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Finally Connected #7786572
01/30/23 12:52 PM
01/30/23 12:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
B
BeardedMOMan Offline OP
trapper
BeardedMOMan  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
I'll try to keep this one short, but daggum it feels good to FINALLY CONNECT! As stated in previous posts, first year trapper with zero trapping experience here and to finally have all of the studying, reading, and hard work come together is a feeling that I'll never forget. Super humbling. What motivated me to begin trapping was watching a big tom bobcat walk behind my blind while deer hunting this year and then coming up with a plan and putting it in place. I've had numerous misses in my first year (prints everywhere but on my pan), trail cam pics and videos of cats walking by sets without committing (frustrating to say the least), and coons and possums plugging my sets and stealing my baits (patience testing). It's been a wild first year but this first cat was worth every second of it. Now, the details on what worked for me.

So like I mentioned, I've had many opportunities but for whatever reason the cat would investigate my sets but at a distance. Typically 3-5ft range with no commitment. This last week though, something changed. I noticed at this specific set where I would harvest this cat there was unusually activity. Cat prints in my set but not on my pan. The bush/shrub that the turkey feathers were hanging from over my set were smash down and looked like they were played with. My bait, lure, and feathers were all out of my dirt hole and cat prints all around. So I knew I was on location, just not connecting. I was getting frustrated and decided I'd read through the archives and come up with a plan. My plan was to set two traps at this set, rebait, and funnel pretty hard. That was on Friday. Saturday we checked the trap line and nothing. Traps still set, bait still there, and no activity. Yesterday morning (Sunday) we went to check the trap line and as we started to come up over the ridge, boom, a flash of something trying to escape. Heart racing with excitement as we top the ridge and there it is, a bobcat. I couldn't believe it. The best part of this story is sharing this experience with my 15 year old son and his excitement for seeing a cat in our trap. It was priceless and worth it's weight in gold. The two trap idea worked and I am thankful I decided to run with it even though I was uneasy about it.

Anyway, sorry for rambling on and writing a novel, but I felt led to share and wanted to thank you all once again for the wisdom this page provides. It helped me put together a plan to harvest my first cat in my first season trapping. I couldn't be anymore ecstatic than I am. God bless and have a blessed week all!

Bobcat 1.30.23.jpgBobcatSitting.jpg
Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786574
01/30/23 12:54 PM
01/30/23 12:54 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,366
east central WI
K
k snow Offline
trapper
k snow  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,366
east central WI
Nice cat.

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786579
01/30/23 01:01 PM
01/30/23 01:01 PM
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
Great story and congrats on your first catch And to have your son with you is even better WARNING: trapping can be addicting I have been trapping for more than 50 years And I STILL LEARN SOMETHING NEW ON THIS WEBSITE ON A REGULAR BASIS Good luck.

Last edited by w side rd 151; 01/30/23 01:02 PM.
Re: Finally Connected [Re: w side rd 151] #7786596
01/30/23 01:23 PM
01/30/23 01:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 119
West Virginia
D
DugK Offline
trapper
DugK  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 119
West Virginia
Congrats!!!!
Reminds me of the "A-Team" "I Love It When A Plan Comes Together"

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786597
01/30/23 01:24 PM
01/30/23 01:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,516
La Crosse, WI
Macthediver Offline
trapper
Macthediver  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,516
La Crosse, WI
Congratulations!


Mac


"Never Forget Which Way Is Up"

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786599
01/30/23 01:27 PM
01/30/23 01:27 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,594
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
T
Trapper7 Offline
trapper
Trapper7  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,594
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
I think most new trapper's first catch is a muskrat, possum, weasel, etc. But, a cat is impressive. Congratulations!


I don't care how nice the hand soap smells, you should never walk out of the restroom sniffing your fingers.
Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786600
01/30/23 01:27 PM
01/30/23 01:27 PM
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,661
Iowa
C
CTRAPS Offline
trapper
CTRAPS  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,661
Iowa
Good for you, I'm glad you connected on your bobcat.


Life Member: ITA, IBA & NRA. Member of SA, FTA & NTA
Re: Finally Connected [Re: w side rd 151] #7786602
01/30/23 01:28 PM
01/30/23 01:28 PM
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
B
BeardedMOMan Offline OP
trapper
BeardedMOMan  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
Originally Posted by w side rd 151
Great story and congrats on your first catch And to have your son with you is even better WARNING: trapping can be addicting I have been trapping for more than 50 years And I STILL LEARN SOMETHING NEW ON THIS WEBSITE ON A REGULAR BASIS Good luck.

Thank you. I can see where trapping can be addicting. smile

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786604
01/30/23 01:30 PM
01/30/23 01:30 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,473
West Central MN
20scout Offline
trapper
20scout  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 5,473
West Central MN
No apologies necessary. Very happy to hear you connected and had the pleasure to share it with your son too! Now, get back out there and try for #2!


Common sense is a not a vegetable that does well in everyone's garden.
Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786607
01/30/23 01:32 PM
01/30/23 01:32 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,589
Ohio
N
newtoga Offline
trapper
newtoga  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,589
Ohio
This time of year that location should be good for another cat.


lifetime member NTA, OSTA, GTA
Re: Finally Connected [Re: Trapper7] #7786609
01/30/23 01:34 PM
01/30/23 01:34 PM
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
B
BeardedMOMan Offline OP
trapper
BeardedMOMan  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
Originally Posted by Trapper7
I think most new trapper's first catch is a muskrat, possum, weasel, etc. But, a cat is impressive. Congratulations!

Thank you. At the start of trapping season we were catching coons and possums at a crazy rate. Some days we'd have 2 coons or 2 possums on our lines. Getting those critters out of the equation really has helped keep the trap line free and unclogged for the most part, but it sure is nice to see something in your trap that isn't Ricky the Raccoon or Possum Pete.

Re: Finally Connected [Re: newtoga] #7786610
01/30/23 01:36 PM
01/30/23 01:36 PM
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
B
BeardedMOMan Offline OP
trapper
BeardedMOMan  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
Originally Posted by newtoga
This time of year that location should be good for another cat.

Going back out today and setting another flashy set in that exact location.

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786621
01/30/23 01:54 PM
01/30/23 01:54 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,279
texas
L
la4wd54 Offline
trapper
la4wd54  Offline
trapper
L

Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,279
texas
Congrats

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786622
01/30/23 01:57 PM
01/30/23 01:57 PM
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 146
WI
W
Wptourist Offline
trapper
Wptourist  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 146
WI
Awesome job and way to keep at it. Nice cat

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786624
01/30/23 01:59 PM
01/30/23 01:59 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
M
martentrapper Offline
trapper
martentrapper  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
Add snares to your inventory if legal. Helps with the picky critters.

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786630
01/30/23 02:03 PM
01/30/23 02:03 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,928
La.
G
Gator Foot Offline
trapper
Gator Foot  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,928
La.
(I’ll try to keep this one short) Dang! I hate to see a long one! grin Anyway! Great looking cat!! Congratulations!!

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786633
01/30/23 02:05 PM
01/30/23 02:05 PM
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 839
Colorado
Raptortrapper Offline
trapper
Raptortrapper  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 839
Colorado
Well done! My first was a fox, and was caught on my first night. I had wanted to learn trapping since I was a kid, but never had anyone to teach me till I was 43. Getting that first one is such a reward!


Why do I carry 10mm? Because shooting twice is just silly.
Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786674
01/30/23 03:10 PM
01/30/23 03:10 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
Congrats beardedman-the pic says it all.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786688
01/30/23 03:37 PM
01/30/23 03:37 PM
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,712
NW Mo
M
Michael Lippold Offline
trapper
Michael Lippold  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,712
NW Mo
Congrats I hope it’s the first of many

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786692
01/30/23 03:39 PM
01/30/23 03:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 7,217
W NY
Turtledale Offline
trapper
Turtledale  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 7,217
W NY
Congratulations way to stick it out. The knowledge you gain while trying is with you the rest of your life


NYSTA, NTA, FTA, life member Erie county trappers assn.,life member Catt.county trappers
Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786716
01/30/23 04:10 PM
01/30/23 04:10 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,803
Mn
W
Whopper Stopper Offline
trapper
Whopper Stopper  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,803
Mn
Nice, congratulations.

WS

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786729
01/30/23 04:26 PM
01/30/23 04:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,561
Va. Lee Co.
D
Donnie H Offline
trapper
Donnie H  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,561
Va. Lee Co.
Congrats...

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786731
01/30/23 04:28 PM
01/30/23 04:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 566
MO
D
Dstone1992 Offline
trapper
Dstone1992  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 566
MO
Congratulations!!!!! First year you dog..... I started as small kid took a #2 long spring off the peg board in my grandpa's garage it was the only leg hold trap he owned. It took 2 of us kids to get that thing set. Lol. I had to learn the hard way and I'm glad this site is here because as an adult trying to get into trapping this day in age without resources like tman alot of people would give up. you worked through the speed bumps did your research and kept chugging along and now you are reaping the benefits of your had work!

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786737
01/30/23 04:37 PM
01/30/23 04:37 PM
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 4,378
illinois
J
jalstat Offline
trapper
jalstat  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 4,378
illinois
Great

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786882
01/30/23 07:34 PM
01/30/23 07:34 PM
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 514
wisconsin
M
Muskratwalt Offline
trapper
Muskratwalt  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 514
wisconsin
Congratulations. You are learning fast.


Walt legge
Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786901
01/30/23 07:49 PM
01/30/23 07:49 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,896
Oakland, MS
Drifter Offline
trapper
Drifter  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,896
Oakland, MS
Well done now go get another one.


Some individuals use statistics as a drunk man uses lamp-posts — for support rather than for illumination.

Andrew Lang (1844-1912) Scottish poet, novelist and literary critic









Life member NTA , and GA Trappers assoc .
Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786903
01/30/23 07:52 PM
01/30/23 07:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 9,917
Arkansas
J
J Staton Online content
trapper
J Staton  Online Content
trapper
J

Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 9,917
Arkansas
Beavers and bobcats. Otter next on the list?


James 1: 19-20
Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786927
01/30/23 08:26 PM
01/30/23 08:26 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 7,081
MO
cfowler Offline
trapper
cfowler  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 7,081
MO
Nice job!


I trap for fun. I skin 'em for the money!
Grinners For Life-Lifetime Member, MO Chapter, Den #1
~You Grin, You're In~
Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7786935
01/30/23 08:29 PM
01/30/23 08:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,661
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,661
Minnesota
Congratulations


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Finally Connected [Re: J Staton] #7787262
01/31/23 08:15 AM
01/31/23 08:15 AM
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
B
BeardedMOMan Offline OP
trapper
BeardedMOMan  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
Originally Posted by J Staton
Beavers and bobcats. Otter next on the list?

Funny you say that because otter is on the list, but coyote is next. Otter is more of a landowner wants them out so I will have to do my due diligence on research for those as I know nothing about trapping otters.

Re: Finally Connected [Re: BeardedMOMan] #7787264
01/31/23 08:19 AM
01/31/23 08:19 AM

M
Mark June
Unregistered
Mark June
Unregistered
M



Reset! Great job bearded MO Man!

Blessings,
Mark

Re: Finally Connected [Re: ] #7787385
01/31/23 10:23 AM
01/31/23 10:23 AM
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
B
BeardedMOMan Offline OP
trapper
BeardedMOMan  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 40
Missouri
Originally Posted by Mark June
Reset! Great job bearded MO Man!

Blessings,
Mark

Thank you Mark. I reset, rebaited, and hopefully another cat soon.

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