I know that there are a lot of beginning trappers on here inclulding myself, but I really like reading a post and that little light bulb comes on in my head and I think to myself why didn't I think about that, I can really use this on my line. I know that a lot of pro's at any occupation don't like to give away there little secrets of the trade, but come on this is trapperman, help us all become better trappers it only bodes well for the future. For example, I was having a heck of a time setting 330's and read about using a rope to set them this really helped me out. Come on give us a real good tip!!!

Use your 330 setting rope as a sling to carry out your beaver over your shoulder. Put a loop on each end and attach each end to a beavers front and back paw. It makes hauling beaver out a lot easier.

If a trapper starts out by thinking that an animal is smarter than him, then they are.

Some of the best advice I have ever gotten, I believe confidence is a big factor in success.

Cant catch animals if you dont have traps out.

use fish oil like its free!

THINK!!! dont just do what ya read and go by that .... every set is a different situation .... doesnt matter if its a subtle difference or a major one .... be patient .... ya not gonna learn as fast as ya want to ... it will take time .... also be patient on makin a catch (really be patient for yotes, mink, otter and cats)now im not sayin leave ya traps set for a month or even a week to make a coon or rat catch but .... i hope ya get the idea .... second to most important thing that will have ya catchin fur... like hangman said ... is confidence !!! if ya dont have confidence in yaself and ya sets ... ya not gonna let ya traps work for ya, ya not gonna put the time into it to set the right locations and put in quality sets .... and will get sloppy with ya line .... i have seen guys over the years that make me wonder why they even trapped .... cryin bout this and that and not even wantin to check traps but did just cause it was the law !!! but above all ...the number one thing !!! ENJOY yaself !! when it becomes too be a pain, or ya not havin fun .... why do it to begin with ?? ya not gonna get rich by doin it !!! good luck to all !!!

No matter how thick you think the ice is you will break through with the foot that has the leaky wader

When river trapping I use a tow rope to get catch back to the truck or 4 wheeler. I like to work upriver and dispatch anything still alive. When I reach the last set in that section I turn down river and remove animals and reset traps. When the coon or beaver is out of the trap it is looped into a rope and towed to the next set that has something in it. You can tow 8-10 coons with the current on a rope alot easier than you can carry them.

This one works for me But I do not have a large amount of people travelling on my line.Do not go way out of your way from the trail that you trap on.In good habitat let the animals do the work and travel to your easy to get to(for you) sets.
Dan'l

K.I.S.S. not realy a secret...but maybe the most overlooked lesson in trapping.

Attend the Fur Takers of America's trappers college. The experience will take decades off your learning curve!!

Amen brother!

Put your keys on top of your tire before going out on the line. This way you'll always know where they are, instead of getting back to the rig and digging in your pocket and then remembering you thought you heard a splash a mile back in the creek when you reached into the same pocket for your knife

Do you have a NTA trappers book yet? If not they are great and will help out a lot . Also contact your states Trapping association and your states DNR. They usually have all kinds of free trapping information.

better tip tie one foot from one beaver and the other end to another beaver. He He was a good tip just had to make it twice as good with two beaver.

[quote=Geezerman]Put your keys on top of your tire before going out on the line. This way you'll always know where they are, instead of getting back to the rig and digging in your pocket and then remembering you thought you heard a splash a mile back in the creek when you reached into the same pocket for your knife
this sounds like experiance speaking. I have heard that sound too.

Spend 6 bucks on a safety gripper for body grips, paint it flourescent orange, good for setting and adjusting triggers and dogs

Already stated but, Keep it Simple. Get in a set as fast as possible without wasting time, and just like I said, keep it simple. They don't all have to look like the ones in the books or videos.

And, you must adapt to your conditions. If the water rises, you have to get your traps elevated more. Ect

And most of all, you have to have the drive to get up in the morning to check traps. And be ready for HARD work. Kids in school hear me talking to friends about trapping. They say geez you'll make a lot of money. I should start trapping. They think you just set a trap and catch something. They don't realize how much work there actually is involved in the process. Especially if you plan on putting up your furs. Thats why I let people come in the shed to see how I'm doing, so they can see that it I am actually working hard for that check I get.

Kyle Moses

Key locations + quality gland lure / bait + using the wind to your advantage = success. Take the time to tune your traps properly and make sure the trap is adequate for the target animal.

Learn to READ and AGE "sign"........Know the habits of the anamals.....Creatures habits change with the weather, You have to also.................Put out as many GOOD sets as you can.........

Make use of Video's... there are some out there that will take years off the learning curve... Invest in the traps you want and like... it helps with the confidence factor, Pride in your Gear and sets will go a long way towards fur.

when trapping under bridges dont always go by the tracks around cause who knows how old they are