Hello Everyone,

My name is Dalton and I am from Wisconsin. I recently just passed my trapper education course and am looking for some advice on my first traps/equipment I need to get started. I Have been looking into Starter Trapping kits online. I like the ones from Minnesota Trapline and NAT. Does anyone have any experience with these? Good, bad, ugly?

I want to target Coyotes and Raccoons first, So I plan on getting some dog proof traps and some Duke 550's. Just don't know if those starter kits are good in value and quality or would it be better going to Scheels/Fleet Farm and purchasing some equipment off the selves.

Any advice, tips or tricks are welcomed too, as I know no one that traps and I am starting this journey on my own.

Any advice is appreciated

Thank you,
Dalton

Welcome aboard.Check out the archives.Alot of great information there.

Be sure to join your states Trappers Association..and attend

Their spring and fall Rendezvous.

And Welcome

Started out with the MTP starter kit with 6 MB550’s and also bought half a dozen Duke DP’s about 7-8yrs ago. Still have and use everything that came with the kit except the bait and lure, lol. Great kits in my opinion and great traps as well. I’ve stuck with MB traps because they’re about indestructible, except for logging trucks. They won’t survive that.

Get ready to laugh at yourself Dalton! I know you will have fun. May not always be successful but you WILL learn!!!

I no longer trap but I remember when I started. I was in my 60s. Yep, I started after turning 60. I learned a lot right here. Another good teacher was a blue heeler dog that trotted along beside my ATV. She would investigate animal smells and crossings. I learned to set on what her nose was telling me. I mostly trapped coon in bucket sets and a few beaver in some creeks. An otter or two got caught by accident, even in my bucket sets when I used fresh fish for bait. I never learned to handle hides so I sold on the carcass.

I never had a mentor but I read everything I could on the subject. Good exercise for an overweight old guy. The dog loved it also.

I would go after the raccoon first with dog proofs. Easier to catch.