Had a Comstock and a Hancock trap set at a dam under a bridge on state land. Nuisance permit. Some scumbag walked off with my Comstock. Camouflaged as much as possible, but still visible. Encon Officer took a statement etc, but not expecting much. Rural, very low traffic spot. Probably a local. Will order a couple cell cams asap.....and another Comstock trap. Someone tampered with it a few days ago, but left it there (possibly released a beaver). I should have called Encon then.

Dang, that sucks. Having footholds and bodygrips stolen is bad enough, but losing a Comstock is down right painful.

Use the trap as bait and set one of those bear traps with teeth in the approach

That is a giant p.i.a.
You work hared making money to purchase good equipment and some no good slug swipes it.

Mac

run a magnet around the deep water

often if they are just mad at your trapping because they are anti , they don't want it they just don't want you to have it.

^^^Great advice.

I had a set near the river , catch released one day , I foolishly reset not having had it happen before I figure I caught again that night , next day trap pulled , 2 stakes laying in the water in about 6 inches of water I expect the trap took a deeper swim than that.

it was a shame too because that spot caught almost every night

Had the same thought. Water is murky, and I was discussing that possibility with the encon cop. There's actually something in the water that looks like a cage, but it was there beforehand. I have a fishing magnet, I'll bring it tomorrow.

Just after reporting the theft, a mink ran across the road less than 10 yards from me, and since I needed some bait for a turtle job a few miles away, I wet a line and caught 24 bullheads, 3 for the turtle and 21 for supper. Must be a lot of hungry bullheads there, they were aggressively taking the bait within seconds, at noon time. No bluegills, 2 dace, and a 4" LM bass. The theft put a damper on an otherwise beautiful day.

I feel your pain buddy. Nothing worse than a low down trap thief.

I would check the water. Comstock traps are approx. 25 pounds, a lot for someone to haul out.

Thieves & liars are the worst, they will both do you wrong behind your back.

nothing worse than someone steeling traps,

Whenever I see the need for using a cage trap,, I now use a heavy chain and padlock to help prevent theft.
I believe fines and penalties should be enforced and extremely stiff when expensive equipment gets stolen.