I’m trying to put together a logbook for trapping this season. I know l want to record the date, location, set type, number of sets, lure or bait used but lm trying to figure out how to log catches then remake set type and bait or lure used. So far l can get the first set logged but the best format on catches and remakes has me scratching my pumpkin head. Also do you make notes on weather, moon phase etc.?
If any one would mind sending me a PM with examples of how you do your logbook it would help me a lot. So far l have been making notes on my cell phone but l know within two months l will be wondering what was what. If it’s easier to shoot me a picture my email is obxfishnuts@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance,
Leary

on remakes, I would just log it as a new set, because it is unless youre using drags or slides.

I use a waterproof surveyors fieldbook (Durawrite, Rite-n-the-rain, etc.) And I number the sets with the number they are marked in my GPS with. (and yes, sometimes I forget to use the GPS, in which case I leave the number blank unless I mark them when checking) I leave 3 or 4 lines between sets. I put down date set, type of set, trap used, lure or bait used, and sometimes whether on a drag or staked solid. Then whenever I make a catch I add the date of the catch, what was caught, how it was remade (same trap, different trap, new lure or not, made into a flat set with pile of debris and turds from catch circle, etc.) or if it wasn't. Any time I relure or have to remake the set, such as converting it from a set in dirt to a snow set because it has snow two feet, etc, I note what I did and the date. If I have misses or walk bys I also note that, the date and any information that might be helpful later, such as had a walk by two feet from set and never broke stride, or had interest but the animal circled the trap several times but wouldn't commit, set was worked from side, or back, or set was worked properly with tracks over the pan but due to six inches of frozen snow over the trap it didn't go off.

Basically I note anything that might be helpful when looking back later, so I can see which lures are the most effective, or if a lure might need to age or have smaller amounts used before the animals are confident enough to work it, or if certain sets routinely get worked from the back or side. Or if a location is not as good as I thought, because it has no or few visits in an extended time. Also tells me which traps function best in the most adverse conditions, which ones need repaired after a catch, etc.

Oh, and I only take notes on canine sets, I guess marten sets, water sets, etc. I am confident enough or don't have enough variables, etc. that I don't bother.

That’s an excellent point Sniper had not thought of that because l don’t use drags because l don’t have enough vegetation in areas to get drags to work.

bearcat2 Thank you for your reply

I think I need a secretary, I might mark a tablet with where I made a set in a new area. But I normally don’t. If trapping coyotes I use all the same traps, maybe 3-4 lures. Never take notes. My hands and everything are dirty, and I’m rolling as fast as I can. I might be one a better trapper if I slow down I guess.

wws

I record the sets used, traps used at said sets, any catches and the dates of the catches, and the general weather(temp., cloudy/sunny, etc). Temperature records have helped me a lot in determining animal movement. I also record if I have high water conditions. High water generally shuts down animal movement in my area until the levels start to drop.

I write the sets I use in kind of a short hand. Examples would be; B.E. for Bottom Edge, D for drowner rig, D.H. for dirt hole, you get the idea. And I do note if I use just lure at a set or just bait. I have been only using one brand of lure since I started trapping. This is the 1st year I'm going to try some other lures, so that will be noted. Certain sets like DPs I set with the same bait and lure so I don't feel the need to record that.

Hope this helps some

can't remember where i got it at.

PM sent

https://fntpost.com/product/don-powells-trapline-score-books#:~:text=Don%20Powell%27s%20%22Trapline%20Score%20Books%22%20give%20you%20an,details%20of%20over%20150%20locations%20on%20your%20trapline.

BC2 pays attention to detail. That is what it takes

Leary, I would leave remakes & additional catches under the same set number.
That allows you to put correlations together as far as catches go.

I don’t bother with weather or moon phase data.

I take note of any wise guys or bad hombres I encounter.
Any set interaction before or after a catch should be recorded.

When you look for and find patterns, it leads to adjustments that result in catches.
The devil is in the details when it comes to the coyote line.
That is what record keeping is all about.
That’s how you stay one step ahead of Wile E.

150.00 IPad with 20.00 Avenza App. (am sure there are other Apps now) covers what I do. Bought it 5 years ago and have my own code to mark waypoints with the gear, catch, etc,. Maybe too much for the average guy but I am pretty forgetful and "challenged" in my old age so when I pull up a set or we have a 2 day blizzard I can find what I want. Thanks to Bruce Rhoads from Iowa for suggesting this to an old man. ............... the (old and extremely challenged) mike. ...... P.S. fasten a styles to the cover and DON'T use your hands to navigate the screen!!!!

That sounds awesome—not overkill. It's good data, and if the DNR got on board, it would help with the biology side, too.

i fear i'm to old for the electronics, i have a little 6x10 journal, open one side draw a map of property lines and number each trap on the map

then on the other side, put the number, set type and lure, i remake with the same scent as before, last week i had 7 check days 4 great whether 3 downpoor

1 trap connected the first 4 days, trap circle didn' affect anything, and now i know they really like that bait gland lure combo, or it was a perfect location

either way, next year i can look at the map, and drop a couple traps in the same spot