If so, how safe do you feel doing it?

It's different than Nebraska.

I worked down by Del Rio once and there were 20 of us armed with shovels and axes, accompanied by an armed Border Patrol agent and I still didn't feel safe. Dump me off naked in the middle of the Bob Marshall anytime but that SW Texas stuff wasn't for me.

I have had more instances with border patrol than illegals.

no snow and feb cats bring good money when the market is there

I live in AZ. My wife just read to me how many illegals were apprehended in the last few months. Disgusting. I would love to hunt and trap more, in the units near the border, but I can’t concentrate on 4 legged creatures, when I’m constantly looking over my shoulder for 2 legged creatures.

Had a few scary moments

we have no southern border...

Never had any problems with our southern border. In fact, I like Iowa for the most part.

I trap the border area for months per year and it's hard to describe to the average trapper.
The trapping.
The weather pattern.
The habitat.
The critters and how they act.

I'm typically the 4th trapper to be brought in after others have had a whack at the dogs and cats with because my daily rate is on the level of my trapping being a service, not a road trip or a hobby.
The hired hand has had a go at 'em.
The USDA many times has been there with M44's and such.
The per animal trapper has had a go almost everywhere I've ever trapped.
Then me.
I'm pricey because like the plumber, welder, trim-carpenter and other vocations who are priced at their expertise, I come in with the aim to increase prey species density. NOT to trap coyotes.
There's a big difference.

My eyes on the ground does include safety concerns for drug runners and human traffickers especially near the border.
I've trapped south TX for 18 years this year and it has gotten much different during this time.
The types of people crossing haven't changed much but those escorting them sure have.

How sad that fools today holler all about past human travesties while they live during this time >>>> where 200 years from now >>>> people will holler about today's fools who turn a blind eye and cast their hard hearts to human suffering now. Every generation falsely claims they are righteous and those who came before them were unrighteous. Ah, no. All are fallen.

But I enjoy the people and the work and sell every bobcat caught during spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Blessings!
Mark

This cat from the north?
South Texas cats never have the western hue on their flanks.
They're darker.
I haven't ever trapped up near the northern panhandle of Texas so maybe they're lighter backs up that way?
These are Rio Grande Valley area kitties.

Seen a guy in a green uniform run out in the two track i was on. At first I thought it was a game warden. Asked if I was the trapper. Him and his partner were burying a sensor when a cat on a drag lunged at them. I walked around the mesquite and his partner was pointing a large caliber handgun at my cat. dont shoot i says and he replies that thing is crazy. I says i will take care of it. His partner was teasing him pretty bad about that. Every time I have encountered them since.

Had one step on a trap and got it caught on his boot. Scared him and jumped back and was tripped. Their supervisor came by camp and wanted to take pictures of traps to show them. I had to explain they were buried and they wouldnt see them anyway.

Ran into a couple one day and told them about some sign I seen at a spring where water jugs were being filled. Showed them on their map where. No spring there he says. Had to take them and show them.

If you want to have some fun when you see the plane run and crawl under your pick up.


Mark, what are you talking about in the panhandle? Get you a map. Aint no border there.

When I see folks shaded up waiting for dark and sometimes walking in daylight i call border patrol. they know me now. show up pretty quick. good bunch of guys. They liked Trump and despise Biden. at least the ones i know.

Illegals are not hiding now. they dont get turned back. just have to pay whatever drug gang owns the border where they cross. sometimes the fee is to mule drugs. drug mules are protected by armed gangsters. you see men with backpacks and duffle bags escorted by men with guns, its like finding a rattler. use your head. dont stir them up. they dont want to be seen. they are dangerous

I did a control job near Bracketville Tx. and saw human tracks in our vehicle tracks every day. There was new trash, clothes and back packs every day. I wouldn't do it without a pistol on my hip and a partner. I took the keys out every time we got out of the vehicle. I had 3 traps stepped on by illegals, one in the middle of the road and two on inside curves, I bet they were surprised. We were only 10 or 15 miles off the border and had lots of traffic.

X2

I thought the southern border was the Mason-Dixon line