In the back of the March 23 issue of the Missouri Conservationist magazine there's an item stating we now have a late trapping season. It's private land only, for Coyote, 'Possum, Coon and Striped Skunk only, from 1 March thru 14 April. No other details given.
First I've heard of it. Phone number for Busch Wildlife, the E Mo Headquarters is 636-441-4554, don't waste time talking to a volenteer phone answerer, mostly they are worthless.

Unless your getting paid why do it. Fur value will be worthless, and I'd imagine you could trap year round with a damage control license. MDC has relegated those species to be worthless ,or why trap during birthing seasons This might hurt you guys in the long run.

Sounds like that's to help the turkeys a little bit.

Yes it’s true.
Starting a coon job on a big hunting club in 2 weeks.
It sucks that that’s where we’re at, but I think it’s the future. Populations need to be managed, and it ain’t happening with the current fur market.
The guvment made it official. Coon are vermin.

You're spot on as I just sold fur to a local fur buyer here in Missouri and was paid $1.50 per coon. Otter went for $25 and beaver averaged $10, but I just couldn't believe the $1.50 per coon. Isn't worth your time.

Just depends what your doing it for, I have a lot of farms that allow me to hunt I'll gladly take out coon and whatever raids the best on those properties to help manage the turkeys numbers.

If you need the practice, have at em. Unless you’re getting payed you’re gonna lose money. They are not gonna get any significant turnaround in predator control until they put a 15-25 dollar bounty on the nest robbers like the Dakotas has. Then you might see a lot of trappers take notice of it. It ain’t like the Mo. conservation doesn’t have the money to do that either. I don’t think they wanted anything to do with this extended season and the early season, but got pressured into it by deer, quail, turkey, and duck organizations to do something about the animals.
Clay is right about in the very near future ( or now) that if you want problem animals controlled, you gonna have to pay to get it done. If fur prices go up it will alter this equation, but that probably ain’t gonna happen in the near future.

I am using the extended season to take the opportunity to knock back some predator and nest raiders. Its also allowing me to hone my skills ,so maybe just maybe, I will be ready for the next mini fur-boom

The extended season is indeed targeted for nest raiders,,, I don’t remember whereabouts I read it,,, but the upland bird population including turkey has taken a massive hit,,, 50 percent loss in some places. With lower numbers of trappers and coon hunters,, there’s not much to keep the nest predator numbers in check

Likely won't do much good (except on a very local basis) as there are few trappers that will participate and even fewer landowners that are willing to pay for a trapper's services. Here in Ga, coon and possum are now allowed to be trapped and hunted year-round. Coyote take has always been allowed year-round.

Any little bit is better than nothing.

You can trap all the nest predators you want but at the rate of habitat loss it ain't going to matter in a few years. Lease holders plant food plot but don't do any habitat work. Less habitat =less carrying capacity=less animals

X2

That’s the thing though, the landowners that want nest predators gone do have the habitat. It’s already been stated to help the population, it will come through private landowners. I can tell you and provide names and numbers of landowners that will testify to trapping working for both quail and turkeys. And if it’s making a difference on their land it’s helping the surrounding properties as well.
Now I won’t trap for free, but I’ve shown several folks how to use traps. Heck one landowner just bought a dozen DP’s and is acting like a little kid texting me every time he catches a coon or possum. I’ve told them if they buy the traps I’ll show them how and where to use them. If I can get as many folks as possible to buy just 6 DP’s and catch 20 coons/possums a year then eventually it will make a difference. What I’ve found is once they start catching, they want more of it. When folks see the benefits, it starts catching on!

MO conservation is a joke.crooks

This

FACT!

Farmers and ranchers are tearing out wood lots, fence rows, draining ponds, etc. Turkey and quail populations are noticeably smaller anywhere this has/is occurring in my area.

I trap managed properties. Those with habitat continue to have good healthy populations. Their neighbors who removed habitat are begging (and paying) for a place to hunt.

fact

FACT!!! Tied with democrats as the most corrupt and dishonest group in the state.

Did they steal from you or something?

Please expand on Missouri Conservation Dept. I'd like to hear your stories....

Facts only please.