offline
trapper
clintp1971  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 649
tennessee
Good story foxhunter52. My first experience with traps was watching a farm boy set traps in dens. He would dig out a place for the trap and then kinda, sorta, bed it. He covered the longspring leaving the jaws uncovered. He would then find a “ good “ leaf , and place it over the pan. Caught possums and skunks, and I thought it was pure sorcery!!!!! I’ve come quite a ways since then, 35 years ago.

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6481964
03/05/19 08:06 PM
03/05/19 08:06 PM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Wild_Idaho Offline
trapper
Wild_Idaho  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 4,100
Bonner County, Idaho
Thanks for sharing that, foxhunter. Painted a real good picture, nice story. I grew up in a hunting and fishing family. My grandpa owned a duck club out in the marsh and he would use cage traps to trap coons and skunks on the levees surrounding the ponds. I'd always help him. We would take some duck or pheasant guts and throw them in the cage traps. The next morning I'd go out with my pellet gun and check the traps. I had a blast doing that. He skinned out a couple coons and tanned them and gave them to me. I had them for a lot of years until they got lost in a move somewhere. The last time I trapped with my grandpa was 20 years ago and I was probably 10 or 12 years old. My dad didn't trap at all and I didn't really know anyone who did so I didn't trap at all until re-starting around this time last year. A book called "Fish, Hunt and Trap a Little by Wesley Murphey put the bug in my ear to start trapping again. My first catch trapping on my own was a beaver, followed by 2 otter and 2 more beaver. This year I've caught beaver, muskrat, mink, coyote, coon and otter. I don't see myself taking another hiatus from trapping unless medical reasons prevent me from doing it. This is a fun lifestyle that we live. Putting out steel and putting up fur. I love it.


Real name Eric
The sharpest hammer in the box of crayons.

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6481969
03/05/19 08:11 PM
03/05/19 08:11 PM
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 749
Broome NY . not the city
greenetrapper Offline
trapper
greenetrapper  Offline
trapper

Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 749
Broome NY . not the city
I found pieces of a fawn in my back field . Property was full of yotes

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482007
03/05/19 08:33 PM
03/05/19 08:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 510
Utah
foxhunter52 Offline OP
trapper
foxhunter52  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 510
Utah
Yeah, I suppose sometimes revenge can be fulfilling. I carry on a vendetta against raccoons.

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482021
03/05/19 08:41 PM
03/05/19 08:41 PM
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 345
MISSOURI,Laclede Co
F
farmnhunt Offline
trapper
farmnhunt  Offline
trapper
F

Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 345
MISSOURI,Laclede Co
I brought home 500# of feed,parked in the back yard,wife yells supper is ready, eat go to unload feed, 6 of 10 bags are tore open. May not be good at it yet but learning and love it. Started just targeting coons but added a few coyote and cat sets.

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482026
03/05/19 08:48 PM
03/05/19 08:48 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,198
Midlands South Carolina
S
SGT. C Offline
trapper
SGT. C  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,198
Midlands South Carolina
A dozen Monties 1.5's and the revenue used to buy hunting and fishing gear as a kid. Sarge


Getting old is a fatal mistake

Always looking for reloading componets

I know a beaver or two, because I've seen a beaver or two
Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482031
03/05/19 08:52 PM
03/05/19 08:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,822
Nevada
N
nvwrangler Offline
trapper
nvwrangler  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,822
Nevada
My son in law traps and got me started. I was looking for something to get me up and moving after my wife had passed away. I moved to a little bunk house on a ranch and could just takes the side by side out from the house. Didnt catch anything but spent some quality one on one time with my kids who were now living with my first wife. Nothing was as enjoyable as those e evening checks with the kids. Now i end up by my self and its nowhere near as enjoyable.

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482045
03/05/19 09:03 PM
03/05/19 09:03 PM
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,482
Ne pa
J
Jerry Jr. Offline
trapper
Jerry Jr.  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,482
Ne pa
I was raised in a hunting and fishing family. My Dad was not for trapping tho I suspect it was because his first daughter is an anti (she is 18 years older than me). He always supported his kids and I know he did not know anything about trapping. Had he lived longer I am sure I could have educated him about trapping. Tho I am not sure I would have gotten into it if he was still around.

My story starts with my Dad passing. The second year after his passing we had way to many yotes out in the swamp. I found a guy I work with to come out and set traps. Long story short, I really liked going out and checking the traps and learned that it wasn't what you are told by the anti's. I saw how humane it is (nothing like the anti's make it out to be). I really enjoyed going out on the checks. I decided to dive into the trapping game. Through the help of this site and some friends I have been able to catch some critters. Not as many of the yotes as I have hoped, but we are working on that.

My Kids love to go out with me to check and set traps, to the dismay of their grandma (my Mom). I think it is because they have first hand knowledge of what happens on the line. They have seen several critters in traps. They know it is nothing more than a restraining device. They are not designed to inflict imminence pain like the anti's would have you believe.

Just the other night my 5 year old told me she was gonna hunt, fish and trap like me but she needs to be a little older. I tried to explain that with our laws she can do it now, but she has it in her head that she needs to be older. I am fine with her tagging along. When she is ready I will be there waiting.

Long story short, between this site and people on the ground you converted me in my early 30's. Congrats, I am rather hard headed. On a side note, everyone that I have talked to has been pro trapping, or at the very least accepting of it. This was our third year and I have not had one person (other than my Mom and sister) express a dislike for trapping and I have talked to many people about it. I don't hide what I do, I will gladly engage in a polite discussion with any one.


Time is more precious than gold if you know how to spend it
.... but what do I know, I'm just a dumb farmer.~My Dad
NRA LIFE MEMBER, Endowment Member
Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482048
03/05/19 09:07 PM
03/05/19 09:07 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,986
Central Pennsylvania
Nittany Lion Offline
Don't call me Mister, Mister
Nittany Lion  Offline
Don't call me Mister, Mister

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,986
Central Pennsylvania
Muskrats in the farm pond.


I got myself a seniors' GPS.
Not only does it tell me how to get to my destination,
it tells me why I wanted to go there.
Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482059
03/05/19 09:16 PM
03/05/19 09:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,562
N.W. Pennsylvania, Venango cou...
PA.Trapper Offline
trapper
PA.Trapper  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,562
N.W. Pennsylvania, Venango cou...
It was our way of life and it just got in my blood.love it.its like Christmas morning everyday for months

Last edited by PA.Trapper; 03/05/19 09:18 PM.

Life's too short, enjoy everyday like it was your last.
Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482081
03/05/19 09:32 PM
03/05/19 09:32 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,446
OBX N.C.
Leary Sink Offline
trapper
Leary Sink  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,446
OBX N.C.
I have finally narrowed it down to lack of good sense!!

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482083
03/05/19 09:34 PM
03/05/19 09:34 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 510
Utah
foxhunter52 Offline OP
trapper
foxhunter52  Offline OP
trapper

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 510
Utah
Thanks brothers, keep em coming. I love to hear these stories and experiences.

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482088
03/05/19 09:36 PM
03/05/19 09:36 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
M
martentrapper Offline
trapper
martentrapper  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
1975 college at CSU at Ft. Collins Co. Trapping trip with Major Boddiker!

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482090
03/05/19 09:39 PM
03/05/19 09:39 PM
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,520
Kentucky
ky_coyote_hunter Offline
trapper
ky_coyote_hunter  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,520
Kentucky
Grandfather got me started, he was an expert blind set fox trapper...Never used lure or bait, and I learned a few tricks from him I've never seen in print, or even talked about.


Member - FTA
Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482093
03/05/19 09:42 PM
03/05/19 09:42 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,492
Garden,Michigan
B
Buck (Zandra) Offline
trapper
Buck (Zandra)  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,492
Garden,Michigan
A article in OUTDOOR LIFE around '73 or '74,the author interviewed 4 or 5 trappers from around the country,George Wacha was one of them.That article lit a flame that never went out.


Buck(formely known as Zandra)
Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: Buck (Zandra)] #6482096
03/05/19 09:45 PM
03/05/19 09:45 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,293
East-Central Wisconsin
B
bblwi Online content
trapper
bblwi  Online Content
trapper
B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,293
East-Central Wisconsin
Pocket gophers when I was 10 years old. Sophomore in HS I read my first FFG and trapped for 3 years. Moved and in 1980 bought some traps and been at it since.

Bryce

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482098
03/05/19 09:48 PM
03/05/19 09:48 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,331
north Idaho
decoy Offline
trapper
decoy  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,331
north Idaho
Hanging around Ludy Sheda I guess.


Hunt with your Kids, not for them.
>>>----->

Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482107
03/05/19 09:59 PM
03/05/19 09:59 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,668
OK
Aaron Proffitt Offline
trapper
Aaron Proffitt  Offline
trapper

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,668
OK
A guy by the name of Mike Burma got me started in '81 around Collinsville/Owasso , OK. by allowing me to tag along with him. A couple years later, moved to the Missouri Ozarks where my uncles and grandpa trapped. A neighbor by the name of Ruben Belcher showed me some finer points. Rest is history.


Honor a Soldier. Be the kind of American worth fighting for.
Re: What got you started trapping? [Re: foxhunter52] #6482443
03/06/19 09:21 AM
03/06/19 09:21 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,447
Monroeville NJ
J
Jonesie Offline
trapper
Jonesie  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,447
Monroeville NJ
I started around 10 years old, that was 50 years ago now LOL Not sure why? Other than maybe hearing my grandfathers talk about the trapping they did in the early 1900's. One was from Oklahoma and the other here in NJ. plus a lot of the boys my age trapped to some extent. As a 8 year old kid or there abouts I trapped rabbits and birds in the back yard and field along with the rats that would be around the chickens. I set out to catch the fur around 10, I remember my first catch was a grinner in a wooden box trap with leather hinges that my grandfather from Oklahoma showed me how to make. Wasn't long I caught a coon in that trap and the coon tore it apart LOL I was so excited even though the trap was tore apart LOL I went and got a couple 1.5 jump traps, I didn't know anything about traps. I went to a stream put the trap in the water and hung a apple over top of it with string and next day had a black muskrat. I was off and running. My grandfathers would tell me how they trapped back in the early 1900's and I would do it. Although even in the late 60's and early 70's they was not the best methods LOL soon I learned the right ways and by 79 I was doing wildlife control for folks part time. Being just married and soon a first baby coming the fur and wildlife control help paid many a bill.

Last edited by Jonesie; 03/06/19 09:23 AM.

Ron Jones
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