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I have a lot of questions #7612195
06/25/22 01:16 AM
06/25/22 01:16 AM
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
T
TheYouthTrapper Offline OP
trapper
TheYouthTrapper  Offline OP
trapper
T

Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
I only have 3 seasons under my belt and only have one local trapper, but I think I would run out of breath if I had to ask him all these questions. What is the best lure for muskrats, what is better a trapping bag or a pack basket, and what is the most cost-effective kill box for 120 conibears, I have been looking at small 5-gallon totes and the newspaper tubes but the tubes run at around 15-20$ and the shipping cost would kill me, that's why I was looking at the 5 gallon totes since they would fit a 120 if I made a small cutout. Also what are the best tools to have in the truck when running a trapline of fewer than 200 traps, also what is the most essential hardware and such to have around such as J hooks, etc. Thanks in advance!

TheYouthTrapper

Last edited by TheYouthTrapper; 06/25/22 01:18 AM.
Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612226
06/25/22 06:25 AM
06/25/22 06:25 AM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,279
texas
L
la4wd54 Offline
trapper
la4wd54  Offline
trapper
L

Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,279
texas
Well if you've gotten this far on this site I would suggest searching the archives. Probably most of your answers will lie therein.

Last edited by la4wd54; 06/25/22 06:26 AM.
Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612233
06/25/22 06:48 AM
06/25/22 06:48 AM
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 343
Va
R
rattrapper1234 Offline
trapper
rattrapper1234  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 343
Va
Yes definitely check out the archives, I only have five seasons under me and the archives are a huge help. I may not have the "right" way of doing things but I am confident I can go to a new area and catch critters. If you want feel free to pm me and we can learn together. As far as your questions above go I like lenons rat super all call, it catches piles of rats as well as coon, beaver and otter. The bag situation is kind of dependant on what kind of line you are running, I used the packbasket the last couple years before I could drive and was walking everywhere, but it's kind of hard to keep everything organized.Now that I can drive its easier to carry a bag, I have three cheap tool bags from harbor freight one for clean tools, a bag for remakes, and a bag for baits and lures. The only conibears I use are 110s for rats so I can't help you with the boxes. There are lots of tools out there but again that is dependent on the line you are running, I would say get a digging hammer, a trowel with a long handle, and a sifter, you should be able to get by with those tools, although a rebar stake is handy for punch holes, and a hatchet or axe is nice too. I don't use one much but it is nice to have when you need it. I think you can never have to many swivels around they are pretty nice to have around and it sucks to be setting up traps and run out. That's my best answer for all that feel free to p.m. me. I'm still learning too so anyone feel free to correct me, tight chains.

Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612242
06/25/22 07:11 AM
06/25/22 07:11 AM
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 11,771
Amite county Mississippi
Wolfdog91 Offline
trapper
Wolfdog91  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 11,771
Amite county Mississippi
Originally Posted by TheYouthTrapper
I only have 3 seasons under my belt and only have one local trapper, but I think I would run out of breath if I had to ask him all these questions. What is the best lure for muskrats, what is better a trapping bag or a pack basket, and what is the most cost-effective kill box for 120 conibears, I have been looking at small 5-gallon totes and the newspaper tubes but the tubes run at around 15-20$ and the shipping cost would kill me, that's why I was looking at the 5 gallon totes since they would fit a 120 if I made a small cutout. Also what are the best tools to have in the truck when running a trapline of fewer than 200 traps, also what is the most essential hardware and such to have around such as J hooks, etc. Thanks in advance!

TheYouthTrapper


Dude ask every dang question you got and I'll try to at least link you to info that will help smile ! We need as much young blood as possible so let em rip !

Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612282
06/25/22 08:04 AM
06/25/22 08:04 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,717
Maine
M
Mac Offline
trapper
Mac  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,717
Maine
Originally Posted by TheYouthTrapper
I only have 3 seasons under my belt and only have one local trapper, but I think I would run out of breath if I had to ask him all these questions. What is the best lure for muskrats, what is better a trapping bag or a pack basket, and what is the most cost-effective kill box for 120 conibears, I have been looking at small 5-gallon totes and the newspaper tubes but the tubes run at around 15-20$ and the shipping cost would kill me, that's why I was looking at the 5 gallon totes since they would fit a 120 if I made a small cutout. Also what are the best tools to have in the truck when running a trapline of fewer than 200 traps, also what is the most essential hardware and such to have around such as J hooks, etc. Thanks in advance!

TheYouthTrapper


What is the best lure for muskrat? I suggest that if you buy a lure from a lure maker that actually has trapped, they will have a decent lure. You will find through trial and error what works well for you.
As for commercial lures: I would be surprised if you did not have good to excellent luck using Dobbins, O'Gorman's, Night Owl's, Grawe's, Marsyada's, Hawbaker's, Minnesota Trapline products etc.
If possible, talk to the lure maker. A lot of lures have been and are made by lure makers that have never trapped or have trapped darn few critters that they may make a lure for. Sad but true.

I have not used it for a lot of years, but at one time Carman had two lures in his original line that were as good as any I have bought.

Boxes for the 120 body grip. In the past, before the liberal IFW took over Maine, I used a lot of wood boxes with 120s or 5x5. Easy to make, depending on what you use for material, not too expensive.
Look at the archives and past posts for fisher and marten and you will find plenty of explanations and pictures of various styles of boxes. You did not say what you were considering trapping with the 120s. I do not think you have marten or fisher. I would suggest you use great care and caution as to where you set any kill style trap. I personally wouldn't want to attempt to harvest raccoon with this set up. I have done it so have others, but there are too many draw backs for this type of set up on raccoon. If you are thinking of mink, I suggest learning to pocket set and blind set them first.

"Also what are the best tools to have in the truck when running a trapline of fewer than 200 traps, also what is the most essential hardware and such to have around such as J hooks, etc. Thanks in advance!"
That could be quite a list. That list could be different for a guy running traps in Northern Maine compared to a guy running a line in say Ohio. I personally cannot see wanting to be messing around with J hooks etc. or any other hardware while on a line, unless you are hooking up drowning rigs. All tinkering ought to be accomplished in the shop and off season. Develop methods that you will not be monkeying around with hardware while on the line.

"what is better a trapping bag or a pack basket,"
Consider where you are at and what you are on.

If you are close to the road where you can be observed, if you are walking back in, is it hunting season? Are you out of sight 10 steps from the road or in view for a 15 minute walk? All of that plays into what you use. Do not get so caught up in gadgets. Go light as possible.



Hope this somewhat helpful.

Mac

Last edited by Mac; 06/26/22 03:45 PM. Reason: Forgot a question


Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612370
06/25/22 10:45 AM
06/25/22 10:45 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,548
Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB Offline
trapper
SNIPERBBB  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,548
Rodney,Ohio
What kind of situations are you wanting to lure muskrats? Traditional trapping on the muskrat huts, the only lure you need there is some fresh mud pulled from the bottom smeared above your trap is all you need. Creek/pond trapping where you dont have huts to trap, I like a muskrat gland lure though with prices of glands vs price of rats thats almost a waste of money there. Pretty much any raccoon food lure or bait works well, unless your trying not to catch coons.

Whats the purpose of your "kill box" for the 120s? Are you actually making sets with them or using it to dispatch critters? These are too big for 120s but for 160s/220s the square buckets you get for cat litter and other products are perfect for them. You can make some cubbies out of 1x2, or 1x1 wire if you wanted to be really light weight.

As for tools, never leave the house without a good knife, a quality multitool like SOG or Leatherman. A j-hook tool like Ron Marsh's, lineman's pliers(if you plan to use earth anchors or snares get a pair that has the ACSE jaws so it can cut cable as regular jaws dont do it), cable cutters are absolutely necessary if your snaring. The aforementioned linesmans pliers do not do the job if you have to release something or after a dispatch the snare is often too tight to cut without using the cutters. A catch pole is always good, usually have 2 or 3 on the truck.

Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612423
06/25/22 12:52 PM
06/25/22 12:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
B
Bob Offline
trapper
Bob  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,960
Northern Nevada
I’ve never used lure for muskrat. They’re easy enough to catch in blind sets, no need to spend money on lure.

I prefer a back basket for all my traps, tools and gear, and a separate tool bag for my baits and lures.

Tools, good pair of pliers, roll of mechanics wire, short handled shovel or trowel, good hefty hammer, driver for the stakes you use. That’s about all I keep in the pickup for on the line use. The tools I use tuning and tweaking are too numerous to list lol as for j-hooks and other hardware, I always take inventory of what got broke during season and order enough to replace it. I don’t have a bunch of extra hardware laying around. But I have enough traps that if something gets messed up bad i just throw it in the “Needs fixin” pile and grab a fresh one to replace it. If you need to be able to fix traps on the fly I might have a few swivels and jhooks but you’re gonna find that those don’t fail very often. You’ll get bent pans and dogs more often, and that’s what you carry the good pliers for, just bend em back.

The rest of the questions I don’t know the answer to so I’ll let someone who does address them.

Last edited by Bob; 06/25/22 12:53 PM.

"I have two guns, one for each of ya."
Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612658
06/25/22 06:55 PM
06/25/22 06:55 PM
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
T
TheYouthTrapper Offline OP
trapper
TheYouthTrapper  Offline OP
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T

Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
Thank you for all the replies, I'm going to be trapping mink with the 120s since all my 110s are going into muskrat sets this year. I'm going to be running a water line mainly this year. Just trying to get my poop in a group before the season and school year hits.

Last edited by TheYouthTrapper; 06/25/22 06:55 PM.
Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612666
06/25/22 07:14 PM
06/25/22 07:14 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,871
NNY
0
080808 Online content
trapper
080808  Online Content
trapper
0

Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,871
NNY
Be prepared. Good thinking.

Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612771
06/25/22 10:05 PM
06/25/22 10:05 PM
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 88
Piscataquis County, ME
M
Mainelogger Offline
trapper
Mainelogger  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 88
Piscataquis County, ME
In Maine I'm forced to have any bodygrips over 5 inches recessed in boxes called "lynx exclusion devices" which are just over complicated boxes that fit the MIFW dimensions. We make them from wood or wire fencing and what I have found to be the easiest way to make boxes is 3/8 plywood and a bradnail gun.

Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612873
06/26/22 07:00 AM
06/26/22 07:00 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,548
Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB Offline
trapper
SNIPERBBB  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,548
Rodney,Ohio
Originally Posted by TheYouthTrapper
Thank you for all the replies, I'm going to be trapping mink with the 120s since all my 110s are going into muskrat sets this year. I'm going to be running a water line mainly this year. Just trying to get my poop in a group before the season and school year hits.



Sounds like you've got s good pop of rats. I think i got 4 doz 110/150s and lucky to get a dozen out at a time specifically for rats. Just not enough den set scenarios here outside of pond dams.

Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612894
06/26/22 07:35 AM
06/26/22 07:35 AM
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 964
Warren County, PA
CountryCletus Offline
trapper
CountryCletus  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 964
Warren County, PA
Originally Posted by TheYouthTrapper
Thank you for all the replies, I'm going to be trapping mink with the 120s since all my 110s are going into muskrat sets this year. I'm going to be running a water line mainly this year. Just trying to get my poop in a group before the season and school year hits.



A darn good trapper once taught me that a rounded trigger was the ticket on mink. You may want to try bending a few of your triggers around a 2” pipe and see if you have any different success…

Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7612896
06/26/22 07:37 AM
06/26/22 07:37 AM
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 964
Warren County, PA
CountryCletus Offline
trapper
CountryCletus  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 964
Warren County, PA
As far a lures go- Paul Dobbins is probably one of the nicest and most helpful guys out there! Heck- he was even giving me advice on making MY OWN lure!

Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: SNIPERBBB] #7613254
06/26/22 03:50 PM
06/26/22 03:50 PM
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
T
TheYouthTrapper Offline OP
trapper
TheYouthTrapper  Offline OP
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Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
Yeah, I already have 4 spots on onx marked out for them and I haven't even started looking that hard yet. I have the ability to get 154 traps out, so I hope to get 50-75 rats every check. I'll have to bait my conibears though since I can't find runs to save my life.

Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: CountryCletus] #7613257
06/26/22 03:52 PM
06/26/22 03:52 PM
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
T
TheYouthTrapper Offline OP
trapper
TheYouthTrapper  Offline OP
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Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
Yeah, I was talking to a guy at a convention that had rounded triggers on his 110s and said he caught mink with them all the time. I also just bought a lot of gear from a guy and it has a lot of mink pans in it too, so I'll probably try a few of each. Yeah, I've heard stories about Paul too, and that he was a pretty good guy.

Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7614035
06/27/22 04:01 PM
06/27/22 04:01 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,968
Peoria County Illinois
Larry Baer Offline
trapper
Larry Baer  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,968
Peoria County Illinois
Carmen's Hudson Seal- best rat lure I ever used.

If you can find a Bob Best trap bender it will save you in the long run. You can make your own ''J'' hooks out of nails. Make your own swivels

Tools can vary for all of us. I like a tile spade good and sharp, pliers for wire, that's it for water trapping. Cary two pairs of pliers.

Make your own circle triggers- go to a craft store and get some green wire for making floral displays. Get the smallest they have. Make your triggers for your 120 traps in the shape of a circle. Cut off the bot 1/3 of the circle. Wrap on end of the florist wire around one side of the bottom of your trigger wire- you might need to bugger it up a little with your pliers to make the green wire stay on it. Wire that end tight. The make the 1/3 of the bottom of your circle with your green wire and wrap the tail around the other side of the trigger tightly but don't twist it too tight because it will break. This end will come off when you catch something. All you do it put it back on after a catch. If you wire both sides tight one will break off then you have do it all over again.

[Linked Image]

they get their legs in this small wire and that moves the trigger. One thing I do that most people will not is to wax my body traps for mink. I use BMI 110 Mag traps. 120 body grippers would be pretty sketchy if they were waxed- because how are you going to get one off your hand if you get caught in it? Wax makes these things super touchy so do not wax something if you can't get yourself out of it.

Make the trigger about the size of a pop can. Get some holders like in this picture and set these in the grassy trails along streams that the mink use. Just put it like this so they will try to push right through the circle and get caught. Don't try to over think it. Set our 110 traps like this if it's legal and you won't be sorry.
[Linked Image]
You'll get some rats like this too.
[Linked Image] [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

The only way you are going to gain knowledge is to ask so ask all you want.


Just passin through
Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7614038
06/27/22 04:02 PM
06/27/22 04:02 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,968
Peoria County Illinois
Larry Baer Offline
trapper
Larry Baer  Offline
trapper

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,968
Peoria County Illinois
You have to move rat traps every day when you are catching them to keep catching them. You can run them twice a day if you want to and the rats are running.


Just passin through
Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: Larry Baer] #7614081
06/27/22 05:30 PM
06/27/22 05:30 PM
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
T
TheYouthTrapper Offline OP
trapper
TheYouthTrapper  Offline OP
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T

Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
Thank you so much for the advice, I was looking at that bender and just thought it was a gimmick. Now that I know someone that has dealt with it, I'll look more into it. I planned to run mink boxes but I have priced it out every which way and it isn't looking too good.

Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: TheYouthTrapper] #7614613
06/28/22 12:10 PM
06/28/22 12:10 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat Offline
trapper
bctomcat  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
Originally Posted by TheYouthTrapper
I planned to run mink boxes but I have priced it out every which way and it isn't looking too good.
Build your own using scrap lumber or plywood:

Dimensions: For 5/8 or 3/4 inch lumber or plywood
Bottom 8” x 18”
Top 8” x 14”
Sides 6 ½” x 14”

Inside Dimensions
Width: 6 ¾ inches
Height: 6 ½ “
Notes:

1. Use restricted blackened lid cover with 2 ½” diameter hole for mink. Mink are attracted to round holes and this size hole will also restrict barn cats when trapping farm areas but allow mink and marten entrance into the box. Restricted entrance hole also helpful in keeping fisher out of marten sets, where required.

2. Cut spring slots to 9” depth within 5” of back of box so that trap can be set within four inches of the bait at back of box. Spring slot width is 1 inch.

3. Two 2 ½ inch finish nails up thru bottom of box at the back to impale bait on.

4. Wire mess for back of box for air/scent flow, see through effect and bird bait access.



[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.






Re: I have a lot of questions [Re: bctomcat] #7614686
06/28/22 02:25 PM
06/28/22 02:25 PM
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
T
TheYouthTrapper Offline OP
trapper
TheYouthTrapper  Offline OP
trapper
T

Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,295
South Dakota
Will they climb through that hole? I always built the open-faced ones because I thought they wouldn't go through the hole. Sadly I can't find any used plywood around otherwise it wouldn't be an issue.

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