First let me say I usually always do my best to he courteous to others but I'm wondering what others would do in this situation. About 10 minutes from my house there's a river running through state land and there's otter in the area and I went and took a look at it yesterday there's 13 days left of otter season here and I haven't used either of my otter tags, there's one spot where it looks like they've been traveling heavily but I noticed about 20 feet further down someone has a trap there and I didn't notice any sign there at all. Kinda surprised he didn't set the other spot because you would walks past that before you get to where he set so what would you guys do nothing says I can't set there but courtesy says otherwise

Sounds like an inexperienced trapper. I wouldn't set that close to him. I might even try to find out who he is and offer some friendly advice, get him to set on the trail.

x2, You'll learn a lot about the guy, for future reference.

Yes, This ^^^^^

I'm with these guys, I'd at least go find another spot further away. Setting on top someone isn't nice in my book.

You were thinking right in my book about the courtesy.

Yup^^^^^

Moosetrot

As someone once told me…”don’t be that guy.”

I've set at plenty of bridges where there is already someone there, but the 20 feet you are describing is too close. Common courtesy.

I wouldn't set that close to someone, although I've had somebody do it to me. I had somebody come in and set brand new 330s (oil slick on the water around them, they were so new) on the same dam I was set up on, now granted I had footholds there but with a drowning stake out in the pond and having to step over two spillways with footholds set in them to get to where they set their traps I find it hard to believe they didn't notice them. Particularly on multiple dams. Now in another instance I had a wolf line out and somebody came along and walked past three different sets of mine and made sets farther off the road, but in this instance I will give them a pass because there was an inch of fresh snow and I had blended flat sets that there was no way of them seeing, so I don't believe they had any idea I already had traps there.

This last year my dad had a guy come along and put marten boxes on the closest trees to the ones dad already had boxes on! Legal, but not something I would ever do. Seems like a good way to lose a bunch of traps to a ticked off and not entirely scrupulous trapper.

All in all though most trappers are courteous of others there first, except one instance of a trapper stealing a beaver trap and then later apparently getting an attack of consience and turning it in to a warden claiming to have caught a beaver with it on its foot (wire was obviously cut with wire cutters and trap taken off, not broken) The above instances are all I can recall. Usually issues are with nontrappers. Amazing how many people who wouldn't steal anything else think that if they find a trap in the woods it is free for the taking.

I always move on to a different spot if I see evidence of other trappers or in some situations even hunters. I like to be the only person checking my traps. I’ve never had a problem finding somewhere else to set up and I know what it’s like to have people set on top of you. Would be nice if you could somehow steer the person to the proper location for the set in that particular spot. Maybe a note?

kurtansky, how long have you been trapping? If I was you, I wouldn’t set a trap in the area…yet.

Are you sure he didn’t have a trap set at the spot with all the sign? Also, 20 feet isn’t that far away, and I’d say he’s set on it and maybe he’s a better trapper than you and see’s something you don’t.

Because you had to ask, I’m going on a whim and thinking this guy has more experience than you.

Peace.

Nah...I wouldn't crowd a guy for a late season otter.

How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot ? Go meet the guy and help him catch the otter if that is what he is setting to catch. Bet you make a friend! Friends are much better than enemies.

Gang set all around him if legal.

Kurtansky, it may be that this other trapper has filled his/her otter tags already, thus is not setting there to avoid another otter...... but is setting yet for beaver.........

I suppose it depends on where you live. When I road trapped Iowa, if there wasn't another trap set within 20 feet of me I knew I was off target.

Where I live now, I might be a tad offended, But would also be glad someone else is trapping so would let them have the spot.

kurtansky, kudos to you for your consideration. That shows true sportsmanship and I wish more people did the same.

would not set there

X 2

3 feet away, on each side of his set anchored with cable stakes?