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So, I thought I was just about ready for trapping season, which starts Nov. 1 here in NC. Then I went to the Virginia Trappers' Association (VTA) Convention in Bland, VA and got my pre-ordered trapping supplies and came home. I realized there were still some things I needed, but now it was too late to pre-order them and get them at a nearby convention. So, I looked up the extra stuff I'd like to get on a trapping supply company I like, looked up the sales tax and the shipping, and then hit the breaks. It will literally cost me $244 to order this stuff with the sales tax and the shipping added in. I could possibly swing it, but it's a bit too much right now.
So, my question is: What should I do? Where should I look to try to get these supplies without paying exorbitant shipping and other fees? Are there places I can look locally for these kinds of things (Tractor Supply, Harbor Freight, Wal-Mart, etc)? The items I'm looking to get are a catch pole, one muskrat float, a steel for sharpening my knives, and a few more high-quality skinning knives to replace the poultry processing industry's knives I'm currently using. The catch pole, muskrat float, and steel are necessities. The skinning knives would be nice to have, but could wait.
Pretty sure if you order from MTP or FNT there will be no sales taxes applied since their primary business residence is in a state other than your own. I would order the sharpening steel on Amazon... I got one recently for $9 Canadian... I am sure they can be had much cheaper in the USA Muskrat float... I would build from scrap or find a friend who could build me one cheap or free So catch pole and knives from MTP is going to run you about $50 all in depending on what you select Minnesota Trapline Products
The catch pole can be made using conduit and I like to use vinyl coated cable. You can get the coated cable at lowes, home depot TSC for like $0.30 ft. muskrat floats can be made with scrap wood and other household items (so I've read. I'm not a water trapper). A steel can be bought at walmart or amazon. I like a carbon diamond oval steel.
AccuSharp brand knife sharpener is better than a steel for those knives you have. They are all you need for skinning. Less than $10 at walmart. You can build a catch pole for under $10 easy. And pick up a free pallet and make yourself a float. Under $20 and you'll be all set.
I don't trust those cheap clothes line tensioners myself. I like a more guaranteed solid lock up...
Simple pole to make. Just drill a small hole through one side near the end of a piece of pipe or conduit and cut a notch in the other end. Make a loop of 1/8" cable and attach it to the end of a chain. Put a stop on one end of the cable through the loop and drop the chain back through the pipe.
Works great and no parts to break. Make it as heavy duty as you want.
Order the good catch pole with the twist release and the plastic over the cable. It will last years and you won't regret paying $100 plus postage. Buy a steel at a local big box store and build your own muskrat float out of scrap lumber and put the new knives on order for the next season.
So, I thought I was just about ready for trapping season, which starts Nov. 1 here in NC. Then I went to the Virginia Trappers' Association (VTA) Convention in Bland, VA and got my pre-ordered trapping supplies and came home. I realized there were still some things I needed, but now it was too late to pre-order them and get them at a nearby convention. So, I looked up the extra stuff I'd like to get on a trapping supply company I like, looked up the sales tax and the shipping, and then hit the breaks. It will literally cost me $244 to order this stuff with the sales tax and the shipping added in. I could possibly swing it, but it's a bit too much right now.
So, my question is: What should I do? Where should I look to try to get these supplies without paying exorbitant shipping and other fees? Are there places I can look locally for these kinds of things (Tractor Supply, Harbor Freight, Wal-Mart, etc)? The items I'm looking to get are a catch pole, one muskrat float, a steel for sharpening my knives, and a few more high-quality skinning knives to replace the poultry processing industry's knives I'm currently using. The catch pole, muskrat float, and steel are necessities. The skinning knives would be nice to have, but could wait.
What are your thoughts?
Come on down to the South Carolina convention this Saturday. It's at Little Mountain, SC, just off of I-26. Southern Snares will be there with a full line of trapping supplies. You can call them to make sure he'll have what you need - Phone: 912-288-6542. Get there in the morning. It usually wraps up mid-afternoon.
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Unless you are buying from a trapping supply company that is based in North Carolina or from a national chain (like Home Depot) that has a retail location in North Carolina, you should not be paying sales tax.
Mtp has everything you need. If you are handling yotes, cats or fox with the pole, I would get a good one {Ketch-all} to start with. I have the long one, dont get in the circle with em. Build the float. With a steel you could sharpen the knives you have to get by until you upgrade. If you want a steel, pm me I have about four in the garage and only 2 hands lol. Good luck.
Thank you all so, so much! All of your replies were a huge help!
Unfortunately, I can't make it down to the SC Convention this weekend, Mr. Dobbins, but I appreciate the suggestion! I'll keep that in mind for next year if I miss anything after the NCTA and/or VTA conventions.
I feel like I've got a few good options now to try. Thank you all very much!
Also, please correct me if I'm wrong, anyone, but FNT is the trapping supply company's website I looked at and, according to the calculations you can make on the website before you submit the order, I would be charged $15.73 in sales tax and $24.95 in shipping fees. I looked at the print catalog and it says in there that they have to charge sales tax for certain states and NC is one of the states listed. It also said they charge such-and-such in shipping depending on how big your order is ($24.95 for orders over $100).
If I'm missing something with the sales tax and the shipping, please explain. Thank, y'all!
They changed something in Indiana laws this year and we now get charged sales tax on out of state orders now too. My order from F&T last week had sales tax added too.
"Where Can A Man Find Bear Beaver And Other Critters Worth Cash Money When Skinned?"
Also, please correct me if I'm wrong, anyone, but FNT is the trapping supply company's website I looked at and, according to the calculations you can make on the website before you submit the order, I would be charged $15.73 in sales tax and $24.95 in shipping fees. I looked at the print catalog and it says in there that they have to charge sales tax for certain states and NC is one of the states listed. It also said they charge such-and-such in shipping depending on how big your order is ($24.95 for orders over $100).
If I'm missing something with the sales tax and the shipping, please explain. Thank, y'all!
back around 2018 or maybe early 2019 michigan enacted a law to collect sales tax even on out of state orders with no physical presence in the state. trying to collect money on all those out of state internet orders i imagine? i'm guessing fnt has to collect from you based on something like that
Hi Kristin... What is the situation you will be trapping for muskrats that you feel you must have floats. I have trapped about every type of situation you can imagine for muskrats and have caught thousands of them and never once used or had to use a float.
I am not trying to be problematic, just can't rationalize the need.
If I can be of some assistance to you... please PM me and I will try to help you.
Garry-
“Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.”
Hi Kristin... What is the situation you will be trapping for muskrats that you feel you must have floats. I have trapped about every type of situation you can imagine for muskrats and have caught thousands of them and never once used or had to use a float.
I am not trying to be problematic, just can't rationalize the need.
If I can be of some assistance to you... please PM me and I will try to help you.
Garry-
The situation is just that I have 3 #1.5 footholds that I got for drowning sets for muskrats. I will mostly be trapping on public land this season and hunting deer with dogs is allowed here. There is also a strong tradition of hunting small game with dogs here. Trapping season in NC goes from Nov. 1-Feb. 28 and small game season goes from Oct. 12-Feb. 28. The deer gun season starts Nov. 14 and goes until Jan. 1. So, basically, there's a high probability of there being dogs around on the public land I will be trapping. I'm just trying to avoid any potential issues and so I thought floats would be my best option. What are your thoughts?