If you could pass along 1 tip for a new trapper for each species, what would you say?

I realize some target different fur bearers, so I thought I'd list a few species in case someone doesn't target others.

Coyote
Racoon
Fox
Beaver
Mink
Muskrat

Set on sign and make sure your trap is bedded solid.

For fox and coyotes, if an area is good enough to set a trap, set two or three. You can get a double or a triple, or get that shy one to work one of the sets. I like to set a “loud” dirt hole(eye appealing) with bait and lure, a scent post with a dab of gland lure and urine and a subtle dirt hole with fresh frozen mice.

Understand where YOU are int the country and how YOUR animals work.

Don’t just assume that because a bait or lure comes from a “reputable” dealer that’s it’s good. Test for yourself and listen to the animals

Set on sign, bed traps solid, pay extremely close attention to tracks at your sets. The animals will tell you exactly what you did wrong if you slow down and study their tracks close. I never set less than two traps at a location. Sometimes up to five or six. Pan tension is VERY important. Freeze proofing is even more important. You probably don’t get the freeze/thaw all winter long like I do, but when you do it can be very frustrating.

For muskrats, my #1 tip would be bottom edge sets.

My tip on coyotes and foxes would be. Don’t ruin the fun of it worrying about scent and stuff. As said above find a good location and get after them. Good luck

If you are only interested in the "harvesting" aspect of wildlife you will never be as good of a trapper as you could be. Learn as much about your quarry 24/7, 365 as you possibly can................................. the mike

This is good advice. All year round I’m looking at tracks, watching animals in the field, taking notes about what they’re doing and more importantly why they seem to be doing it.

Also, one of my biggest personal hang ups, if you set an area and nothing is happening there, don’t be afraid to cut your losses and pull out of that location. For me it’s tough to do that, I always want to leave the sets in thinking the next check could be it, but most of the time I end up checking empty sets over and over. I don’t know if this is true for most, but for me it seems like 10% of the locations produce 90% of the fur. I’ve got to learn to pull out of the ones that aren’t producing and move on. This season is a great example. I’ve been running around a dozen sets in one canyon trying to catch a bobcat and in that canyon I have caught 7 red fox, 2 grey fox and 2 coyotes. 4 of the reds and one of the greys were all caught in the same trap, I just keep resetting it and it keeps on catching fox. One other set has caught 2 reds and a coyote. The other ten sets combined caught 1 red, 1 grey and 1 coyote between them. Unfortunately none of them cave caught a cat yet lol.

Location and solid bedding are key and like Pawnee says don't sweat the scent stuff and at least two set per location if you have the steel.

Traps hanging in the barn rarely catch anything.

Location and solid beddin. Pay attention to sign. If u get a miss study and learn.

When mink trapping learn the blind set. When I walk to a spot I carry 3-5 Bridger 150’s, equal amount of KB Stabilizers, and a spool of wire. I usually set all the traps within 30’ of each other. bottom edge, middle, high bank, etc. MAKE THEM RUN THE GAUNTLET! Remember too that a good mink set on the first day of the season is just as good on the last day.

Location for sure. Set on sign, can't catch them if they are not there.

Experience is the best teacher. The more u put into it the more you will learn