Trapping seems expensive. I know a lot of you guys have several dozen or even hundreds of traps. I made the mistake of buying mine at the local Cabela’s before realizing you can do online bulk purchases for a lot cheaper. Is this for most people got theirs?


At the rate I was going three dozen MB 550s would have cost about $1000

Actually all my 550’s came from Cabelas. Back before they were crappy Bass Pro, they would put 550’s on sale for 15 bucks apiece. Havent seen that for a while now.

I bought my first traps at a gibsons store in Salida CO. about 1968. Even then they were cheaper bought mail order but I had not learned that yet. Sears was pretty competitive on trap prices. I think for most people with a lot of steel and trapping doodads it is an accumulation of decades rather than one giant purchase.

Conventions where ya pay no shipping

Used off the many trapping forums

Sounds like your local mentor needs a whooping since he’s sposd to teach these things

I am using a lot of traps that I purchased as a youngster some 40 years ago. Some just replaced coils in. The newer traps I got from MTP.

MTP, conventions and the Trap Shed here.

Mark June, PCS and Trevor Barnes

Everywheres

F&t trading post has great prices and shipping rates
There is alot of great supply dealers out there but there shipping rates are the deal breaker

F&t and conventions for me.

First ones were given to me by the local fur buyer. First ones I remember buying were fully mod bridgers from M&M fur company. Then here and there as years went buy. F&T, classified adds, fur buyers, etc.... Rome wasn’t built ina day!

I didn’t even know there were conventions. It sounds like traps will usually last decades with seasonal care?


I’m waiting for a call back from MB about shipping. The way I’m reading it on their site it’s only $25 as long as your order is over $100? That’s what it says but it doesn’t seem right. If I buy 500 traps it’s got to cost them a more in shipping than the order itself

Some I had. Most (90% +) I bought from eBay over the years. Most were used Northwoods that I tuned and put new springs on. They all get new springs and a new chain set up. Four or five dozen Bridgers were bought new.

If they say it they mean it couple supply houses had 10.00 shipping on any order Dakotaline was one don't know if thats still going on Personally i'd wait till after Christmas unless they ship fedex or ups Post Office wore out there hosses carrying ballots

Man I hope that’s true. As soon as they confirm it I think I’ll buy a couple dozen various types and call it a day. That would bring me down to something like $17 per instead of $27.

F&T Trading Post

You may be outa luck on 550’s. Seems like a lot of places, including mtp, are out if them. Some guys are gonna have some good Christmas mornings i think.

y uncles bought my first ones about 40 years ago at the local Western Auto store. I've been buying and selling them in every legal manner out there since then myself, new and used. The collection I have now numbers easily into the hundreds, thousands if you counted snares too. I'll be ready if the market turns around to trap a lot more than I do these days, or my son will get them to do with what he wants if it don't come back in the next 30-40 years.

Start with used moved to new but cheaper traps. Trade up as you go work your way to what you want in the end.

I have traps that I still use every season that are older than me. Some of em by a couple decades. If you take good care of your traps they will outlive you.

Conventions

Most of the footholds and 110s came from tailgaters at conventions.
Traded for the 220s and 330s.
The Dps I made myself along with the snares.
just

What a nice Deal!!!

If properly cared for, traps will last a very long time. I’ve got Newhouse traps that are over 100 years old that are still as strong as when they were new. They could catch and hold what ever they were meant for.

Mostly Fnt, some on trap shed and some from conventions

I got my first 2 traps from a creek. They were loose in the bottom of the creek for at least 2 years, untagged and after 2 years I figured no one wanted them. I bought my next 4 traps at the only hardware store in my area that had any. I bought my next 42 traps at the Coons Den in Palestine, Ohio. I was given 4 box traps, 2 from my Mom, 1 from my friend Rob and 1 from my friend James. I then bought traps from Eplers twice. I think I got 36 the fist time and 48 the second time.

Keith

If conventions start again, possibly at these locations. Idaho is scheduled to have its state convention this summer in western Idaho co-sponsored by the a NTA western.

Mostly from Second hand sales

Then I sold all Bodygrippers many many years ago on the Trapshed.
I then bought back 7 big boxs of Belisles from MTP

I've bought MB650's and 750's from MTP. And Cumberlands

My dad had a few dozen 1.5 coils and trapped fox during the fur boom. I took over the use of them when I was a kid. Also when I first started at age 14 I had a lot of older friends who trapped the fur boom and they gave me there’s. My dad, when I was 14 bought me two victor 330 conibears and I caught around 18 beavers with them two traps as a kid my first couple years. I’ve bought a lot off of this website second hand. A lot of my newer predator traps and supplies, I have bought from Gearld Schmitt.

My first traps came from my older brother, who was my mentor. He passed when I was 10, I got others thru the years from old friends that had quit. Anything new I get from Southeastern Outdoors. They are local so no shipping.

I got my first ones from my brother , because he quit trapping back in the mid '70's . But I bought my first coil springs which were Northwoods from Marvin Mallow out of I think Ohio.

MTP

Bought mine from MR. Duke in West Point MS.

Spud, you should consider joining the Idaho Trappers Association. Info on the website. Conventions, fur sales, demos, banquet, etc. We're also hosting the National Trappers Association western regional this June in Glenn's Ferry.

Here’s what helped me shorten my learning curve by decades. Join your state trapping assn, Google it. ANd contact officers off their site and ask for a mentor to ride along with. MANY states have their own forums. Like here in NC. And TN has 2 and Va has 2 also and KY too. A mentor helps Learn trap prep and techniques and tricks and the laws in YOUR state regarding jaw spreads, shock springs, etc, etc. (( Laws vary a lot from state to state so BEWARE of FB and utube. You can be shown things that are illegal in your state!.)) This gets you in the info loop of FREE trappers ed classes and meets and fur sales/pick ups, and conventions. Then attend ALL YOU CAN, this shows folks you are serious and will be a good student. It sure helped open many doors for me and it could for you as well. ALSO, get several different trapping supply catalogs, like MTP, Sterling Fur, FandT, PCS, Flemings, Northern Outdoors, Trap Shack, Schmitt enterprises, Southeastern outdoor supplies, JR & Sons, Grawes, rpoutdoors, etc etc, THEN circle gear you need, and give the catalogs to loved ones to buy your Birthday and Christmas and July 4 and Easter and Anniversary gifts. Explain to them, you want their money to go towards what you will use and need, as opposed to another sweater hanging in your closet. WORKS GREAT in our family.

FREE shipping with a $100 order.

I bought a little a time over the years its added up. Good care and treatment they last a very long time. Ive got some #1s #2 ,#3, and #4 longs ive been using since 80s.
Ive bought some online, some in stores, some at conventions, and some were trades for other things.
Clean em up after each season, dye and wax them, replace broken parts when needed. They will last generations. Store them out of the elements too. Ones hanging in damp old barns don't make it. Keep them dry and out of damp areas when not in use. Think of them like wrenches and hammers. Dont let them rust just treat them and store them properly. Rust and corrosion is #1 enemy of any metal, period.
Last year I bought 1/2 dozen. Year before I bought about same...now i have a dozen. Make sense? Do that for 40+ years and you get quite a collection with manageable cash outlay each year.
Ask for them as Christmas or birthday gifts too. Got 1/2 dozen modified bridger #2 dogless last year from family for Christmas. The gift that really does keep on giving.
Jim

Well this sucks hard. Everyone is out of them with no idea when they’ll get more. I only have 6 predator traps and thousands of acres full of coyotes available. Looks like I’m stuck paying $27 a piece for local ones. Dang it....

I’ll try to make that, thanks.


I did our mandatory trapping class already and learned the ins and outs about the law. It sounds like there aren’t many, and the states leaves it mostly to the trapper to be ethical(yay idaho).

You sound local. Any chance of showing me a thing or two between now and June?

There are used ones sometimes on trapperman trap shed.You could check there.Also put an ad on the trap shed wanted to buy.People on here may have some to sell you.Sometimes fur buyers will also have some used to sell.You can get by with cheaper traps and then buy 550's as you go along.Then sell your older ones.Kinda like buying a truck.Lots of people would love to have the newest one but as long as it runs well the used one will get you to the same place.

I was able to pick up a dozen 550s for $204

Southeastern Outdoor Supplies

The first dozen from Herters with Bday and allowance money saved for about a year. Second with the fur money I made from a dozen or so mrats and a big buck mink taken my first trapping season. All the rest from where ever I could find the best deal ever since. Though I have now a couple of hundred traps(many for specific setting) I have always been of the mind to find the most productive sets as possible. Took over 300 XXL northern coon one year with my first dozen 220's(that year had over 60 days of trappable weather, not common here). Learn to make your traps works as hi % possible for the amount of fur in your area(which is not at all the same between all trappers). I dedicate around 10% of my yearly fur check to new equipment(but I don't run many high end canine traps). I still have and use a few of those first traps and each has put hundreds of pelts in the fur shed and still are. Best investment I've ever made.

I have only bought new Duke 160's over the last decade. About 70% of my foothold traps were purchased used. Many were purchased when the national NTA was in FDL right during the real fur market crash and traps were very low cost. I bought 6 dozen 1 stoploss Victor round pan traps for $25 per dozen and two dozen 1.75 Victor Coils for $70 dollars. Since then I have bought several dozen traps from the trap shed and a few at conventions.
The last couple years shipping costs have gone up considerably so when I need traps I will look more closely at conventions when I attend or they are held again. At 73 I am not looking to add many and or to change my traps up much.
Bryce

MTP, FnT & Snareone.com.

Schmitt

Tom Florin sold me my first traps when I took WI trappers ed at WI-D10 rondy

since he stopped selling , F&T and MTP

Check ebay. I just got a dozen used Oneida Victor 1.75s in very good condition for $75 shipped, which was half the price of buying them new. Also see if you can find a local trap shed. I recently discovered one in central PA and it is a gem. Lots of supplies, advice, and outstanding prices.

Mostly from MTP and Cumberland s the last 15 years

Bought my first traps from Al Barton.

you've checked the 10+ places I urged you to get catalogs from?.......back on 12/21?

here's folks with #'s to call for a mentor. https://www.idahotrappersassociation.com/contact-us.html

I actually found 4 to ride with so I was able to spread myself some and learn different tricks/tips from them all, since no one does everything the same. you could try to do the same.

Some of my first new traps Midwest fur co. And M&M fur in s.d.
On up to present montgomery trap supply in Utah.
Plus a bunch of used trap's I have picked up from yard sales and trapper
Conventions.

I started at garage sales and a few local deals. All of the steel I currently use has come from deals on the Trap Shed forum here, MTP, WCS, and F&T.

Edit:
I forgot to add JR for the #9’s.

Bought my first traps (2 1/2 Blake and Lamb LS) for $15 a dozen out of FF&G. My grandmother would sometimes buy me a #3 Victor LS from Picketts Hardware store for my birthday or Christmas. Today if I'm buying new, they come from MTP.