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Post season thoughts #7833530
03/30/23 01:11 PM
03/30/23 01:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 534
Pennsylvania
K
Keystonekiller Offline OP
trapper
Keystonekiller  Offline OP
trapper
K

Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 534
Pennsylvania
Just curious with traplines coming to a close what's one thing you have learned this season to help or improve your future seasons? Either on the line or in the shed

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7833531
03/30/23 01:16 PM
03/30/23 01:16 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,365
east central WI
K
k snow Offline
trapper
k snow  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,365
east central WI
I followed a lot of mink tracks in the snow this winter, so hoping to have better luck targeting them this coming season.

In the shed, I learned that skinning in the 55 degree basement is better than a 30 degree garage, as long as the wife can't smell me down there.

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7833586
03/30/23 02:33 PM
03/30/23 02:33 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,124
NC - Here there and everywhere
C
coondagger2 Offline
"Brat"
coondagger2  Offline
"Brat"
C

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,124
NC - Here there and everywhere
Biggest thing I learned this season was standardization and ditching gimmicks. I used to carry a bag full of lures and made 15 different types of sets with multiple lures at each set.

This season I mainly made 1 set. A standard dirt hole. With good bait and real, winter collected meat fed coyote urine. No gimmicks, nothing fancy, just good bait and pee on good sign

Caught double what I did last year. Made more sets due to things becoming muscle memory. Became much more efficient. Realized it is really much more simple than people with something to sell would have you believe


Gotta live up to the nickname...
Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7833602
03/30/23 03:06 PM
03/30/23 03:06 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,101
South Ga - Almost Florida
S
Swamp Wolf Online happy
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Online Happy
trapper
S

Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 12,101
South Ga - Almost Florida
I learned that I should've caught more bcats and beavers this past winter.


Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7833658
03/30/23 04:21 PM
03/30/23 04:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,063
Marion Kansas
Y
Yes sir Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Yes sir  Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Y

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,063
Marion Kansas
I learned coyotes are more fun to put up when they are worth something

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7833659
03/30/23 04:22 PM
03/30/23 04:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,996
Oregon
beaverpeeler Online content
trapper
beaverpeeler  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,996
Oregon
I learn the same lesson almost every year and then forget it and learn it over again. Focus on what you're good at (beaver and otter) and don't waste your time on what you're not. Land critters.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7833715
03/30/23 05:25 PM
03/30/23 05:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 534
Pennsylvania
K
Keystonekiller Offline OP
trapper
Keystonekiller  Offline OP
trapper
K

Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 534
Pennsylvania
Few good laughs in there thanks guys .....as I get older I don't worry about numbers an just enjoy being out there doing something I love .....I just read a article about endangered trappers saying there are only 3 to 4 hundred trappers in the state of Maryland gotta keep the tradition alive

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7833961
03/30/23 08:52 PM
03/30/23 08:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,820
Frazee, MN
B
backroadsarcher Offline
trapper
backroadsarcher  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,820
Frazee, MN
On the line maybe need to try a different lure and bait. I have using the same for years now and this year the canines just didn't seem to be interested. But this year seemed to just be different.

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7833965
03/30/23 09:00 PM
03/30/23 09:00 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,468
Iowa
T
trapdog1 Offline
trapper
trapdog1  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,468
Iowa
I learned it's worth the effort to spend some time getting in shape before season opens.

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7834013
03/30/23 09:40 PM
03/30/23 09:40 PM
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 203
South Louisiana
T
Trappeur Gunny Offline
trapper
Trappeur Gunny  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 203
South Louisiana
This was my first season in many years and I had a great time. One thing I did and it has paid off big time, keep notes. My notes are a valuable tool to read over in the off season. Some of the things I learned from my notes were:

1) Record where you set traps, baits, temp, weather, etc. How many days the trap sat and what did I catch or didn't catch. I got maps and aerial views, and marked where my sets were. Its amazing how I have cut down on the areas where I'm going to trap next year as I have learned where the animals are moving. It really has helped me look at new areas I'm going to trap, and save me a lot of time in selecting where to set traps.

2) Draw the different type of sets I used and it has taught me trap positioning that is the most effective for different types of soil and sets.

3) I cut down on bait and lures I carry on the trap line. Keep it simple and lite, as many of the areas I'm running I have to get in by pirogue and sometimes I have to trek in the swamp after tying off my pirogue.

4) Trap sign, trap sign, trap sign.

5) Beavers and bobcats aren't too hard to trap. Otters are strong as a bull.

6) Spend time after season and prep my traps and gear for next season now. Inspect and set each trap, repair and adjust now, not in the fall.

7) Rustoleum and acetone are the greatest thing you can do to protect your traps.

8) Be polite and very knowledgeable, dress neat when talking to land owners or lease holders for trapping rights.


Last edited by Trappeur Gunny; 03/31/23 06:55 AM.
Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7834133
03/31/23 01:49 AM
03/31/23 01:49 AM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 512
NE
P
plainstrapping25 Offline
trapper
plainstrapping25  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 512
NE
Definetly for me is putting up my fur. Made great sacrifices with my time to accomplish. But was so rewarding when I got it figured out. Now I love that aspect as much as the field work. I have most respect for those who been doing it for long.

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7834149
03/31/23 04:18 AM
03/31/23 04:18 AM
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 4,377
illinois
J
jalstat Offline
trapper
jalstat  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 4,377
illinois
I learned I am still always tired running traps and working nights can't wait till next season when I am done working and can actually really sit back and enjoy myself trapping . It's very easy to get sloppy when you are overly tired.

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7834217
03/31/23 07:17 AM
03/31/23 07:17 AM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,312
Firth, Nebraska
jabNE Offline
trapper
jabNE  Offline
trapper

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,312
Firth, Nebraska
I too am simplifying and standardizing the line. Getting rid of some traps later this year, sticking with what I can use efficiently and effectively.
Same with baits and lures, now just couple baits, couple lures, and some urine.
Got some work to do this off season but should make the line a lot more fun next season for sure.
Jim


Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can buy you a trapping license and that's pretty close.
Re: Post season thoughts [Re: jabNE] #7834729
03/31/23 06:10 PM
03/31/23 06:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,293
East-Central Wisconsin
B
bblwi Offline
trapper
bblwi  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,293
East-Central Wisconsin
Habitat changes are critical as I always knew or felt but after 3 years of high water and rats in every slough and small rivelet, we have had 1.5 years of very dry weather and ground water is really low and thus sloughs are dried up and small streams have a trickle so rat numbers this season were about 30-40% of the two higher years and my catch reflected that. Also with a very, very dry spring last season the first litters were either small, lost or non existent as I had the highest percent of really, really small kits this fall that I ever had. More reds around but some of the yotes are showing up with mange so they may take a hit soon. Have not seen a lot of dead coons or talk of disease with the really low harvest. Each year I think about running a longer coon line and when one sees high clearances at the auction averaging about $3 the interest wanes. Plan on more canine sets for next year and coons too as I have land owners who are wanting more harvest of coons. I think the FHA auction indicates to me that they hold some promise for rats by holding their values and probably see little future for coons and let them clear at those low prices.

Bryce

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7834739
03/31/23 06:21 PM
03/31/23 06:21 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 9,910
Arkansas
J
J Staton Offline
trapper
J Staton  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 9,910
Arkansas
In my neck of the woods trap bobcats like coons. If you don't catch them in say 5 days, move on.
Also, never wipe out your local beaver population when prices or low.

Last edited by J Staton; 03/31/23 06:22 PM.

James 1: 19-20
Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7835496
04/01/23 01:23 PM
04/01/23 01:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 609
Wisconsin
L
Lance Squires Offline
trapper
Lance Squires  Offline
trapper
L

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 609
Wisconsin
I learned that coyote averages under $5.00 aren't worth trapping and that I can't control the weather.


57 years trapping. It's who I am. Every day is still as exciting as it was when I was a kid but a little more work.
Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Lance Squires] #7835854
04/01/23 08:49 PM
04/01/23 08:49 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,365
east central WI
K
k snow Offline
trapper
k snow  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,365
east central WI
Originally Posted by Lance Squires
I learned that coyote averages under $5.00 aren't worth trapping and that I can't control the weather.


Ain't that the truth about the weather. I spent last winter getting better at setting in snow and ice. This winter was rain, slush and mud.

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7835992
04/01/23 11:51 PM
04/01/23 11:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Montana
D
D.T. Offline
trapper
D.T.  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Montana
I dont know if its learning or just finally letting go of the resistance i have to footholds for otter. The otter i trap are smart. Im glad other people in other areas say they aren’t shy to traps, but consistently year after year in various places, otters will not go into my squares. Ive tried blending and camoing above and below water and they won’t do it. Every once in a while i get lucky, but the other 95 percent of the time its otters tracks and sign everywhere. Empty traps

I have seen some good videos and beaverpealers post and am excited to give it a try. Basically flat set. Maybe on a tuff of grass. Might even try something similar to the peat moss dock set. I just have to figure out how to deal with frozen sand mud or rocks hence the dock set. Also heard cat glands get em interested. Hopefully ill get to my qouta a lot sooner next year.

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7836170
04/02/23 08:57 AM
04/02/23 08:57 AM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,922
2A Sanctuaries-W. OK & N. NM
Blaine County Offline
trapper
Blaine County  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,922
2A Sanctuaries-W. OK & N. NM
I generally go hard for three weeks in late December and January. Felt sick the first day and was wiped out by the flu by the third. Tried to keep the line going but couldn't.

I learned I need to retire so I am not stuck to a rigid window of time.

Re: Post season thoughts [Re: Keystonekiller] #7836337
04/02/23 12:20 PM
04/02/23 12:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 690
E. Oregon
S
super cub Offline
trapper
super cub  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 690
E. Oregon
I learned more about trail snareing coyotes. Managed to snare 62, didn't skin any, not going to put any up for $10-$20 for westerners
Ranchers have to pay for me to play (although about all I got paid was about my expenses. Ranchers Prices are going up next year)

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