He probably at the bank getting a loan to trap after reading all the comments

X2 they are way slower IMO.

I don't know why all these guys are discouraging you Hemlock95. 1000 coons if you have a big population isn't super hard to catch, not easily done either. For certain these guys are right on a couple things, but the biggest thing is taking care of your catch at the end of the day. If by chance you had a buyer nearby that you could sell green skinned coons to every other day or so, that would be a great option. Freezers cost a lot to run and like Clay mentioned you can only put 1 layer in and 4-5 coons makes a layer in most freezers. I talked to Groenwald and he's optimistic about next year's raccoon prices for the first time in many years. You for sure need a skinning machine if you don't have one. Click on my username and send me a PM (private message) if you think I can be of any further help to you.

1,000 coon is a tall order. I know only handful of guys that did that on our side of the river (Nebraska) from Deaver.
If ROW trapping is allowed that makes it a little easier but it can be done otherwise just need to bang on lots of doors. And map out a good efficient route then hustle and don’t spend much time at each stop. Learn to move the sets that aren’t producing so you aren’t wasting your time and hit new areas to keep catch rates up. Here we typically are racing the weather. Hit coon hard when it’s good, ahead of the hard freezes and heavy snows.

I’m not as good at coon trapping and it was hard for me to hit 300. That was my best coon year. Keeping up with the skinning is very hard when long lining. Same with scraping and stretching. I only had two freezers that worked well.

Carcass disposal was one of my challenges. Was fortunate to have one landowner that wanted them in his ravine area. He liked to feed the local birds of prey in winter and that pile was a big draw. He had some cool pictures of lots of hawks working it.

I will say it was a little more manageable for me to trap 300 coon than I ever could trying to catch 50 coyotes. I know there are thermals and all kinds of other means but trapping 50 of them that is still my personal goal. I still haven’t hit a 50 coyote season and that is one goal I do intend to hit before I die.

Jim

I would worry about catching 1,000 and most of them not selling - too small, damaged, etc. and ending up only selling 300. I can't figure how this could be profitable in the current market along with the price of fuel and wear and tear on vehicle / trapper. That said, go for it so you don't have regrets about something you always wanted to do.

Get geared up and go for it! You'll figure out how hard you want to run and how much you can manage.

I plan to only run the line for 10-12 days. I am a taxidermist as well so I am aware freezer space is a must. For proper storage of the hides. This will be my first attempt at long lining so I’m not expecting to catch hundreds of coons. It’s more for the learning process to make myself a more efficient trapper. Also after reading all the posts up to this point. I’m planning on running about 7-8 dozen traps as it won’t be a long term line and learn to be more efficient. I am aware the market isn’t all that great for coons but it’s not about the money for me. I know it’s going to cost some money with little returns but it’s just one more thing that keeps me outdoors and teaching my kids about trapping and the outdoors

My idea of longlining is putting in a full day of trapping and skinning. And if you have coons like we do it wouldn't be hard for ur catch to be in the triple digits in 10 or 12 days. Some guys can be in the triple digits in just a few days on coons.
I can understand ur intrest in trying it even with the fur not having much value. Id like to try it with coyotes just to say I did it and I might not live long enough for it to ever be profitable.

I hope you let us know how it goes. That should be a busy and fun 10-12 days.

Don't let these doofuses discourage you lol. I wanted to longline coon in IA 1 year and I did.......found out I sucked at it, lol. But I regret nothing about the trying!!

I appreciate all the encouragement! I will most definitely relay how it goes on this thread. Will probably update again before season with some pics of the gear prepped and ready to go!

mine too i'll just spend all my time on the internet maybe I also can become an educator