Trapping season opened today in the best state in the Union.


Little beaver pond with a feed bed.


Dogproof in a trail.


How I fill my dogproofs-just over the trigger, with a drizzle of fruity lure on the lip


Microlocation on a trail going up a dam-the trail runs up a hill, but of course it's not perfectly flat, it's got lots of little bumps and dips, so I look for these little "stair steps", level spots, where they're a lot more likely to place their feet compared to any other random spot on the trail.


How I set coilsprings in trails.....just set on the ground, with the trap loosely covered with torn up grass, except for the pan. My thinking is that the pan, on the little "stair step", provides an appealing place to step. Sometimes I use stepping sticks, but usually not on trails going uphill like this.

I very much doubt that any animal has ever thought as I walk, I will place my foot on this tiny upwards projection, because it is better than a large, flat, stable surface, like grass.

Keith

Seems to work for me Everyone's gotta do whatever works for them.

jump stick!

That's what I do when the ground is fairly flat instead of on a hill. Two sticks in a low "X" across the trail to center their foot on the pan. ill snap a pic of one while I'm out and about tomorrow if I remember.

I like your trail set idea. Never made a trail set….

You are correct that trapping season started in the best state in the union today. While I have lived in Nebr. you haven't lived in Alaska, I'll bet. In truth, Alaska is the best state in the union and most of our seasons opened today.

^^^^^
For the outdoorsman, handsdown the best, not even an argument.

Keith you should come to Coyote Days and see how those traps sets work.

First days check......1 beaver, 2 coon, from 1 beaver set and 6 coon sets


Just a little guy, in a Bridger #5LS. This is public land and I know at least one other guy traps here with his kids, so I'll pull my beaver trap.


Coon #1, from a blind trail set as described yesterday.


Coon #2, in a dogproof set in a trail leading away from a large cottonwood at water's edge.


As promised, when I use stepping sticks in blind trail sets, I do it like this. Trial curves off to left in pic, the X centers them over the pan, and stepping over the X puts their foot right on it.




All put up. Coons are kinda blue still, but I had fun today, so oh well

Oh. I thought you were in wv when you said the "best state in the union"

Awesome ours opened today too in MD. I wasn’t nearly as lucky.

Way to go.Congrats

cathryn Welcome back, have not seen you post in a while. Been busy selling produce and stuff?......jk