This post is what I imagined this site being about. We have a lot of “old timers” that have done it before anything “modern” and slayed the critters. These are the trappers we can learn from. These are the trappers that have seen it and done it. This post is one of the best I’ve seen, thanks!

Most of the "modern" stuff is to trap trappers,lol.

My dad was a trapper. He always let me set for weasel in the winter after they had turned white. I was about 10 as I tagged along with him on his trapline. He taught me how to set for mink and rats later. But, during my high school years I quit trapping. After I got married I bought all my dad's traps, as he had health issues and quit trapping. That was in the late 70's. I would take off a week from work and devote it all to my traplines. I tried upland trapping for coyotes and fox, but it was too much work compared to water trapping, so I water trapped exclusively.

I still do a few nuisance jobs such as beaver, coon, squirrels, and lately relocated some rabbits. I sold most of my traps and equipment. Trapping is harder when you're in your 80's. The mind says, Go! But, the body says, No!

I've been trapping in one form or another for most local critters since about 1956. I don't claim to be very good at it and am learning something every time out, but I still enjoy the heck out of doing it if even on a small scale. I am selling these today that just swam by my house and got caught this spring:

No trapping in my youth but hunted and fished since I was 5 or so. When I hit 50, trapping looked interesting. Been going for 5 years now, got my two young ones involved ( 12 and 14 ); so I'd say it's a win.

I do want to thank all of the T-man characters who have pitched in with advice and criticism of sets when needed, I've gotten much better on a quick learning curve, which I pass along to my Hooligans.

The next season will be my 67th year trapping for pelts. Some years I did a lot, some years not so much, but always get some traps and/or snares set.

1956 was a very good year

Among the many reasons I have enjoyed trapping for so many years is because there is a never ending amount of things to learn You can never say honestly that you have seen it all and you have learned all there is to learn. Even after trapping for almost 60 years I can get on this site and learn something new about trapping And the amazing thing is people share ideas and better ways to do things so willingly Some they learned the hard way after years of failing repeatedly at something finally comes into focus And even though it might be better to just keep their newest way of being more successful they share it with anyone that pays attention. And for me even after many years ad countless hours of checking traps in the dark and during daylight something out of place or see movement there is till that rush of adrenalin because I caught a critter Some days I might have a critter in the first group of traps I check other days I am still at zero for the last stop on my line that day and notice dark or light spot where there was not a dark spot or light spot before And when the season is over and the fur is shipped or sold to to. the auction house or dealer I feel just a little sad when I see the empty spot where my fur had been drying A whole seasons effort is now out of sight and it is months away until you can take what you learned and go at it again. I sure am glad I was born with the desire to hunt and trap an enjoy the many wonders of nature If I had not been a trapper and hunter all my life I have no idea what I would have done with all those yeas . But I feel safe to say I would not have ha as much satisfaction in my life

^^ Can’t say it better than this

I trap for Fur as my first priority. ADC is a public service which keeps my skills sharp and allows me to scout locations for Fur season.

Yep I still trap. don’t think I’ve missed a season of setting a few traps at minimum, in 25 years or so.

I still do. But I must admit I’m slowing down. It funny how I thought I would really go at it when I retired. It don’t work that way fellas!

I don't trap, I just come on here to irritate people.

Late bloomer, I don't think I caught my first muskrat until I was 22 in 1986. Off and on since then; when I have the itch, when I want to lose some but not a whole lot of money, when I wanted to expose my kids to it.

I sent my first fur to NAFA for the summer 2013 sale-- I certainly would have liked to been there for the late winter sale! I like seeing how my put up does against other people's. I've never done big numbers and probably never will unless I have absolutely nothing else to do in retirement.

I never set a trap last year. I'd rather sell tomatoes then put up coon for $5 or less average. No water around last year for mrats and I basically suck at coyotes and they were crap for price last year for out twanies. One of biggest smiles about trapping or fur was when the younger kid (now a paratrooper) snared an average twany yote around here and I bought from him for $50 and it sold at NAFA for $80 in the last winter auction before the crooks bailed on their obligations. I enjoyed that.

Maybe this fall and winter, especially diggers. I do like taking badgers...

Been trapping since 1952, albiet slower now days but still having fun with my sore body.......lol

I trap as often as I can. Mostly coyotes, fox, bobcat and beaver. Never have as much time as Id like to workin all the time and raising 3 kids. My son loves checking sets with me and I love that he is interested in learning.

still do a little fisher coyote have not missed a season since 1966

I've been trapping for about two years still in school so I only run a small line

started in the early 70's...

Started trapping in '74 and trapped into the mid '80s when I got out of college. Then went on a hiatus until my son was old enough to go and geared up again. He has been out of the nest a while now and I just trap the farm to thin the nest raiders or trap when someone has a problem. Plan to retire in four years and hit it hard again for fun and health.
Otherwise, I live vicariously through the rest of you!

Been trapping 55 years maybe not as much some years.Started when i was 13.And yes i do.