This is going to be my first year trapping. I will be doing mainly land trapping but am hoping to get some sets in for otter, beaver, mink and muskrat. I believe in settling goals and I know the catch percentages are different between each targeted species but if I was to set an overall catch percentage goal for myself what should it be? Or should I base the percentage on the location where they are caught. I know I’m asking some questions with for the most part no 100% right answer but I’m looking to see how I should approach setting my goals.
Thanks again

A lot depends on population density in the areas you will trap.
For example,prolific animals as well as animals with smaller home ranges you can expect high percentages of catch per trap night.
Of course the catch rate will drop as you thin out the resident population.
To keep the catch rate up you can move some of your traps to new untapped locations as time goes on.If extended check times are legal you can work that in to allow you to run more traps in a larger area as you hopscotch some traps to new areas.New areas will produce catches quicker for the prolific species.Check sets in new areas more frequently,and if you leave some traps behind at strategic travel/dispersal routes,as you extend your lines these can be checked less frequently.This method will keep you from checking too many empty traps.
Scouting your trapgrounds is important to locate the animals and guage the population densities,and identify trave/dispersal routes,which allows you to make your plans to be able to harvest efficiently.

x2 on what Boco said and will add that perhaps you should concentrate on catching your first one first. Once that is done then you can always increase your goals as the season progresses. Having to increase your goals vs not making a realistic one in the first place can be a real good way to set yourself up for a big disappointment. Things can change rather quickly that'll create a huge impact on your season. Bad weather, unexcitingly losing some property due to sale of the land or leased can just be a few things that can cause your plans to come falling down. Good luck!

I think it was explained to me as the great trappers catch 20% of their line daily.
The good trappers catch 15% of their line.
And folks like me hope for 10%.
Of course to do that daily you have to have a whole heap of critters.
All that means is the more sets you have out, the more chances of a catch.
But also remember, you can’t catch what ain’t there. The more critters you have the more you catch. The less critters you have, the less you catch.

I wouldn’t set any expectations or goals this season. This is the learning season, your only goal is to learn. You can expect to miss some critters. You can expect to check a lot of empty sets, have traps dug up, catch your own fingers, and say some colorful words lol.

This site is great for shortening the learning curve, but it’s still a pretty good curve. Having no idea what population density is for furbearers in particular areas, no experience picking locations or making sets, you’re better off focusing on learning the craft and forgetting about goals for this season.

If you must set a goal, make it to catch one of each kind of critter you set for. Depending on what you set for even that may be unrealistic for a first season goal. The ones you miss will be your best teachers anyways.

Some guys might be able to average a catch rate of 10% on coyotes setting on really prime locations (feedlot dead piles) here in KS but I've never heard of or seen a 20% average. And to average that 10% you'd have to be moving traps really often and have multiple super hot locations to do it for any amount of time. From what I've seen and heard here in KS anything under 1 catch to 15 traps set per day would be really good if not on feedlots. But maybe some people do better but not from What I've seen and heard.

Guys out western Ks can have a day here and there of 20% but never heard of averaging that at least not setting a long line for coyotes. Cats here in KS would be much lower.

Finding and getting permission on choice properties/locations is the biggest thing for great catch rates. A lot of guys trap a property out of convenience, whether that means it's conveniently close to home or convenient to get permission/access. One of the biggest thing I've seen with the guys that put up big numbers is how much work they will put into getting on the best properties and how far they will go to find the choice properties. Especially with K9s. Not all properties are equal.

Around here if you can pull 5% catch rate on bobcat you had a super good day. Foxes, if you try real hard, and have some great locations, you could probably pull off 20% some days. Coyotes, could probably see 10% some days.

Where I trapped in Montana I could catch 20% on coyotes with some regularity. Fox, maybe 5%, and I never caught a bobcat there.

In your area, I have no clue. 10% might be killing it, or 10% might mean you’re missing a bunch of fur. Every area, and even one location to the next, is different.

Absolutely! The problem lies in not getting permission to even ascertain if a property is a winner or a dud! Doesn’t do much good to gain permission on properties where the stall-out is two over or the primary travel way one or two properties over and you will never know unless you can step foot on them! It’s the old “can’t get there from here” deal.

YesSir,
What you described above ^^^^ is exactly what I've experienced running predator lines on properties all over the southern half of Georgia...from agriculture habitat to big woods pine forests...to a mix of in between.

Don't expect, inspect. I learned that years ago and now I use it in trapping. Like its been said there are a lot of factors that will meld together that will determine how you do. There are some things you can do that will help you get a better % than most, but it takes work. Some of the things I do that help me increase my % are:

I scout and then I scout some more. I spend a lot of time walking the ground I'm going to trap. I'm not talking riding around and looking, I mean physically walk the ground. Right now I know that I can go out when season opens and I can set most of my traps without having to figure out what I'm going to do or where I'm setting them. This is the time of year I follow game trails as they usually lead off the main path to some really nice pockets you would not normally see.

I'm on the phone talking to land owners that I have agreements with. I keep in regular communication as its not only good to keep on friendly basis, they will tell you what they are seeing and they will pass your name to other land owners.

Every trap I own is prepped. All I have to do is load them up and head out. This summer I spent 3 days making sure my traps were properly coated with no rust, tuned the triggers, leveled jaws, etc. Do it now as the closer season gets you want to spend time in the field scouting, than working on traps.

Check all of your anchors, cables, connectors, etc. Now is the time to order hardware.

Inventory all of your baits, lures, scents, etc. Keep them organize so you can grab what you want and head out. Now is the time to order, not the week before season starts.

I practice making sets on my property. I spend time making sets and trying new things. I'll get them all set, take mental notes, pictures if needed, tear them down. I have a branch on my property so I can practice my water sets. Better to practice at home than when you are actually trapping and in a rush to lay out as many sets as you can.

You do your prep work now, you will catch fur. You wait till the last minute and you will be spinning in circles.

Good deal, nice to have good north country trappers in here. Enjoy the prep but manage expectations. You have so much to learn and so many people here to teach you. It is a wonderful p[astitme to have. Remember the best way to become a millionaire trapping is to start out a billionaire. If you ask 6 different trappers for advice you will get seven different answeres. Start small have fun and processing your furs is AT LEAST half the game. Best of luck on your line.

Don't get caught up in percentages unless your doing something like setting dens for muskrat or beaver.

I like doing short term goals over long term as long term goals are more hope than actual goals. Ie say you want to catch 100 coon in a month. 5 days in and you've only got 6. Well now you are either discouraged and going to give up or you think the coon just haven't moved yet and I've got time. The former is obviously not good. The latter is lazy thinking and you aren't looking at your line to see what's going wrong. 100 in 30 days is 3.3 coon a day. If you make your goal to catch that 3.3 a day it's easier to focus on that and give you a bit more perspective on what you need to do

Great response,I know it's a lot of money,but it's worth it,buy James Lucero's master wolfer book.In my opinion it's the most different and best coyote book I've ever read.It cost's $35,but if you read it and re read it you'll be further along in this fun hobby,if the fur market comes back,which it's always has you might even make some money.A person doesn't make money hunting,fishing etc. very often,but it's sure fun and this country was founded on the gold rush and fur trade,so take it all in and learn a skill you will enjoy for the rest of your life if you decide to,tight chain's and a life time of memories.

That is 100% a hard find. I am a libarian and can't hardly find it. Look for an ISBN on it.

We all have different methods or styles. I am for the most part a trapper that sets heavy, especially for rats and coons and move in a few days. This method gets me over my intended water line in the time frame for when season opens until our November 9-day deer gun season. With this method my catch rates are lower than many trappers would be but they follow the same curve if you will. I don't like setting more than 3 days with my style for rats and maybe 4-5 days for coon. For canines I may not be leaving traps long enough as most are in for 6-8 days. My methods probably have hurt my coyote and mink catches.
This year I am setting out some drowner sets for coons that are quick catches and checks after the rat lines and I can check them every other day and not daily.
If you trap moving water (rivers and streams) one can expect lower catch rates for the most part but have fur coming through for longer periods of time as compared to a marsh or though the ice etc.

I have been trapping every year as an adult for 43 years and I still have a tendency to over estimate rat numbers on streams and under estimate coon numbers.

I would not get too caught up early in my first year about worrying about catch percentage as to me that is a process learned over time and there are a lot of variables outside of your trapping prowes.

Bryce

DoubleJ, set your goals to 1) having a good time in the outdoors and 2) learning as much as you can. If you find good locations and your traps are bedded solidly, you will catch critters. As your season progresses and you start catching, set a modest goal you think you can meet so you’re not down at the end. Being your first year you should be happy and proud of whatever you catch.

I know you said in the opening of the thread that you are a goal setter but goals need a baseline from previously quantified results. I strongly suggest with this being your first year to set your 1st goal toward how many species you’re setting for. After the first season you should have recorded catch results from each species from which you’ll be able to established a quantifiable baseline for a percentage rate goals per species. This method I believe will change your goals & focus this 1st year to learning to catch which will give you that quantifiable baseline for setting the next year’s goals attainable percentage goals.

I apologize if I’ve repeated myself but if you’re a goal setter I’m sure you understand what I said. From a person who had to set and attain quantifiable goals every year in order to get a rise or bonus, I do understand the strong points but also the mental traps of goal setting.

I know some good trappers who went all season their first year without catching a coyote. Your success is dependent on population and which species you are targeting. Muskrats and beaver will give you higher catch rates because you will likely be trapping in high density areas. Like has been said, don't set goals too high because you will be disappointed. And set on sign.

Setting catch number goals so early in your trapping career is going to guarantee you’ll hate your abilities very quickly. Don’t do I that. Just go out, set some traps, and let nature direct you until you get good enough to appreciate what you are actually catching.