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Line is a bust #8009275
12/02/23 02:08 AM
12/02/23 02:08 AM
Joined: Nov 2023
Interior AK
S
Smokestack Offline OP
trapper
Smokestack  Offline OP
trapper
S

Joined: Nov 2023
Interior AK
Week 5 of dragging a sled behind me up the side of a mountain. First season trapping and my brother and I have had our work cut out for us. Spent 12 hours today straining every muscle in my body just to discover a broken snare. So far our catch has been a total of 4 squirrels. Lynx, Marten and Coyote tracks everywhere the eye can see. It has been comical how rough of a go we've had of it. Would be easy to lose hope but the view is absolutely majestic. We may spend the rest of the season coming home with empty hands but I still think I'd do it again next year.

20231201_111754.jpg

"It is time in the West to defend not so much human rights as human obligations." - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009277
12/02/23 02:13 AM
12/02/23 02:13 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Alaska and Washington State
W
waggler Offline
trapper
waggler  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Jan 2008
Alaska and Washington State
Keep at it, once things start clicking it will start to make sense.


"My life is better than your vacation"
Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009279
12/02/23 03:23 AM
12/02/23 03:23 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Oakland, MS
Drifter Online content
trapper
Drifter  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Oakland, MS
Quote
Coyote tracks everywhere the eye can see.
They are telling you where to catch them.


Some individuals use statistics as a drunk man uses lamp-posts — for support rather than for illumination.

Andrew Lang (1844-1912) Scottish poet, novelist and literary critic









Life member NTA , and GA Trappers assoc .
Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009282
12/02/23 04:21 AM
12/02/23 04:21 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Armpit, ak
D
Dirt Offline
trapper
Dirt  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Dec 2010
Armpit, ak
Did you bring a canoe?


Who is John Galt?
Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009291
12/02/23 06:16 AM
12/02/23 06:16 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Michigan
T
Trapper Dahlgren Offline
trapper
Trapper Dahlgren  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Jun 2016
Michigan
welcome first off, and thanks for the pic, keep at it and when you get something post a pic, and you will get something!!

Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009352
12/02/23 08:57 AM
12/02/23 08:57 AM
Joined: Jun 2022
Manitoba
Shakeyjake Offline
trapper
Shakeyjake  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jun 2022
Manitoba
Gods country right there!
Stick at it, I got my first marten a week ago. Last year I’d ask my buddy “you coming with to make sure our boxes are still empty?” We did score on other stuff though. Sometimes it takes alotta patience too.


Wind Blew, crap flew, out came the line crew
Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009359
12/02/23 09:07 AM
12/02/23 09:07 AM
Joined: Mar 2021
Wyoming
E
E.J. Kelley Offline
trapper
E.J. Kelley  Offline
trapper
E

Joined: Mar 2021
Wyoming
Keep at it and never quit! I struggled at first also too. That was over 40 years ago.

Re: Line is a bust [Re: E.J. Kelley] #8009404
12/02/23 10:05 AM
12/02/23 10:05 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Minnesota
330-Trapper Online content

trapper
330-Trapper  Online Content

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Minnesota
Originally Posted by E.J. Kelley
Keep at it and never quit! I struggled at first also too. That was over 40 years ago.

My first year Also 1986

keep at it!


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009417
12/02/23 10:26 AM
12/02/23 10:26 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Central, SD
Law Dog Offline
trapper
Law Dog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2010
Central, SD
Sounds like you went that route prematurely experience/prep wise if you have all that sign but no catches yet. Not sure the extent of the trip overall but experience goes a long way in adapting to a situation is what I’m getting at. Experience, comfort and equipment will make it a better overall experience for a guy.

I admire the effort and determination I really do it’s a great learning experience most will never have just figure out the gaps and make the adjustments as you go or make a to do list for the next trip.

Good Luck I hope things get better for you.


Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!

Jerry Herbst
Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009453
12/02/23 11:18 AM
12/02/23 11:18 AM
Joined: Dec 2014
E central Il
G
Golf ball Offline
trapper
Golf ball  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Dec 2014
E central Il
4 squirrels might be sayin your too low with your snares maybe. Keep at it , you’ll figure it out.

Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009469
12/02/23 11:43 AM
12/02/23 11:43 AM
Joined: Dec 2019
WISCONSIN
W
Wild_WI Offline
trapper
Wild_WI  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Dec 2019
WISCONSIN
I agree with the other folks, the first season is the hardest. It was very humbling to put so much effort into not catching much in the beginning but I spent time in the off seasons doing a lot of reading and honing my gear. It takes time and patience but you'll get it, don't give up and keep the pictures coming!

Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009472
12/02/23 11:49 AM
12/02/23 11:49 AM
Joined: Dec 2021
Alberta
N
Norwestalta Offline
trapper
Norwestalta  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Dec 2021
Alberta
Maybe a bust but it sure is fun. Good luck

Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009531
12/02/23 12:52 PM
12/02/23 12:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
james bay frontierOnt.
If you are seeing lots of sign but not catching,then you are not making proper sets in the right places.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009561
12/02/23 01:26 PM
12/02/23 01:26 PM
Joined: May 2011
Anchorage, Alaska
broncoformudv Offline
trapper
broncoformudv  Offline
trapper

Joined: May 2011
Anchorage, Alaska
Have any pictures of your sets? What are you using for bait and lure?

Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009570
12/02/23 01:40 PM
12/02/23 01:40 PM
Joined: Dec 2011
MT
S
snowy Offline
trapper
snowy  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2011
MT
Thank you for posting your trapping experience. I hope you continue and please keep us updated on your journey. I love to see your pictures and looking forward to more.


Give me a fish, I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I will eat for a lifetime
Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009599
12/02/23 02:18 PM
12/02/23 02:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2019
Northern IN USA
Flipper 56 Online content
trapper
Flipper 56  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Jan 2019
Northern IN USA
Welcome, great pic, please share more when you can. You got humbled by the animals, but it was just because you were doing it wrong. There is a ton of information to read and watch to understand your equipment and the animals you want to target. Study and with your drive you will be dragging a sled full of fur.


"Where Can A Man Find Bear Beaver And Other Critters Worth Cash Money When Skinned?"

Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8009646
12/02/23 03:27 PM
12/02/23 03:27 PM
Joined: Oct 2021
South central Minnesota.
O
Old pup Offline
trapper
Old pup  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Oct 2021
South central Minnesota.
Like all the good advice already mentioned, keep at it. Stay very observant and keep detailed notes and records. A detail that may seem miniscule just might be the key to consistent success. Good luck.


ergo, bibamus.
Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8010032
12/03/23 03:55 AM
12/03/23 03:55 AM
Joined: Nov 2023
Interior AK
S
Smokestack Offline OP
trapper
Smokestack  Offline OP
trapper
S

Joined: Nov 2023
Interior AK
Thanks for all the encouragement and advice everybody. I appreciate it. I will make sure to get plenty of pictures of some of the sets when I check them next. We do plan on setting some footholds in coyote tracks when we get some fresh snow. Been weird weather here lately for late November. Rain is not typical this late in the year and everything had a nice layer of ice on it when we were up there and we definitely were not prepared for that. I think our cubby sets are pretty solid but I do wonder if the marten boxes are up to snuff, just need to snap some pictures of them set up. I'll make sure to post more pictures for yall to scrutinize soon. I'm a good listener and you won't hurt my feelings. Been using a variety of baits and lures, mostly fish heads for the marten boxes with hawbakers marten lure and cavens tree climber. Been alternating to try to see what's successful. For the lynx, and wolverine it's been chunks of duck and internal organs from moose, small game and some fish heads. On the cubbies and bucket sets Been using dahlkes L.D.C.

Every time we run it we add in a few sets and push the line up further. Added a couple boxes and a few more buckets and cubbies. Put in a snare set on some fox tracks we found and used some hawbakers fox gland lure. By the end of the season we'd like to have it be a complete loop so we aren't covering the same ground twice on a run but it's a work in progress. Hard work slugging it up that mountain, the whole lines run on the "heel toe express" so i cant expect to have it finished in a month. Going to be patient. I hope to be doing this for a long time so I'm viewing it as an investment for the next 30 years or so. Even if it winds up being a dud I know I'll learn plenty to pass down to my three sons. All worth it in the end.


"It is time in the West to defend not so much human rights as human obligations." - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Re: Line is a bust [Re: Smokestack] #8010037
12/03/23 04:17 AM
12/03/23 04:17 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
M
martentrapper Offline
trapper
martentrapper  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
That pic looks like your working off the Rich hiway.

Re: Line is a bust [Re: martentrapper] #8010041
12/03/23 04:25 AM
12/03/23 04:25 AM
Joined: Nov 2023
Interior AK
S
Smokestack Offline OP
trapper
Smokestack  Offline OP
trapper
S

Joined: Nov 2023
Interior AK
Yessir. Guilty as charged


"It is time in the West to defend not so much human rights as human obligations." - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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