I have trapped in some way or another, be it fur trapping or now nuisance trapping for 46 years straight. I don't really fur trap now, due to making enough money at work to be comfortable and by November I am worn out from working 2 jobs (I run a NWCO business as a side business). Also the money it not there to get me out to trap for fur now. I did trap coyotes for fun last year while nuisance trapping beaver and got 7 in 12 days on 2 sections, had a blast.

If I had a buddy ask me to go and he agreed to skin I might think about it LOL

Are you scared of getting stranded somewhere and run out of party members to eat?
Get out there man. Life is for living, not just thinking about it.

I have trapped every year for the last 12 or so, even if it was just for a few days. Now i have finally moved to an area i can trap out my back door, critters are worthless and gas is through the roof. Ill set out a few yote sets close to home this year to have the boy who is 3 check them with me before daycare. I think ill need 5 dollar carcass coon and 3 dollar gas before ill make a coon set. If you tried charging to catch coon here, you would get laughed off the property and theyll just put out the coke and golden malrin before you were out of sight.

I’ve longlined mixed water animals for 33 years. We have always focused on mink and beaver. I will continue this as long as I’m able. I have started reaching into the K9 world last year and will continue that as well.

Like it is my job.

I do just not like I used to but I catch a few of just about everything the area has to offer as well as more beaver then I really want to deal with to help my farmer friends, seems every creek, stream or river has a good population and even some farm ponds, just wish they were worth the effort

I trap nuisance beaver for a few towns…and Iam on the NH F&G list for nuisance beaver trapping….So they hand my name out. I get paid to trap now. Chased mink,muskrat,otter,fisher ,beaver …when it was worth it. Just a hobby trapper. But can’t give up the beaver game ! I’ve shown what I’ve learned to a few youngsters…and that’s a lot of fun. I’ve always stayed in the water…except for fisher.

I enjoy trapping...

Every year for the last 50 years in one fashion or another. Now mostly beaver then mink. I will rough up the coon as needed, and hammer them when I can make a $ on them. Have made many friends I look forward to seeing every summer at the conventions!! Trapping is the glue for some long term friendships!

I wont go out of state this year. I wear out faster now but I am still at it.

Most certainly... not sure why some days when my back hurts so bad I want to cry. I trace back to my 4th great grandfather as far as trapping goes and he was a professional hunter/trapper. This will be my 76th years at it. I used to trap a lot of canines and still have that in my blood, but it hurts too much.

BUT... last Monday I got a call from one of the golf courses I trap each year. They had a momma and 3 pup red foxes that loved to tear up the greens on the course and wondered if I could help them do something about them. I told them I would give it some thought and call them back. After thinking about it for about an hour I got in the car and went to the course.

There is a narrow strip of woods that runs along where 3 of the greens are that they are having a problem. I spent about an hour walking the woods trying to find the den. I found what appeared to be 2 dens about 75 yards apart. The largest den is about 15 feet back in the woods and about 20 yards from the green that has been attacked the most. I had brought along a couple of #2 coils and 4 snares. The biggest joke is, although I had made the snares in 2013, I had only ever set but one for a coon, but never caught anything.

By the time I found the den I was wore out and couldn't find a good place to make a good dirt hole set. So, I decided to set a couple of snares. After walking about 75 yards looking for a good trail or path to set the snares, I couldn't find any. So, my experience and common sense told me if you can't find a place from the outside looking... go inside and look out. I went into where the den was and got down on one knee and pretended, I was a fox looking to go out to the green. Strangely enough I saw 2 avenues that looked good to me. It took a little additional blocking, but I made my first 2 snare sets for canine.

The first check: 1 red fox pup in the first set and the second set had closed down like something had brushed by it.

The second check: We had rain and wind during late afternoon before and messed up the loops. I made a dirt hole set close to snare sets inside the woods.

The third check: 2 small coons. One in snare and other in #2 at dirt hole. Pulled #2... reset other set with new snare.

The fourth check: 1 red fox pup in snare. I have now caught a fox in both of the snare sets, on paths that weren't there, but I saw them anyway.

So, to answer the question... yes, I am still a trapper and still trying new things when the call demands it.

Garry-

I do part time. Sometimes I get pretty serious about it.

For sure not as much as did in the 70's but still set some every year. My mind says go for it and my body says you are gonna pay for this.

just nuisance beavers for the town i work full time for and a few neighbors & friends. i'd love to run a coyote/fox line again but no way for the low prices paid.

I do. I shoot more than I trap. I’d do more while out shooting but due to Minnesotas policies most states I shoot in don’t reciprocate trapping, nor should they.

Osky

I caught a coon today.

It's a lazy man that can't get his wife a second line.

Been doing it since I got the bug in 1961. I have lived the dream that some might think about doing one day.

Caught my first fox in 1965. Still trap every year but haven't trapped out of state for a few years due to my wifes' health.

Lots of rubber on the road since those early years. Trapping for 60 years now. What a ride it has been.

Why would you be in this forum if you don’t trap?

While I took a heap of taunting in my earlier days cause I wasn't a boozer, druggie, smoker, or a party on the weekend kinda dude, (I was usually trapping or hunting or fishing)....
Now I'm 53 years into being a trapper at this point...
with great knees
solid elbows
all major body organs clicking along at 100%
and a brain I keep tuned up with reading material every day.

People forget that old adage;
Garbage in
Garbage out.

If longevity is a life goal, it's better to have;
Healthy In
Healthy Out

I wanted to trap for 80-90 years as a young boy and I still have that goal so I treat the bodily engine and all its components as if they need to last a century.

The good don't die young.
They keep trapping while the rest of the herd is laid up, stove up, stacked up, crippled up, or dead.


Blessings fellow trappers!
Mark

I'm in school from late August until late May and trap the season from November 1st until April 30th. I can run up to 150 rat traps if my amount of time after school allows it. I'm hoping to catch 300 rats and my first coyote this season.