So I was pondering this the other day. Is a great trapper better than everyone else or are they better communicators and very social at getting lots of
land to trap? Some trappers I know are very backword and shy and have a hard time trying to knock on doors. I was thinking a top notch trapper in ability
with very limited spots is probably not gonna do as well as a mediocre trapper with lots of access. I know Iowa with the bridges, etc, are different but we
don't have that in Ohio. Just wondering as my farms are getting less and less by the year and of course low fur prices hasn't had me at them like in the past.

Work ethics.

I believe it is a trapper who has the skills and ability to catch the trap shy animals and be able to successfully trap in any weather conditions. It is skill above most and a mindset that they can catch the fur even if it has just rained three inches or hasn't been above freezing for two weeks. I would think much more of a trapper who went in on 300 acres during a week of wet weather and took all four coyotes living in the area. Big numbers dont necessarily mean big expertise.

Attention to detail, standardized equipment, mental toughness, lots of energy and drive....About half crazy doesn't hurt either.

work ethics for big catchs but i respect ethics in general more than big catchs. A pretty famous trapper in the boom years got ran out of KS. i like the trapper who doesn't steal. respects the animals. respects private property. Those things can be part of the guy driven for numbers but it unfortunately isnt always the case

Keen observation, willingness to learn from mistakes and try new things(experiment), tenacity

Fur trapper = big numbers
Adc guy= being able to out smart the tough ones
Lot of skill sets go into both
As far as getting permission that's part of the game for Fur trapping, forget social skills/ communication, you either put in the work to get good properties or you dont.
Will say some guys are better at promoting themselves in the eyes of other trappers than others, which helps if your selling something.

All of the above with ethics coming first.

The guys who spend the most time , usually

Retired or on disability but not disabled

Derek Masenthin from Quenemo KS caught 60 some bobcats last year in about as many days. Don't steal and obeys the regs. To a T. I have never worried at all about taking him with me as he isn't the kind of guy to try and get into your territory either. He is on track to catching more cats this year. Unfortunately, like a lot of people, he wont chime in here due to being called a liar. Had a post a few years ago about problems he had with the Montana brand trap. Even told how John Graham made it right. You would have thought he was the head of the U.S. communist party or something. Got the same flack talking about his trapping strategy's. Here is a picture of last years cat catch.

Understanding your targets likes, dislikes, travel routes and knowing what their going to do before they do.

Drive, determination, passion.

Just like everything in life....

Show me the money $$$$$$

Catches like that don't come from half efforts. Takes strong work ethic and no quit.

Persistence

That's getting it done right there , excellent picture too

Hard work plan an simple

Here are some tips that might help you if you are uncertain about gaining permission .First of all get to know the area by spending some time driving the area you are considering trapping in .Look for farms that have good habitat perhaps when out you will see road kills Make a note of them .Those road kill locations likely indicate high animal population and good crossing . Get on a computer and search location you might want to trap .Get landowner names and general property lines for some places that show promise .Once you have decided on some possible good spots make a list of land owner names Pick a day and make a list of properties you want to visit had preprinted cards with my contact info that I would offer to the landowner Dress so that you look like you are a responsible adult Stop at each farm on your list ,locate the land owner . Introduce yoursef and where you are from . Tell them why you stopped and what you would like to do .If you know someone that they might know . Another nearby landowner for example drop their name Explain how fox and coon can spread diseases and coyotes kill young livestock .If they at first do not grant permission keep talking to them Give them a chance to get to know you a little bit More than one time a no you can not trap turned into a location that I trapped many years . Accept the fact that you will get turned down some times If you notice that the farm has a ground hog problem or maybe some repair that needs done and you can help them with whatever it is offer to help That way they se you are just not there for what you can get out of it .. It takes some practice to get comfortable gaining new probertites to trap But if you just take the first step and ask them what you would like to do fit will sometimes trun out in your favor Remember they are making a living off the land And it is possible that the very day you choose to ask to trap a mink or racoon killed/ate a bunch of whaT was going to be this years egg layers .Or chickens they intended to raise and butcher for teir own supply . And of course if it turns out the person is very much opposed to you trapping .Do not allow yourself to be drawn into that type of situation. Gaining and keeping proberties to keep a trap line in operation is a life long chore .But it is not something to over complicate . Be yourself and be an ethical trapper and it will usually be worth the effort .

Good stuff and I have to agree with most that said work ethic is at the top. Both in acquiring land to trap, trapping itself and then put up.