Cat season has been over for about 3 weeks now. Last Saturday I decided I better get the preseason trap prep over with so I welded the expanded pans I tried pop riveting on (after a catch or two they would get loose), made sure they all worked properly, and got them dyed. I started doing my trap prep early a few years ago. I tired of forgetting till the last min then feeling rushed right before the season started. Next on my list is to go through my cables and through out any that got too kinked up and making some new ones. Anyone else like to get a head start on there preseason work?

Going to start pawing over equipment soon.

Yep, been working on traps for 2 months already. Decided to seriously go over traps this year, went to almost 100% chain stakes, welded all hooks shut, base plated traps that didnt already have it, bubble jaw tips, making sure everything still has tags, adding/modding new traps. Down to welding and doing chain setups on the last dozen, then acid dip followed by FMJ, then will be put away till next season

I made 2 mink boxes, plan on 2 more. Got one coon bucket to modify. Made some more earth anchoes. Traps will need to wait for warmer weather, but I plan on everything being done by the end of July at the latest.

Spring is when you work traps, if you want them to last. Put up wet and dirty, or not put up at all, means they have at least 6 months to rust away before you use them again and possibly a year or five. Not likely that if they are left un-cared for now that you will ever find the time and motivation to take care of them again until you want to use them and find a pile of rust.
If you work the traps at season's end and put up traps that are cleaned, dyed, and waxed they can stay in storage for decades with no rusting. I have traps in a barrel that I waxed 12-15 years ago and they look as good now as when I put them there. And when season opens you can start right now.

Trapping season is still going strong here and will be for the next 25 days, so no it's a little bit early for cleaning, reapair, and such.😊

I am spending a lot of time at home so yes I have gone through my gear. Also thought I would buy some new odds and ends to keep our sponsors going during these hard times.

I’ll pull in late July or August when it just get too dang hot and prep what needs prepped in October or so when it cools down a little.

I do, just picked up a few more #3 Bridgers. Going to get started 4 coiling them and laminating them.

I've been thinkin about starting to think about it

I been thinking about it. Got a couple new things I want to try as far as trap prep goes.

I'm always looking for something to help me improve my trapping skills or make things easier for me and spend a lot of time in my shop. Making drowning rods, stakes, laminating or making tools is always a good past time for me. A few weeks ago I made several skunk proof live traps and plan on making a few more soon. I scored an old cement mixer that needs some attention and once I fix that, will use it to clean my traps. Once it warms up I will be waxing them and making wax dirt. Always something to do with trapping around here.

I’ve cleaned the gunk out of my DPs and washed my coyote traps. Need to repaint and Full Metal Jacket them once the paint has dried. Since learning to snare, I’ve made snares and coated them with Newt’s Formula One.

‘Bought a bench swager and have enough disposables now to last a couple years. Being essentially locked down, I might as well use the time constructively. But I usually do my clean up in the Jan-Feb time frame anyway.

I decided to get my paste baits ready too. Lots of almost rotten bananas jarred and frozen. Mixed persimmon oil in some just to try it out. I did quite well with a half teaspoon (and 2 other tastes) in each DP last fall. Just a taste is all that’s needed!

I like to do mine as soon as season is over. Then everything is still fresh in my mind as what I need to change or modify. Pretty much done except for waxing.

Making snares now, got some of the legholds gone through already but still got a bunch left. Than i still have to rechain traps to the new mt. Law . But October is a ways off yet lol.

all my land traps have been gone over and dyed and put up til it gets warm here then they go in fmj made 2 and a half gallons of bait and still beaver trapping

October.

Here’s the deal: you can do the cleaning now or have to help the wife with all her honey-do projects!

I took my dirty ones to the car wash this week . I need to order steel for laminating them. Then they will need to rust a little but so will the new ones I buy. So I wont be dying or waxing for a while.

10/4 on the honey due list I was glad to have to go back out of town to work so I can rest up. Even working 16hrs its easier than being at home on the farm.

My land traps are in a pile by my bench. I'll work on them all summer a few at a time. The traps that made catches get the steel brush, the ones that didn't just get a visual to make sure all is intact. I do need to retreat some BGs tho.