Maybe it will be my last.

Been watching and reading a great deal on Tman . . . as always. Its a great diversion from work and its always fascinating to see how the other guy does things. I've learned a ton over the years but I see a lot of the same themes coming up over and over so I thought I'd just issue a pronouncement on some things and then be done with it. You know, kind of like how therapists tell their patients to write a letter and express all their frustrations, then throw the letter away to get rid of their anger. Here goes.

First, most trappers spend way too much time analyzing and second guessing their sets, their equipment, their baits, their lures, their pan covers, their everything. Everything from how to construct a cat/coyote set, to which lure or bait is currently the greatest on the market. Here's my take -- If I tried making some of the sets I see on here (especially cat sets), I'd only get 3-4 per day. Cats aren't rocket scientists. Its been said a lot of different ways, but get in front of them, and make them step on your trap as they go about their business. Same for coyotes. They aren't geniuses either. Don't mistake me -- I very much respect them and there are certainly plenty that outsmart me (not a real challenge for them). But for the average fur trapper, they are pretty simple -- they are always hungry (during trapping season) and they are always looking for a free meal. Give them one!! Just make it natural like it was something they would actually run into out in the field. Have you ever seen where a coyote or fox actually cached food it didn't want or have time to eat? What did it look like? Could you replicate it? If you've got a good strong, proven trap, with a reliable anchoring system, forget about using a trap that would hold a small elephant or one that requires a college degree to operate. Keep it simple. On a good day, I set 30-50 cat traps and I can do a bit better on setting coyote traps (because I set them closer to the vehicle). If you are constructing complicated sets, only getting a handful of them set on a given day, and your success is still subpar, think about simplifying things. I didn't say get sloppy; I said simplify.

Second, for canines and felines, bait and lure don't need to be complicated, and you should think about using the appropriate one in a given situation. Take a page from Mr. Waddell's adventure -- very simple bait, no lure (that's his choice) and some quality urine. Over 600 coyotes this year. I don't think he's sweating the current shortage of Abyssinian Civet Musk or whether its 5 ounces of castor or 6. Use something the animal actually wants to eat -- what a concept!! And without complicating it, think about where you should place that attractant in relation to your trap. Visualize how the animal will approach the attractant and place your trap where he will step on it. If you can't envision it, get yourself some good trail cameras and make mock sets in the off season and watch where/how/why a predator places his feet and body in relation to the attractant.

Third and final, traps are like trucks. We all drive a Ford/Chevy/Dodge/Toyota/Nissan etc for one reason or another. Some of those reasons are valid and some of them probably aren't, but as long as its dependable and gets you down the road, who cares what make/model you drive? Traps are the same way. Some are better than others. My advice is to do your own research, or talk to experienced, actual trappers in your area and see what they like. Then buy the very best you can afford and do it right from the outset. When I was a kid, I was poor. I picked up potatoes on my uncle's farm for 6 cents per 100 pound sack. On a school day, after school, if I hustled I could pick up 20 sacks. On a Saturday, if I busted my fanny, I could get 100. Yup, a whole $6 for the day. I saved my money to buy coyote traps. In my mind, I couldn't afford to buy some of the better traps so I bought some cheap traps (not going to tell you what they were). When I learned to catch coyotes, I had to endure the pain of pullouts, broken trap parts and weak springs. One Christmas my grandmother gave me a dozen #3 Victor Longsprings. I'm not saying they are the BEST trap, but they were quality -- especially compared to what I had been using. I quickly learned that cheap traps cost me, and quality saved me money. I've tried to implement that principle every day of my life whenever I'm tempted to buy something cheap because "it was good enough." Instead, I try to buy quality and you should too. I think it was a trapper from Montana who said "you can judge a trapper by the quality of his tools."

OK, I'm done.

Good post/ slight rant. ( I mean that in a good way , no disrespect)

A lot of truth in your post. I give it 2 thumbs up.

Laz...

Thanks for the well-thought-out diatribe. Much appreciated. I, too, tire of the incessant detail-seekers, but I think most of them that are posting are really looking for assistance. Too, I adhere to the KISS method of trapping wolves and coyotes. We can add all the whistles and bells, but does it really help us catch our quarry?

Again, Laz, thanks.

Jack

Great observations and well said.

Don’t know you or even know if I’ve read any of your posts before, but please post more. Some of us are learning and it sounds like the voice of experience just spoke. Thanks!!

What the heck are we supposed to talk about now?

And it was to long for my add brain to read.... Bummer

.... right now some kid in West Virginia is putting ole Roy dog food under the pan of an exposed #3 victor long spring because of this lol

... kiddin ... good post

... I also think a lot of that extreme type stuff is due to folks not having enough ground to trap ( trying to find ways to catch things that aren’t there)

How many days do you set 30-50 traps and how many do you have out at any one time ? Plus how many cats you average a season ?

I see some guys at Fallon with like 50 or more

Beer.....

A good trap ain’t cheap....and a cheap trap ain’t good.

Amen to that!!!

Lazarus
Always look forward to your posts. This one was no exception. Sure hope we hear from you again

And his catch will improve 200%.

:-)

Hmmmm. You might have seen me there then.

I enjoy reading your post, thanks Tracy

well said Lazarus.

Great pic by the way. That is impressive.

When I first started I over thought every step and every detail. Now when I set, my sets are "ugly" and rushed compared to when I first started. I have learned to work smarter not harder and to KISS. Recently on FB in a trap group people kept posting "what is the best trap"? I answered simply to summarize the best is the one that has an animal in it. Buy what you can afford for the animal(s) you want to target, buy new buy used. You can always upgrade but if your trap isn't working than it is not the best trap.

There is a reason numbers guys are numbers guys, This puts it out there in black and white!

Most guys will browse over this and be right back next season over thinking things!!

Well said Laz! Happy trails which ever way you choose to go.

I'm sorry