This is my first post here but not my first time looking through posts to gain insight and understanding of trapping. Thank you Paul Dobbins for the approval to join. I deer hunt seriously as that is my passion. I usually take two weeks of vacation off from work late October into November to bowhunt the rut here in Missouri. I run a handful of game cameras on two properties I hunt. There isn’t any getting away from the fact coyotes, bobcats, as well as raccoons run rampant through the properties I hunt. I stumbled on trapping by going and shadowing with a buddy from work early mornings running his line. Also put in the time over the weekends to run with him setting up flat dirt hole sets as well as learning step down sets. Mostly footholds and DP’s. I had the time of my life doing that and look forward to continue too. But I wanted to start acquiring my own gear and tools. I received my first order from F&T Trader this week. I told my wife to bring in the packages off the porch and she got one whiff of the boxes and said she put them in the garage and that they about ran her out of the house. It must’ve been the (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) Fire lure. Anyways, I’ve been doing lots of research as well as reading and watching videos on trapping on some of the different footholds. Long story short I settled on MB-650 OS cast. I bought a dozen. Went with super fin earth anchors on #2 chain. I went ahead and installed another (3rd) swivel in the middle. I was told you can never have too many. Anyway, I haven’t bought bait yet but I have picked up some lure. I called an extremely nice knowledgeable gentleman Cletis with Apple Road Predator bait. I’m going to put an order in with him on his bait and lures. He took time aside and chatted with me on some different setups. I don’t want to run long just wanted to say hello as I’m excited to start trapping these critters. My 12 year old son is very excited to tag along as well. I just finished crimping J and S hooks. I’ll remove my QD link and load up these 650’s in the dishwasher or 5 gallon bucket with water and Dawn. Haven’t decided which yet. Then let them sit outside for a few day before dipping them. I wish everyone luck and a safe season. God bless

Respectfully,

Jeff

Welcome and good luck MO has some tough soil conditions in some places.

You’re well on your way! Good selection in equipment. As you go along make note of all you can, successful trapping is all about the little things.

Many here are civil and helpful, don’t hesitate to ask when you feel you need a question answered.

Osky

Welcome my friend. You will enjoy this crowd - good, good people. Lets put the hammer on them! Nice to know you will be on the north side of the creek. Catch some of the dang beavers - starting to do a lot of damage.

Welcome. I think you'll like that appleroad bait.

It looks like you're starting out right. Good luck

Good luck Jeff!

Cletis at AppleRoad is a good guy. I use his stuff myself. I’m a big fan of his bobcat gland lure. I catch cats and a lot of reds using it all by itself. Coyote gland lure is another good one. He’s got a new one I’m trying this season. It’s a cold weather lure. Supposed to really make ‘em dig.

Anyways, remember the first three rules of trapping
1) “Location!
2) “Location!”
3) “Location”

Welcome to Tman. Look forward to more of your trapping and deer posts

Nice equipment. Enjoy your time out and have fun

Welcome. Good people here.

What are you targeting being you got the 650s?

bucknbears mainly coyotes and bobcats with the 650’s. I need to pickup some DP’s for coons soon. Thanks everyone for the kind welcome. I’m pretty excited. I have a great camaraderie with a friend down where I hunt and he is gonna hammer these critters too. Turtledale, I’m hoping I can have some success to share. I harvested my target buck on Halloween evening. I’m after a couple doe to end the season with to top off the freezer. cfowler, he had lots of great things to say about his coyote lure as well as his bobcat lure. I just called the number on the website thinking it was his store to ask questions on his stock on his predator bobcat meat and he answered and took the time to answer my questions while running a seminar with military veterans last weekend. Great great guy. Gonna try his bobcat meat and his horse meat bait along with his lures.

Welcome to the craft.

The mb650 are a good trap with a big pan. 550 are also good.

Be careful you might become addicted. Good Luck and as said above Location.

I am a new trapper as well. I have a couple of the mb 650's. They are a battleship of a trap. My intention is to use them for beaver traps on a drowner. They are too big for coyotes if you ask me. I have made the mistake of setting my pan tension too loose on my dogged #2 trap and then brushing my hand over the trap. it gave me a good nip.I don't ever want to get pinched by a 650, it would not be a good day.

Nice Traps
Welcome to Tman

I'm a beginner also and kind of stumbled on that LOCATION aspect with the racoons. Had two spots that produced repeatedly. Did not put 2+2 together till looking at satellite image. Now I'm going duplicate setting ends of other draws heading out to crop fields.

You will be successful

Take meticulous notes and review them before (and during) the season. You will have some spots you will just automatically make sets at as they will constantly produce7nless something major changes.