I carry an old ski pole when walking in the water. It helps me to 1) keep my balance, 2) check for deep or mucky holes, 3) hook drowning wires, and 4) as leverage when I have to get out of a jam (when I forgot about #2).

Walk your trapline in a differant direction once a week. You'll be amazed how many good set locations you are missing. Walk back to the truck on the other side of the stream , cross at a differant spot, go to the bottum of that hill. There mite be a culvert that you never knew was there. There mite be a den tree that you see all the time but you never looked at the other side of. You mite find a roadkilled deer. Just this season, I couldn't cross the creek at my usual spot due to high water. I had to walk about 100 yards down the road and cross the bridge that I always walked under. I found a dandy mink trail that I didn't know was there, and I found a nice 8 pointer that had been hit over the summer.

Take a kid trapping with you, preferably your own. If not, borrow one, there are always lots of interested youngsters out there. Make it fun, and not too tough to start. Their enthusiasm and energy is a huge inspiration. Split the profit with them. Soon they will get you out of bed to go trapping.

I will never forget something that happened 30 years ago. My Dad was working, but the neighbour was going whitetail hunting. It was snowing like heck, so I figured if I hung around shovelling his driveway long enough, he might invite me along. No rifle, just to get out. He almost ran over me on the way out. He did give me five bucks, which I put in his mailbox. Funny the things that stick in your memory.

Cheers,

C 54

Don't get stuck in a rut of "it has to be done this way." Where and when it's applicable and it can be done safely and ethically-think outside the box. Your results will tell you if it's working or not, but don't be afraid to try something different.

When walking across a frozen beaver pond carry your spud sideways Or cary a long stick sideways, if you go down the spud will hold you above the Ice... Yes I learned that from experience!!!

If you chop a hole in ice to feel down checking if the 330 is fired or not, make the hole big enough to pull your hand back out with the 330 on it also ... otherwise you're stuck... Yes learned that one too! Beter yet, don't reach down to feel the trap with your hand.

Bring a partner whenever possible!

okay a couple tips and words of advise.
#1 preperation is everything,trapping is a year round deal,even if you can only set traps out for a couple months.
#2 knowledge is the key ,never stop learning or asking questions there is not one person out there trapping that knows it all!
#3 If you know an experienced trapper learn all you can while you can.
#4 Keep landowners happy,most will let you trap on their property but if you trespass you'll ruin your reputation and find alot of negative answers when knocking on doors,farmers talk to each other alot,and word gets around, good or bad.
#5 trapping is hard work and as with everything else you get back what you put into it.
#6 your first year or two can be really discouraging as your learning,don't give up it gets better!!!
#7 everybody keeps talking about trapping secrets, truly there is not many if any true secrets out there.work at it,learn, and repeat!!!!

I think there is something in the archives about setting 330's isn't there folks?

Always bury your chain in the mud when coon trapping, It will greatly increase your catch. Raccoons are very curious animals and if they feel your trap chain they will yank your trap right out of the pocket. Use guide sticks on pocket sets for mink, narrow down the pocket with a few small sticks to guide them right over your trap pan.

Mink trapping tip-Be patient.You made the set right...he just hasn't come thru the area yet but he will.
When making pocket sets on creeks that are startin to freeze..make them on the north bank so that the sun shines on them longer and water stays open longer.
Don't pass up a bottom edge set location for mink because the bottom is too rocky to shove your stick in. Use a T-bar, wire the trap to it and sorta "work" it in to the bottom.
DON'T GIVE UP!
Go to rummage sales and estate sales in the summer-its amazing how much stuff for trapping you can get there. Last year I got one of those old two-handled boilers for dying traps and paid a buck for it. If you are a young trapper on a limited budget you will save tons of money. When your mom goes "rummage saling" tag along.

Great tips guys keep them coming!
Todd Lund- I bought a bunch of stuff from garage sales this summer that I use on my line and preparation.

I go with what waterfordcooner said (use fish oil like its free) just learned that lesson this year and really made a difference

Take the kids along>

I know there is still a bunch of good tips left out there so here goes ttt.

Snaring for yotes and such, make your own trail if there isn't one there...or make that faint trail a lot more obvious, hang your snare in it, and perhaps the yote will choose to travel it the next time he comes by.

It has worked for me. I saw where yotes were crossing a small ditch. Down next to the ditch where the nice high johnson grass is, the ground was pretty much mud. About 12 feet away, the grass was shorter, but with occasional clumps of sage and johnson grass. The trail faded quickly in the short grass, so I made a trail with my boots, rubbing the grass away to the bare ground if possible and hung my snare over it. Then brought in some sage grass and johnson grass clumps to hide it somewhat.

Or put it on an old duck call lanyard and keep it around your neck. Haven't lost mine in 3 years.

always pee before u set a line!

I agree I use a lot of it for my Coon sets

Scout year around
dye/wax canine traps
solid bedding
Set on sign
Little lure goes a long way/Lots of fox urine on hand
Have PLENTY of dry dirt on hand
Set 2 traps per location, atleast
Trap everything, don't pass on a mink location because you k9 trappin'
Learn how to put up fur and invest in quality fur handling equipment kvines,stretchers,pins,exc...
subscribe to FFG and Trapper Predator caller
go to your state conventions

If you pass someone on your way to your set location, pay close attention to thier appearance, vehicle, and if possible, liscence plate number.
You may have just passed a trap thief...