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Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677250
09/23/22 07:16 AM
09/23/22 07:16 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,835
Pa
W
Wright Brothers Offline
trapper
Wright Brothers  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,835
Pa
Hi Barry.
Glad my Grandpap did not sell out.
When he found out I was trapping he broke out (I didn't know he had em)
his and I went from 3 traps to instant long liner (in my mind lol).
Of course in those days everything was hoarded.





Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677256
09/23/22 07:24 AM
09/23/22 07:24 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,324
Hancock Co., Indiana
Kart29 Offline
trapper
Kart29  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,324
Hancock Co., Indiana
I decided to give it up last year. I was going to take a break and not even set out any coyote traps. Instead I just took my sons down to the ditch and helped them catch some muskrats. Turns out I enjoyed that more than any other season of trapping I've had. No real hard work, no pressure - just having fun with it and watching my sons' experiences. Good stuff.


What from Christ that soul can sever,
Bound by everlasting bands?
None shall take thee
From the Strength of Israel's hands.

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677270
09/23/22 07:38 AM
09/23/22 07:38 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,599
Port Jervis, NY
B
beachcomber13 Offline
trapper
beachcomber13  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,599
Port Jervis, NY
Can't say I'd blame you, Barry. Other than a few beaver for meat, I haven't trapped the last 3 seasons. But, like already said, doesn't hurt to keep all of my gear stored away so I'm prepared for the next (wishful thinking) fur boom.

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677278
09/23/22 08:02 AM
09/23/22 08:02 AM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
D
DWC Offline
trapper
DWC  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,420
SE SD
With the doom and gloom of the market, i wont try to change your mind. Seen many people on here say over the years they would trap no matter the prices, but now im seeing how most just put out a few sets to teach kids or say they trapped. I will put out a few sets fir both reasons. 50 traps would be sufficient for that. Sell traps buy guns. At least you can enjoy the guns and should a fur boom present itself, the guns wont drop in value.

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677286
09/23/22 08:12 AM
09/23/22 08:12 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 584
KY
L
learch Offline
trapper
learch  Offline
trapper
L

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 584
KY
I say quit. Why do it if you don’t have it you.

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677295
09/23/22 08:19 AM
09/23/22 08:19 AM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,150
Tennessee
Scuba1 Offline
"color blind Kraut"
Scuba1  Offline
"color blind Kraut"

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,150
Tennessee
Traps , like guns are a funny thing. If you sell them its a good feeling at the moment. Then some time down the line you regret having done it. Almost always. But I guess it is an experience that most of us have to make to find out what its like.


Let's go Brandon

"Shall not comply" with morons who don't understand "shall not infringe."
Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677301
09/23/22 08:30 AM
09/23/22 08:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,526
MN
D
Donnersurvivor Offline
trapper
Donnersurvivor  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,526
MN
If I'm going to lose money doing something it's going to be shooting birds. That said I'm keeping the traps because in an emergency there is no better way to quickly gather food.

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677303
09/23/22 08:32 AM
09/23/22 08:32 AM
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10,723
SW Georgia
W
Wanna Be Offline
trapper
Wanna Be  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: May 2018
Posts: 10,723
SW Georgia
First of all what kind of traps do you have? If you have to be “convinced” of something then you’ve already made up your mind. I don’t blame you fur trappers for quitting. It’s hard work, early early mornings and late evenings. I’m sure there’s other things you could do that’s more beneficial for your time. Post a list of what you’ve got!!

I personally never really thought about trapping since I was a kid. I was voluntold I was going to start trapping a place and was somewhat successful and then word got out. Now I have more places to trap than I can actually trap, lol. Limit it to 3-4 properties to let me fit it in 24hrs and about 7 months of the year. All mine is management purposes only. It is satisfying of getting a critter to step on a 1.5” or so circle, lol. Also satisfying in getting paid to make him do it.

So post up what you got!!

Last edited by Wanna Be; 09/23/22 08:33 AM.
Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677312
09/23/22 08:47 AM
09/23/22 08:47 AM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,263
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,263
james bay frontierOnt.
If you give it up altogether and get rid of all your traps and equipment,,chances are high that you will never trap again no matter where the market goes.

Keep that in mind before you make the decision.

Last edited by Boco; 09/23/22 08:49 AM.

Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677320
09/23/22 08:57 AM
09/23/22 08:57 AM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,895
michigan,USA
S
seniortrap Offline
trapper
seniortrap  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,895
michigan,USA
I'm in a position to sell a few and keep some. The idea of selling all is not too appealing.

I'll trap a few muskrats this fall and vacuum pack them for higher prices down the road.


Vietnam--1967 46th. Const./Combat Engineers

"Chaotic action is preferable to orderly inaction."
"After the first shot, all plans go out the window!"
Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677321
09/23/22 08:58 AM
09/23/22 08:58 AM
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,198
WISCONSIN
W
Wild_WI Offline
trapper
Wild_WI  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,198
WISCONSIN
If you got DPs I'd be interested pm me

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677388
09/23/22 10:34 AM
09/23/22 10:34 AM
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,665
PA
W
w side rd 151 Offline
trapper
w side rd 151  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,665
PA
In the early 1990's I got a new box of 1 dozen of 1.5 &1.75 Victor coil springs plus a dozen Victor conibear 110 'S They where all new in a box. I bought them off of someone that was getting out of trapping and was looking to sell all of his gear to one person and be done with it ..Included with the 3 boxes of new traps where and assortment of used traps ,lures pack baskets and related trapping items . The assorted traps included about 6 330 conibear traps, several # 3 & #4 double long springs and a similar amount of #3 & #4 coil spring traps . Also I got about 60 used traps that where in the 1.5,1.75 ,2.0 and #1 longspring size And there where about 6 or 8 older type traps that had at least some collector value At the time I had a good supply of my own trapping gear and was not inclined to add to it .I told the guy that was trying to get me to buy his stuff that I was not really planning on adding more gear at the time .By that time the fur market crash in 1987 was still floundering and I was barley doing any trapping due to low prices and no one to sell to .From 1988 through 1992 i did little trapping and at least 2 of those years did not trap .Those where the only years that I dis not trap from the 1960's to last year Anyway I paid less than$300 hundred for all the items I got .Fast forward to March of this year 2022 after again not setting traps due to low prices and some increasing health problems I set about .downsizing my trapping gear So I had 3 boxes of brand new traps plus about 150 to 200 used traps that I had not used since I acquired than in the 1990.s Plus I had another 100 or so that were my user traps since I renewed my trapping efforts in 1994 until just a year ago .The new Victor 1.5 had been priced at 32.50 based on the price written on the box.The 1.75 Victors where priced from new at 37.00 and the 110 Victor conibears where marked at $29 I priced them at $180.00 for all of the traps ..That was about 50 dollars less than what the trap supply places where charging at the time And there was no shipping charge or tax So just by buying them 20 plus years ago and keeping them so they did not rust up I made at least double what I paid for them I still have more than enough traps to put out a line that would be comparable to what I have trapped in the past .The morale to my story is right now with fur prices so low it is way more profitable to sell traps than it is to trap for fur But I agree with those that say unless you are certain that you are done trapping forever keep some so you can just start back up .if you want too .And if my health was better I would still be planning to at least make some attempt at putting out a line .

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: Mac] #7677405
09/23/22 11:02 AM
09/23/22 11:02 AM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 284
Montana/Florida
G
Gene Dziza Offline
trapper
Gene Dziza  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 284
Montana/Florida
What Mac says is the absolute truth Barry. Your life changes. I sold 90%of my stuff 10 years ago. Now I have more time. I’m buying traps for I hate to think how many times what I sold mine for. I don’t need the money and I have more time, two necessary components for trapping today. I’m not sure I have more time, but I do have the flexibility to make the time. Somebody mentioned that stored traps don’t eat and that is a sage observation. I told my wife, I can’t wait to see the look on my accountants face when I explain the expenses to him. But, I wonder how anyone can get started in this now! When I started, I had no money, but I could justify the expenditures as an income source. Now I rely more on a loss. The cost of supplies and fuel are rough.

Be careful in your decision. I wish you the best Barry.

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677408
09/23/22 11:04 AM
09/23/22 11:04 AM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,236
West Michigan
G
Getting There Offline
trapper
Getting There  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,236
West Michigan
Scale back a little, we all need something to look forward every day. JMO


To Old
U.S. Army 60-63 SGT.
Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677434
09/23/22 11:46 AM
09/23/22 11:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,932
NY
R
Rat_Pack Offline
trapper
Rat_Pack  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,932
NY
Getting rid of your traps and never getting back in the game is a load of bs. You can go to any convention and buy used traps for cheap or go on the Trapshed and find a good deal. If you want to sell out, then you should...you already have offers from buyers

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: USMC47 🦫] #7677460
09/23/22 12:16 PM
09/23/22 12:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,895
pennsylvania 28 yrs old
B
barry leroy Offline OP
trapper
barry leroy  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,895
pennsylvania 28 yrs old
It's going good. I don't know what I want to do it just gets sickening trying to keep at it sometimes. But I do love doing it.

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677465
09/23/22 12:25 PM
09/23/22 12:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,895
pennsylvania 28 yrs old
B
barry leroy Offline OP
trapper
barry leroy  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,895
pennsylvania 28 yrs old
I think I'm gonna keep everything. Like previously said they ain't costing me anything sitting in the shed.
I plan to put a few out this year due to a friend wanting to learn I'll be teaching him a few things.
Plus like also said before they are another way to catch food if the need arises
Thanks everyone for the advice.

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677466
09/23/22 12:26 PM
09/23/22 12:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 360
monadnock region New Hampshire
nh toe pincher Offline
trapper
nh toe pincher  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 360
monadnock region New Hampshire
ill tell you what really sickens me, my statement showed up in the mailbox yesterday showing my retirement fund. UGH!!!! mad

Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677476
09/23/22 12:41 PM
09/23/22 12:41 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
If it doesn’t bring you joy to be out on the line then you shouldn’t be doing it. The truth of it is I don’t ever see the vast majority of fur trappers ever being able to make any money trapping. In fact I expect to lose money this year, and I definitely will never make the kind of money I could if I had invested the same time and effort into a second job. So if it’s about the money to you, quit right now and get a second job waiting tables or something cause it’ll be more profitable.

For me, I love being out on the line. I will never sell any traps, except to sell the ones I don’t like to buy different ones. I haven’t set a beaver trap in a long time, but I still have every beaver trap I ever bought. There have been years where my coyote traps sat in the shed and never got touched, for one reason or another, but I won’t sell them, because I know there will be years when the stars all align and I’ll get to run them all.

You do what is right for you. I wouldn’t sell em all just yet though. Hang em up in the shed for a few years. If you still have no desire to trap after that, then sell em. If you decide you want to again at some point though it’ll be a very costly endeavor to replace them


"I have two guns, one for each of ya."
Re: Thinking about giving it up. [Re: barry leroy] #7677482
09/23/22 12:49 PM
09/23/22 12:49 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,135
Armpit, ak
D
Dirt Offline
trapper
Dirt  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,135
Armpit, ak
Apparently, business trappers ain't real trappers. I'd quit for awhile, or cut way back. It is called " smart business". I wouldn't sell your gear. Unfortunately, you will now be a a hobby trapper for awhile. I wouldn't kill myself for a hobby.


Who is John Galt?
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