TMI Boco,TMI.did it keep him warm??

I became a trapper at age 12, the minute I laid my hands on a 1 1/2 longspring.
Thirty seconds later, when I got caught in said 1 1/2 longspring, I seriously contemplated no longer being a trapper. I, however, endeavored to persevere.

TTT - in case you missed his only trapping related post.

You all will figure it out.

I caught it this time around

When I found myself specifically going out in the off-season, looking for coyote, wolf and cat poop to collect in bags and take home...

When you scout the area, then use tools with the knowledge you have studied to successfully harvest your target, can take a long time for some a short while for others, however if your sets connect, your a trapper, congrats !!

When you sell your harvest you then become a frustrated Trapper, LOL

When I figured out location WAS more important than the set, the lure, the clean gloves, etc.

I think this is close , maybe its that first check when its dark snowing and miserable but youd rather be on the line then anywhere else. Don't know I've called myself a trapper but i trap alot.

When I was 8 years old.
My first possum bought a #2 dls. And the next, another. Then a bunch of 120’s caught muskrats galore. And then coons and fox were the next progression.

If it’s in you, it’s in you and the age you find this out doesn’t matter.

ps ... I still remember getting my moms good pot out of the kitchen to boil my traps in.

I can still hear her yelling.

1974 - bought a 1/2 dozen 1 1/2 Blake & Lamb long springs that summer; caught my first coon in the fall. It took me an hour and a half to skin that scrawny thing and it looked like Swiss cheese when I was done. One of my uncle's buddies took pity on me and bought it. For what I don't remember, but I was excited with the transaction, which included a lesson on skinning.

You become a trapper the first day you set a trap and stick with it season after season, regardless of whether you make any money at it - that's the key. I saw plenty of guys who started trapping when prices were high but never stuck with it once prices tanked. The late 70s and early 80s were a good example of fair weather "trappers" who could make a quick buck, but quickly disappeared when the prices tanked shortly thereafter.

I called myself a trapper when I started thinking like an animal

After i set my first trap.....

Calling "yourself" a trapper at any point doesn't mean so much in my book....But when the older sourdough trappers who have been around for ages start recognizing your abilities, you have something then IMO.

X2

My 2nd season trapping, 1996 I caught my 1st otter. My mentor told me the year before that your not a "Trapper" until you catch a otter. I couldn't wait to show it to him. Plus he had to show me how to skin out the tail.

Good thread. Brought back some good memories.

I think Boco recognizes our ability to get under his skin maybe

If you can get under my skin you can call yourself a trapper.

Challenge accepted, Boco!

when you relaese a black bear from a coyote trap, with no help.