How do you guys find the property you trap? I’m looking for property to pick up this year, but honestly all I know is just find property on a map and go knock on a door (this isn’t proven fruitful in the past). A huge majority of the land near me is either National Forest or timber company land. What are some resources you would use?

check your mail box

Once people started finding out I catch coyotes fox, beaver, and coons successfully they started talking about it. I also asked those happy land owners to let me know if anyone the know would like me to trap so they were aware i was looking for more ground. More invitations from people that want them gone slowly started rolling in.

Great ideas thank you!

Ask the question. Do you have any problem animals on your property? Around here it’s always beaver and coon especially with current low prices. Get in while prices are low because when/if they rebound YOU get the exclusive right to trap the property. To some this approach may sound cold but I call it loyalty.
If it’s a farmer ask if you can spend a couple of hours helping with chores. Cutting wood, mowing hay away.

Knocking on doors is the best way. Treat the conversation like a job interview. I get asked a lot for permission. Manly bird hunters. If they have kids they will probably get permission. ISome guys use business cards. Keep a plat book in the truck. When you see a good property look the owner up and pay him/her a visit.

Also as a landowner it helps if the guy stays in contact during the year especially if they are not local. If I get a good property. I will send them a gift card, buy them lunch if I see them out, ect... good luck

Word of mouth will generally get you more property than you can trap. Be prepared for some personal questions from landowners, lol. And always ask what they want removed.

Awesome. These are all some really good tips I will put into practice. I wish all of you the best of luck!

Outsider,

You’ve been given some good advice so far. Do a good job and word of mouth travels—-check. Knock on doors, people tend to know who owns what—-check.


However, if there’s a specific property that you’d like to access and there aren’t any doors to knock on (or the doors you knock on aren’t cooperating), you can go to the County/Parish courthouse for the tax information. Look up the property on their map and then search their records. Sometimes a county will have this information online. Sometimes they won’t and it’ll require a trip in person. My experience with the employees that work in these offices has been very positive, they’ve always seemed glad to help.


In Louisiana, this office means the tax assessor. It may go by a different name in other states. Go to the courthouse and ask around, they’ll know what you’re asking about.

There are property ownership websites and phone apps that show this information too. I find it useful for quickly finding the Township/range information, but I rarely trust it for up to date ownership. Land changes hands all the time, so that information needs to come from a very reliable source (e.g. tax assessor).

Good luck

See if your county or state has a Q Public website. It will show the landowner and their property boundaries.

And as mentioned contact the local tax accessor. Become good friends with him...it pays off big time, lol!

Outsider. What county are you wanting to trap in? I work all over Alabama trapping coyotes. I usually get 250-300 dollars a day. BUT I often have hunting clubs that cant afford my work BUT offer me a free membership for my time.

I trap pocket gophers and skunks in the off season . That seems to open alot of doors for me. Most farms around here are 3rd-4th generation farms so they have alot of family in the area. Once you get onto one place, it doesn't take long to get more places if they are happy with your work. If not, you'll have a very difficult time getting onto any place in the county! I show the LO my catches and let them know if I find anything I think they should know about like downed fences and such. Don't be afraid to roll up your sleeves and pitch it to help. You'll find you'll get alot more out of it than just a place to trap.

Get the App " onXhunt" it is a plot book on your phone! Go to coffee up town, basketball games, etc. The more you are seen and known around your community the better your chances are and the more a Trust you will have with them. Getting the first few is usually the hardest and then it gets easier. Don't be afraid to knock on a strangers door, they might say No, but you will be surprised that many times they will say yes. Finally, be respectful at all times. All it takes is one bad experience and you can lose a spot. This means not setting some places were you would like, etc. Good Luck, will be harder to do with social distancing!

When you do get permission keep in mind not to trap the wife, kids and neighbors domestic pets and especially the man's dog. If you do be sure to release them unharmed.