2018 2019 PA trapping is here!

Fellow PA trappers post pics of your sets and catches this season. Good luck to you all. Hoping to have few coyotes to post tomorrow.

It’s difficult, but I’m waiting a couple weeks. Best of luck to all! Enjoy your time outdoors.

I have to process a deer this morning that has been hanging since Friday and then I’m going to go put a few coyote traps out, run a short line while I’m here at camp.

you need a place to put anything or need anything Lugnut just holler.stove is already a rollin in the new workshop and i don't see me going anywhere in this crap.i'm lucky to have the time to wait.

Snowing this morning. I got a few sets out, going to put more out later on today. It actually is sticking too, at least for now.

Hanging out in your shop with the wood stove going sounds great, I’m not feeling the urge to string steel in this crap either. I have to run to Sharon Center for some homegrown eggs after we get done processing this deer, might stop over then.

Put out 9 coyote sets on the property for a start. Had a good dusting of snow till about 11am. Thank god for wax dirt or would have been sifting mud.

Can't figure out how to post the pics I got today on this tablet. But got a okay size coon (released) and coyote. Coon was in a flat set and coyote was in a dirt hole.

Caught 2 coons this morning in my yote sets. Hoping tomorrow is better for the canines.

Still waiting for a buck to show up. The rut should start to pick up soon. Might be able to put 10 muskrats on the boards this year with all the sign I’ve been seeing , that would be a new record for me

Waiting a few weeks for fur to prime a little. Not holding out for better weather........that would be like searching for a honest politician.

i've already picked up a extra bale of peat moss when i was to town the other day.

I got 3 on Sat at Lowe's they were 50% off. so I dried it out in the garage and stored 2 can never have enough peat trapping in this state's weather.

i had my usual 2bales,3garbage cans,but also saw a good deal and like you said about our weather.

Now I know fur isn't anywhere near prime. Caught a whistle pig. That's ok though, they need to go too.

man put him up,fly tyers are beggin for them.

Last night must of been possum night out got 3 of em and a large coon. Let the coon go fur had nice color to it but not keeping them till after buck season and only if there jumbo size. All three possums I caught on flat sets witch just wrecked them. Put New sets in about 5 feet away so hoping for a yote or two in the next day or two.

Are the possums prime?

bet their hungry,always are.

The only thing prime right now is
Amazon lol

Couldn't tell you haven't put up a grinner in 10 years use to have a friend who took everyone I'd catch but he no longer wants them don't blame him.

Saw a buck chasing a doe this am.
Full moon, hunters moon, peeks at quarter to 1 this pm.

this moon goes away,the deer and i will play.

You’re hammering them!

Hammering possums lol I think I'm going to 5lb pan tension.

if you build it,they will come.

That's for sure.

That third one looks so clean and light colored against that dark dirt catch circle. How did you keep it from being a mud ball?
Jim

all rock underneath him i bet,shocked how dry it is here for as wet as it has been.still starting with peat though i think.

Pcr2 is right nothing but rock. Most of my locations are old strip jobs or gas well roads very rocky stuff, so i have to predrive most my earth anchor holes with a 8lb sledge and harden spike I made. Was very blonde after a good bath. I also started with peat this year and if not in old strip job ground some wax dirt as well. Ground isn't as bad as I thought it would be with all the rain top layer doesn't sift for crap. I just walk off 20 ft or so and dig down to some what decent dirt to sift over top my set.

Well nothing today in the sets.

Possum fur can be really pretty. I kept some of the nicest ones last year and got em tanned.

Possum, Possum and more possum! They are driving me up the wall!!! I swear the devil created them just for trappers!

Always gotta thin them out every year for the first week then the good fur starts getting caught.

I'm going back to 5 to 6lb pan tension since I'm only targeting coyotes but I swear they know there's a trap there and jump up and down on it just so they get the chance to see a trapper cry lol.

I think a fellow could do good on coon , just by getting roadkills, seems there's one ever 100 yrds...

I like the looks of the one in your last pic Hammer. Is he that blonde or just the way the pic came out?

i can make 20 dollars profit on 18-20 big ones every year selling tanned.

He's that blonde.

About to go check some sets hop in today is better then yesterday morning.

i wanted to set today but as a noreaster moves in i remember its a long season a little better.too much rain in my forcast yet but after the rut or i shoot a deer it will be time no matter the weather.good luck.

Another male waiting today and 2 opossum

Hoping tonight brings another coyote two before the weather sets in really don't like them mud dog mornings lol.

No coyotes today just one muddy Red fox and coon.

rainin any??

A lot haha but sets still working.

we are almost at 3 in since last night.son and i made the best of it and each got a turkey and a pair of pheasants.

Congrats on the birds. Got 2 more red fox today or mud fox I should say haha.

I hope somebody in my part of pa is getting yote like you are Hammer. I won't set 'till after deer season, mostly just to get rid of some 'coons, 'possums, and a few fox pelts and a fisher to hang on the wall.

Keep posting your pics.

I'm hoping the rain let's up some sets are still working if they investigate em. Just seems like on the rainy nights they just cruise past the sets. But gotta work with momma nature not against or she will win 100% of the time.

I put out 6 sets on opening day just to say I'm trapping. The rains came and my dirtholes were completely full of water. Instead of re-baiting, I just stuck a straw down the hole so if a fox wants anything to eat he can suck it in through the straw and not drown. I'll wait till this slop dries up before I put out much of a line.

Gets a mud mask and a free meal haha one spoiled fox. This rain does suck I set most my sets on higher points to avoid puddles building up at or near the set.

I was wondering if some of the trappers that don’t always skin, flesh, and stretch out, if they just throw a whole coon, possum, etc in the freezer without a bag or anything to cover the animal.

I skin all my catches out the day they are caught. But I'd just throw them in a bag to keep your freezer clean.

Can't wait to see what muddy messes are waiting in the sets today.

Little muddy but got a good clean catch and safe release.

A couple coon I pulled out of a dairy farmers manure pit. 6 coon and 3 possum. There is still 2 coon, 1 possum, and 5 cats still in there. I tied my snare pole to a pull saw handle and was able to reach down and pull them out. I didn't get the cats cause I didn't want to hurt'em to bad.

I did finnaly get a decent coon going through a stream pipe set yesterday in a 220.

Bet that was a fun day.

After all this rain think I might just freshen up some sets. Here are some baits and lures I've been using.

It was fun! But my Arms were Jell-O afterward from trying to maneuver a 16 foot pole over a coons head.

I couldn't imagine. Did you skin any of them out yet how they looking? I'm still letting the ones that get in my coyote sets go.

Set out 14 DP today. Won't put my MB550's in till Sunday.

double

Anymore blonde yotes Hammer?

No not yet hoping to get more sets out this weekend the 13 I got out are all about catch circle remakes so need to get some fresh sets in near them. I try not to run more then 20 sets anymore than that it's hard to keep up with them working 10 to 12hr days. Got a nice yote and some fox today.

Nice coyotes Snyde.

This rain is getting crazy I'll be happy when it switches to snow much easier on the sets. Getting ready to check the sets with my daughter today. Good luck and be safe everyone.

Thanks you been having a great season so far. I'm with ya on the rain had enough. It's hard to tell on the first pic I posted but that female bent the crunch proof swivel above my shock and bent the spring pins on my 550.

Have had a lot better seasons in the past but also had more time to run more then a dozen or so sets and again this rain this year is way worse then the pass seasons. She must of been a fighter i,'ve never had a crunch proof bend have had plenty of bent spring pins tho.

The little one got to see some action checking the traps with me today.

Playing in the mud...

got a question, in the pa state parks some of the roads they say are closed off after deer season, do they actually close the gates or do they just not maintain them in winter

Nice catches PAskinner. I think all of us are going to be playing in the mud for awhile here in northern pa.

ah yeeeep.

do they actually close the gates or do they just not maintain them in winter
Gates will be closed & locked.

Getting any sets out soon pcr2 i think the rain is here to stay for another 2 weeks.

not yet but sooooooon,can't take it much more but when it's pouring on already saturated ground.will slowly get going this weekend i believe.

This weekend looks like it might be a ok one to get sets out.

Wish there was that snow here I'll take that over all this rain. Nice coyote

Maine,the lucky bugger.

Not PA, 500 feet from the other.

mother nature sure can blend a set can't she E??

Yep, followed a set of tracks up the road to a caught coyote the other day (a first for me).

Thanks for sharing! Looks like things are a bit sloppy for you guys yet.

Has anyone tried to sale any fur yet?

Didn't sale any but went and picked up more number 3 Dogless Bridgers at the fur buyer I go to had a coyote with me that I caught that day he said done up nice 30$ to 35$. Red fox 15 to 20 on the heavy

Thanks, Hammer. Anything on 'coons?

0 to 12 so probably 6 haha

Nice and frosty morning looking forward to checking the sets today. Who knows might just have to refresh the 13 I got out and put a few new ones in. Bought some #3 Dogless fully modified Friday boiled and waxed em Saturday, going to see how they do. Good luck today guys and stay safe.

Picked up another coon today. And set 10 MB 550 for Coyotes and Fox. Have Coons all over ,nobody traps around here anymore. Do my trap check then going Bow Hunting. All week long.

Got four fresh sets out today now enjoying a clear night sky with a fire and few cold ones with the woman. Nice little break of the wet weather.

The rain will be back tomorrow and looks like a wash out on Tuesday.

Had 2 sets out for 3 days before I caught a nice female red fox yesterday. Planning on getting some more sets out this week.

Yup woke up to a poor down. Forecast looked nice for next weekend high of 37 low of 28. Hope that weather comes and stays.

Congrats on the red fox.

I am just thankful the mink/muskrat season did not come in on Saturday. If it had my partner and I would most likely have been setting as I thought the forecast called for less than a half inch of rain. Right now everything is flooded big time. I know some canine trappers that could probably use a boat to check some of their traps today.

Picked up a grinner and red fox today. Nittany I hear you about the rain, it's getting old. I've made all my sets on high points and I know that limits some catches.

Not catching a whole lot. Supposed to have two more days with no rain!

Then cold can't wait.

Had a small coon and a dig out assuming it was the coon that dog it out then got caught in the flat set across from it. Hoping next week to have better results and more pics for you guys. Best of luck out there everybody.

between the market and even more so the weather,can't pull the trigger and start.neither is lookin much better down the road though.do like me some snow on yote sets though.

]good luck guy's.

Got this little guy and grinner today.

My 2 favorite things snow and catching coyotes. Best of luck everyone bundle up and stay safe

stop it your killin me.

I'll be stopping tomorrow going to pull everything pressure wash rewax and make a lot of wax dirt and move to new property next weekend.

Picked up a red last night thought they was exctinct in my part of PA. Couldn’t figure out how to post pics.

Come to my part they breed like rabbits. Like possums and coons they always find the coyote set first.

I love catching them. Prob would have let it go being population is so low but foot was pretty tore up. Bridger 3 dogless ain’t to friendly on young fox!

Was a cold check today pulled 10 of the 13 sets I had out. They were all the sets that I caught fur in. Going to get them pressure washed and rewaxed then reset next Saturday.

Not exactly tearing 'em up, but they look a lot nicer now without the mud.

Nice catches everyone. Work is crazy and I’ve only had 5 and now up to 8 traps out, checking before work at 4am and daylight on the weekends. I’ve caught a few fox and raccoon, but can’t post any photos from my phone, lol. One nice cherry red male I’m going to get mounted. Cold tonight and no rain so hopefully some good catches in the morning. Good luck everyone and tight chains.

Nice fox skinner!

Looking like a rainy, icy, snowy, frozen mud mess week for us Pa guys. Will be spend this week making wax dirt and mink boxes. Then get sets going again by Sat. If not next Saturday. Good luck everyone.

i'm about to get goin a little,i promise.deer running everywhere and about 300 sky carp just landed in the cornfield out back aint helpin.

Snowing good tonight here. Makes me wish I had my sets out still oh well I'll get them back out this weekend. PCR hope you get some Rollin soon.

I will be pulling all of mine on Wednesday due to Bear , Deer , and work. Won't reset until day after Christmas.

Question for water trappers, are you seeing any muskrat sign? More or less than last year?

I’m seeing very little here in central pa

2 in of snow stuck to everything when i awoke this mornin.

Oh did you make this set for coyote, I'm sorry I stepped in it and tore it apart. Haha I feel that is what he is saying.

Just got 36 sets in before this storm hits. Gonna find out if my traps bust through this snow. Hope we don’t get more than 5”

Looking like a warm spell May be on the way.

How can a guy make pocket sets with all of this rain? Can I put them on top of the bank? If pocket sets arent a good option in the rain whats another good way to target mink?

I use a ft long 6in dai. Black pipe get it at Lowe's by 10ft piece. I drill a hole threw the middle so I can stake it and 2 1 1/2s one at each end with bait and lure in middle. Another way I'll do it is I'll drive the stake threw a fish head so bait doesn't always need replaced after a catch. Just make sure to use a stake long enough to hold a coon. Just one way I trap mink in deep snow and crappy weather.

another couple inches stuck to everything here this mornin.have a set in the backyard for mink and rats.

Was planing on getting sets back out this weekend but might just wait till next weekend and run a 12 trap k9 line and a small mink line on my way to work would like to get a couple mink to have tanned.

I got 2 k9 sets and 2 pockets sets for mink in and got one coon on first check of mink sets. Hopefully keep gettin more in as time passes. Weather doesnt look so great for some days coming

Was planning to set out the small line again today but `ow looking at the weather just going to hold off till the first week of buck is past. How everyone else doing out there in this cold.

waiting to see how much rain we get tomorrow but i'll be takin off like a fat underpowered airplane in the next few days.the Oswayo was skim ice all the way across this morning and some thick edge ice that should all be goin away.

We’re supposed to have a wintry mix tomorrow and rain Monday I think I’m going to wait until deer season is over

i don't think i have the ability to wait that much longer but will hunt some everyday probably till my meat wants and needs are met.

Take a look at the size of this fox. Rather unusual coloring too.

There are a few muskrats left in PA.

he looks like he swallowed a coon whole-any fur farms around?

I haven't been seeing any muskrat sign.

got a call from a guy that wanted some muskrats gone asap. seems he went down to his ponds to do some maintenance on them. hit a rat run and rolled his 2 year old kabota into the pond.he had it out before I got there.so far I've got 5 .

paskinner he looks like a old one. Nice catch his rabbit killing days are over looks like he May of had a few before meeting that dbl long spring.

Must post as i do every year that the wife and i have lotsa room if anyone is in the area or would like to be.i'll share my huntin,fishin or trappin anytime.

I bet he's been munching pheasants. They are everywhere, and dumb as rocks. He was fat as a coon, and too big for my fox stretcher.

That fox looks like he might be a mix with some runaway ranch fox.

I suspect he was a runaway ranch fox. Oh well.

Nice catch PAskinner. That Red is a bruiser.

Wild Fox and Ranch Fox

Got a 50 gallon drum of wax dirt done up so far and 2 dozen Bridger num2 fully moddifed and 2 dozen double long springs ready to go soon as this first week of buck is over. Going to run a line till seasons end. Best of luck everyone and stay safe.

Those ranch fox are huge. I would not mind having those mixed in with local reds

i got my mushrat coni back in my pipe for a night till it all floods again.

I did a ride along with Nittany Lion & Dave Dressler today, on their Mink Line.
Had a great time with two good friends and top notch trappers.

They are certainly dealing with high water conditions as everyone in Pa. But they don't have time to whine about it, they just keep going. Line maintance is paying off this past week for them with some impressive catches under rough conditions.

Today, Jim & Dave had 3 Coon, 2 Muskrat & 6 Mink.
Dave...


Jim (Nittany Lion)...








(l. to r.) Dave & Nittany Lion

Must have been a great day riding along with friends like that, probably learn a thing or two!

rendezvous, I ride along with Nittany Lion for some time now (maybe 15-16 years now). It's always enjoyable and alot of laughs.

get em guys,i'll get after some in a while but huntin and work i'd normally turn down this time of year keep comin up.

Just watch the weather on TV, seems like a 2 week 'rain free' period. Now, that would work.

been watchin that also,interested in what the river looks like this mornin.wouldn't take much to put them over their banks again.i need to shoot a doe today and start gettin around.did set my 11o back in the pipe in my pond and have a rat that moved into a new pond i need to get.

river rose a little but actually not bad for as much rain and snow melt we've had over the weekend.towards the end of the week i should be able to finally get at er a bit.

and i fed the 270 some neck meat this mornin.

Nice mink catch!

Nice! Great pictures.

Nice action! It looks like its actually still fall there...

Got the new shop set up the past 2 weeks now. Got 50 gallons of wax dirt, 2 dozen num2 fully modified Dogless Bridgers, 2 dozen sleepy creek dbl long springs, 2 dozen 1 3/4 fully modified Bridgers (for fox), winter baits/lures, 50 gallon of dry peat moss, made a 100 more chained earth anchors, and got the new irok tires on the jeep. So now ready to get back out there just waiting till after Christmas to set up are 88 acres and another big chunk of land that I got permission to trap. Both have lots of good sign and are not hunted so hoping to fill up the new shop with more then just my supplies haha.

set a few small waterways for mink but was suprised how high the water still is.felt good.

Got some sets in Sunday, got a few coon and opossum in some DPs(which I never used before, man was I missing out), and picked up a large female coyote this morning in a flat set with a hollow bone holding lure. Gonna put a few more sets in this afternoon after work, skin out this coyote, and hope to see a bobcat waiting for me. I’ll try and post a few pics later when I’m near a computer. Best of luck and stay safe out there.

Nice pics Hern, get em.

gettin goin finally,get after em boys

The secret clothes basket set revealed! Nice catch.

Since pcr let the cat out of the bag , i think the key to that basket setup is using a white basket. It's just as effective as the blue bucket setup and will keep your traps firing with a moderate snowfall.

all about findin the right stick for the trigger.played tug of war with a big buck mink with a 11 on him and up under the bank.felt like i was fighting a northern on a tip up.-i won.

The water levels for drowning will not be a problem tomorrow morning.

Better be careful. I know a guy here that got wrote up for useing an old bone. Game warden says if its an animal part its the same as meat. He tried to fight it but lost. I never would have thought. I used them before till that happened

good luck today folks,rainin,imagine that.

I need more than luck, lol. Total wipeout, every stream we are on was extremely high, fast and muddy.

didn't get as much rain up here i don't think,but i got some muddy fur to work on.

High water always means more muskrats for me. Got half a dozen within a couple miles of the house.

Juniata River very high (11ft. Will crest at 18 tomorrow!!)and local creeks bank full. Traps on land are under water dirthole sets!!

no cat or fisher but can't complain.

That was worth gettin wet for. Nice haul PCR2

GOOD JOB PC2 !

Great check pcr!

fisher set,4 coiled bridger 2 by both front feet and fiesty.2 yrs in a row in a 4 coiled 2.

Nice catches pcr2 glad to see you finally got so steel out. I'm hoping to get another k9 line out this Saturday been putting it off week after week. Got everything ready to go so if the shop is slow Saturday going to try and get 36 sets out to end the season with.

That is crazy but I know better now. I was using like a pipe dream set, found it laying along a longing road, thought it would be a good lure holder, stuffed it into a tuft of grass and slammed a bridger 2 in front of it. Guess I’ll get me some conduit.

Nice catches pcr2, all I had Was a few water filled dirt holes and empty flat sets today. It was nice just to check in the daylight though.

Nice's catches. No Fisher today but the big coons filled up all the K9 sets I had out.had 4 doubles on coons today, all nice ones finished with 9 coon today.probably about $6 worth.and all a muddy mess.tomorrow's another day.good luck to all.looking forward to seeing some Fisher pics.

Good haul PCR2.

Putting out a cat and fisher line tomorrow. First time I've set in around...5-6 years.


Scouted last week and found several locations with tracks of both. Worked this weekend and with the rain, figured I'd just wait till tomorrow to set. I'm off and looks dry for a few days. I don't have time to maintain sets before work so everything will go in waxed dirt so I don't have to worry. I work the entire season so will be checking before work...not really going to have time to remake wet frozen sets.

Never got a chance to trap cats or fishers seriously except the year I started I kinda sorta did but was clueless lol.


I'm excited. Have a long day ahead of me tomorrow. I won't stop till I'm out of traps or it's dark...if I run out of daylight I will finish Tuesday. I'd like to get a good number of sets in all the locations so if I nab one of the other I still have a good chance at nabbing the other. There was good overlap of both critters in the same areas so that's good too. I think I have 22 traps...figure I will end up with 18 sets or so. I have a few places I wanna make walk through cubbies with traps on each end.

Went to set today, every tree root I went to was a pond, water everywhere .

Ended up only getting 7 or 8 sets out lol. (Can't remember if I put 3 or 4 sets in the one area..).


I set 2 of the areas I wanted to. I will probably get a couple more sets in the one area tomorrow and then set another area or 2.


Ended up sleeping in a little longer than I wanted...and didn't get the gear packed last night like I wanted....after spending about an hour to build a cubby I knew I had to speed that up....but dang it's a nice looking cubby!

Thought chicken wire would help speed up cubby construction but after using it on 2 it just didn't work as planned.


I am excited to check tomorrow!!! I forgot how much anticipation there is! I don't know that I expect anything....but my sets are in exact locations I had tracks last week. Just a matter of time till they work back through hopefully.

can't believe i was lucky enough to not even have to move my footholds up.1/3 of my line actually still has a pretty good snowpack.amazed at how little coyote sign i'm seeing.not complaining just saying it's odd.

5 pages back,where did ya'll go??

any fisher or cats yet???

regrouping a little today and movin to some new spots.

good luck

I don't have any fisher sign on the 2 locations I trap. The shop has been so busy I haven't had a moment to get my steel back out started out on the coyotes hard. This Saturday I'm getting steel back out there can't wait any longer. Here's a nice photo of of a catch an release before cat season for ya pcr2. Inspiration photos I guess lol.

red fox in the backyard again,pic later and hopefully the start of a good day.have a nice little line out just need to move some stuff and pick up and add some stuff.normal stuff.

I love December Reds
Here's a 'dark' from today...


Last week, I pretty much caught mangy Reds & mangy Coyotes.
Another mangy Coyote this morning, along with 2 decent Reds.

My canine sets are in grass because of the wet weather. Critters don't get as muddy...lol. sometimes

Big clumps of grass caught my eye here when scouting.
Here's a Red in the middle of a farm lane...#3 here


Grassy cross over between fields... #2 Red here plus a double on Possums


1 of 4 Coyotes at this spot. Each mangy. This was grassy. It's a mess now. Trying for the Olympic rings


mangy 4 of 4, same spot...

dang thats a bummer on the mange.haven't saw any here but the ticks on the fox and mink have me ready to cut my hair and shave my beard.how much rain we gettin this time??

... but the ticks on the fox and mink have me ready to cut my hair and shave my beard.

I saw a picture of you on here.
I was talking to Santa at the mall the other day.
I told Santa to give you a Flea Collar for Christmas

i swear i have felt 100 on me and yet to find one.i spray them in burlap coal bags to dry and kill the bugs and one of the bags had to have a 100 dead ones roll out when dumping my mink out.thats when it started.at least they are dog ticks and not deer.

I’m going to set some tonight finally I hope the rain holds off until I at least set some. A farmer friend of mine had two of his sheep attacked the other night I’m thinking bobcat because of the claw marks on their rumps and bite marks on their necks. They’re still alive but the one is limping badly.

got this guy today, 28 lbs male

Nice pics fellas.keep them coming

Expecting over 3 inches of rain in the next 24 hours or so, should put the water line in good shape.

3 inches of rain is no good on the k line

not good,my ditches are running pretty good and the Oswayo is ugly.lotsa melting and rain not a good combo.

No catches for me today

Got 7 sets out Monday and 5 on Tuesday. Haven't caught anything. I have 4 areas set where I had cat and fisher tracks about 2 weeks ago. I built my sets pretty blocked down so I don't expect K9s.

I put everything in waxed dirt.... heading out shortly to see how they survived the rain. Going to rebait and relure everything. Going to carry my remake gear incase they need some work. Haven't used waxed dirt before. Hopefully they faired decently...temp is going to fall and the critters were probably mostly holed up last night... maybe the next couple nights will be good.

Still optimistic that they moved last evening right before the storm came.

man,2 days of pullin traps was a good choice.not sure how much rain but the word ALOT comes to mind.and believe it or not the ground is already covered in snow again.lotta shop catchin up the next couple days then after it again.lotsa beaver up here when and if anyone gets the urge let me know.

Just got the wood burner going in the garage. Got the truck loaded. Sipping some coffee. 4 days off in a row so gonna make the most of it and put in a few more sets. Not very often I have this many days in a row to check and set in daylight, but gonna enjoy it. Almost like Christmas morning every day checking sets. Luckily I only need to remake six sets(working every day puts the damper on a bigger line) and then can get some new ones in. So muddy everywhere, wish Mother Nature would make up her mind.

Having my coffee and getting ready to finally pick up were I left off the first 2 weeks of the season. Hoping to get at least 2 dozen coyote sets out that I'll run till the end of season. Would love to break past last year's number 30 but with the shop booming this year and little time for multiple properties to have sets on I'll settle for half that. Good luck everyone and stay safe out there.

Happy Holidays to everyone on here.
My best to you and your families

Nice pics guys, keep them coming. I'm trapping through you all for a few more days. Than the k-9s are in trouble. Lol.
Hern the Olympic logo catch circle is a hard thing to achieve. I had one going this year, but a back foot catch ended that. Par for the course.
Good luck to everyone.
Tight chains
And full boards
And stay safe out there

livin up to your nane this year.

stuttered,duck hunters in the backyard just opened up with the 3 1/2's.2 ny guys that hunt ducks every day and own a pile of land in NY i get to trap.best deal we both have ever made.my place is known to them as the honey hole outta 2 states and 30 blinds.

Not as much as normal. Hard to pass up work, even during trapping season.
Hern says you need a flea collar, he hasn't seen me in a few seasons. Lol

Is it possible to make a nice dirt hole with all of this mud? I covered my traps with leaves and grass and attempted to blend

Put in a few sets today once the sod is out of the way dirt was to bad. I use a lot of wax dirt tho so makes it easier to dress a dirt hole up with. But natural mouse burrow looking hole with very small dirt pattern works better when the ground turns to slop or freezes solid.

Nice pale male. Added a third dirt hole there this morning. Did some scouting yesterday and found very little sign but set this location cause it was up high and dry and a heavy game used saddle. I can’t post pics from my phone still, opens another page of trapper man. Gonna have to settle for my video lol. Family coming in from Texas today, can’t wait to see them. I’m gonna get my brother in law out with me tomorrow, and possibly Christmas morning. My dad was with me today. He was pretty excited about the red this morning. Actually got my pic taken with the red in the trap. Try and post later. Merry Christmas everyone, wish you all health and happiness

Got a big female Bob cat and coyote today. Having trouble getting my photos to load onto my tab once I get it figured out I'll post em. Good luck everybody and stay safe.

big rain event forcast for the end of the week.sick of it.

X2

I’ve been hoping it would get cold and stay cold, and freeze things up. Most of the ground here is a sloppy mess, or bed rock.

Got close to an inch of snow last night, oughta make the morning checks more enjoyable.

My family got in from Texas yesterday afternoon, and my niece said she wanted to check traps this morning. Hopefully have something waiting for us today. Her older brother on the other hand has a laptop setup with lights strobing, head set with a microphone, like he’s trying to send a shuttle to space. Makes me wonder, but who am I to judge, maybe he’ll be sending shuttles to space one day and I’ll be drinking a beer on my deck laughing about it.

nice job

Thanks pcr2 was a ton of coyote sign there so put the set in Saturday. Then Sunday she was waiting there. Really like the Bridger number 2 Dogless fully mod always get a good catch with em.

Nice cat Hammer!
Pcr every week is a major rain event in Pa

no doubt,just went out and tunked a grey in my backyard dirthole.sure are pretty right now.

Nice job hammer, those Bridger dogless are nice for sure.

Thanks guys. Pcr2 nice grey! Had a nice surprise in the coyote set today wish I hadn't forgot my camera in the jeep. Caught a mink in a dirt hole set. I don't know how he got the trap to fire with the pan tension I use but had from his front shoulders to his head in the trap.

Great Catches Hammer and PCR2!! Caught a male grey this morning with my brother in law and niece with me. Made for a nice snowy morning here.

Nice catches & pictures folks.

Hammer, once in awhile I'll catch a buck Mink in a Canine set.
Here's a Mink on top of a high field. No where near water.
Groundhog holes, far left, may have been attractor, plus the CRP field holds Rabbits & Mice.


Here's an unexpected double...

Congratulations on the cat hammer . pcr that's a nice dark grey , good job .

^^^^^ that’s cool Hern!

Good job fellas. I'm still chasing a Fisher here. It's taking a little longer this year. Can't keep the coon out of my sets. I had a real interesting morning today.had to release a bobcat. It's never fun especially in the dark. Lol ,but I got him out and on his way. Maybe some day they'll open up 1B for bobcats. Good luck all.

Still nothing for me. 12 sets out...in 4 locations I've had fisher and bobcat tracks prior to the season. 1 fired trap from a deer was all the excitement I've had. Probably pulling everything tomorrow.

Well I finally got on my laptop and got some pics loaded from the last week. Couple nice furred critters. Maybe tomorrow will bring a Christmas Cat or Coyote, or 2. A man's allowed to dream.

Hern I'd like that surprise double in my line lol. That's how that mink was no water for miles but hey I'll take it.

Nice catches guys. I finally got some steel in the ground today. Only 13 sets, but I'll take what I can get this season.
Wishing you all a marry critter Christmas morning

couple fresh inches of snow to play in today.Merry X-mas everyone.

Picked up two more reds this morning. One of them was a beautiful cherry red. The other was the usual frosty rump we get around here.

buck made a scrape in the backyard complete with yellow snow last night.coyote went between the 2 houses though.game on.getting ready to go again now that i'm cleaned up from the flood.straight canine line now and not a big one at that.ready for some calling with the son.

I pulled in one of my farms this morning a two reds took of from a field beside the lane. They were together but I didn't see if the were mating, fighting or just hanging out before they ran.

i'm ready to hop on the 4 wheeler and see where the coyote went.inch of fresh snow so i should learn a little today if nothing else.

Got a coyote and a big boar coon today merry Christmas

headed out to get a nice canine line set up.good luck and be safe to you beaver trappers,

There is no such thing as a dirt hole set in Pa anymore. It is now going to be renamed the soup hole set because of our rain schedule

another red in the backyard before i could even get going.

Congrats pcr2 got 2 big coon and my buddy got a nice bobcat.

That's a nice red there pcr2

wow this season has sucked so far.... been chasing a cat since the opener had issues with this lovely weather and freezing. i have been using a ton of flake anti freeze and peat but everything is so wet had two of my cat sets froze up and the 3rd the peat was soaked when i checked yesterday. im in southwest pa. i plan on making waxed dirt next year just didnt have time this year.

any other tricks to try?

did land 2 coons (let one go) and a 40 lb beaver thursday

not figurin on much with the winds we had last night.sounded like a train goin by all night and there aint no trains near me.tight chains all.was 51 when i went to bed and snowing now.

Wvuarmyeng if you can't get wax dirt made up till next season switch to just table salt or just use grass clippings. Hay sets work well not need for dirt or peat just cover trap with some duff.

Pcr2 I hear ya on the wind woke up and the yard looked like a scene from twister. Got six of the 12 traps out checked to dark for my tablet to take photos but got 2 coon and a grinner. So not expecting any coyote in the other 6 but fingers crossed. Be safe everbody.

i'm running strictly reground straw chaff with decent results so far.about like Zaggers system i guess.trying something different strictly cause of the weather otherwise i'd be using peat sprayed with glycol..

All I produced this morning but made my day. Flat sets. Both females and had mites bad. Headed to my daughters swim invitational and then back home to enjoy dinner and some college football. Have a great Saturday everyone.

Congrats on the double mangy or not 2 less coyote running around pa is always a good thing.

Thanks and I agree. I get to check in daylight on the weekends, it’s so much more exciting. And seeing a coyote in a trap will never get old to me.

Nice grey Snyde!

Am posting these pics for Coalminer





John, I can't turn pics upright.

The second fisher looks like a big one.

Nice catches guys my season is ending early I feel. I'm going to try and keep at least 6 sets close to home going but being that I've takin 9 coyote of the property I don't feel there much more to get maybe tho. But I broke my hand last night 2 bones in the palm my thumb and three fingers. Best of luck to all you guys and stay safe out there.

So I don't have to hurt my neck.

If it is the end for me my end counts 13 coyote 6 red fox 10 coon all released 1 bobcat released early season and one kept during season 3 grey fox 1 mink and endless possums hahaha. Next season I'm hoping to be able to take a month off from the shop and run some big lines and hope for alot more coyotes. I miss back in the days when I could spend all day trapping for the entire season but the wife's diner is busier this year then ever and my shop is booming this year as well so they gotta come first. Wish all you guys good luck and pray you all stay safe and have a happy New Year.

Thanks I'll have to try the salt.... ok I like hay sets was just trying to expand this year and the weather doesn't want me to I guess. Going out new years to move my cat sets to hopefully nail hil before the end of the season. I'm going to use the beaver meat and castor glands from the one I caught. I also have a wing tip from a goose and some down if the coons havenr him those sets over night. Still in the learning phase wish I had more time to get better at it.

A nice grey this morning in a dirthole. Have only three sets out for cat but I know they travel this same ridge as these fox, so I reset and made a huge blown out dirthole with more guiding. See what tomorrow brings.

Nice catches everyone, and great pics. Thanks for sharing.

Bummer about the hand, Hammer. Take care, heal soon. Skinning ain’t easy with only one paw in use.

Had a turkey in the smoker at 225f since 545am. Oughta be done in another hour or so, looks and smells good. New smoker so this is the maiden voyage.

90% of what I’ve learned about trapping and fur handling, I’ve learned on this forum. The other 10% through my own common sense, mistakes and successful experiences everyday in the woods. I just want to thank everyone on here for what you contribute and keep sharing, makes us all the wiser.

Thank u Hern and Lugnut!

Here is a red that I caught yesterday on some family property just down the road. The second one is from today on my little line at home. More to come soon in these remakes

Good job on the the catches guy's . Hope your hand heals quickly hammer . Got two beaver this morning want to get a few more sets out later .

Sorry to hear that Hammer, get healed up. I'm just starting to get in the groove here, Been kinda layed up here also.took a tumble down the basement steps a few weeks back and broke my tail bone, jacked up my shoulder, broke a finger on my right hand and 2 bones in my left foot. Dr.said take it easy til end of February Early March, I said "yeah right,you have a better chance of winning the power ball than me taking it easy.its trapping season" I'm definitely moving slower but at least I can still get out there. Sucks getting old, just don't recoup as fast as when we were Young. Good luck to you, hope all goes well.

Thanks guys I hope it heels up enough so I can try and keep 12 sets goings for the end. Setting I can do some what just takes way more time then I like spending at a set. Skinning on the other hand and fleshing is next to impossible being that its my right hand.

I’m getting the itch to go after some beaver. Might as well take advantage of the open water

Nittany Lion had a mild heart attack late last week.

Sunday, I visited Nittany Lion.
He's having a heart catherization today. Monday.

Jim was in good spirits and seem like himself.
He did say he shoulda went to the doctor two days earlier. He was having chest pains for several days.
After the doctor's exam, Doc told Jim he had a mild heart attack. And went on... I'm getting you to the nearest hospital, NOW.

Jim said, if things go right, he'll be home for New Years Day & Penn State football game.

On a side note, I talked with Dave Dressler, Jim's partner before my visit.
Dave said he pulled 139 traps Saturday with the help of his brother. Leaving a few dozen set so Dave can check until the Lion lands back on his feet.

Dave stated Jim hit his goal on Mink Saturday.
I told Jim, Dave said he hit his goal. Did you ever see a Lion smile? He was purring like a kitty.

*I'll try to keep updates.

Nittany Lion
The Mink Master

Best wishes Nittany lion... GO PENN STATE !!!!

routing for ya Nittany.inch of rain and 60 mile an hour winds have brought me to the conclusion its time to pull for a while.

Get better Ninny.
Big Thanks to the helper, we're sure it makes the Lion rest easier.

No wind here YET, news says 50 mph coming soon.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Jim. You know the doctors will have you not doing much, & with the heart catheterization, I know you will not be doing much all week.

Here is my first Pa. Fisher, big male weighed 12 lb. 13 ozs.. Did have another post on the form.

Hey Nittany, I wish you a speedy recovery.

And to all of the people on trapperman, hope you all have a safe and healthy New Year.

Coytclr,
Nice fisher. What county did u catch it in, and what kind of set?

Well, got my kitty. We will not talk about how many miles were driven, how much energy expended, or how many empty traps were checked to get there. Actually, I got a bigger bobcat the next day (of course) and had to release him.

I hope to get one these last few days. Going going to set on a new location

Nice cat PaSkinner!

Congrats on the cat!

Congrats, looks like a nice one..

Perry County 4B, just added to the Fisher season this year. Used wire cubby.

PAskinner, Congratulations on the Bobcat, nice looking. Don't think you were the first one this year that caught a cat & then caught another one & had to leave go. I forget if I read that or a video, but he had his same day. As put down the first one, & as kept checking traps had another one, that was bigger.

Just pulled my line. Back to work tomorrow. 2018/2019 season totals. trapping 120 Acres mostly mountain.

17-Coons
18- Possums
4 - Skunks
1 - Porcupine.

Beautiful cat Skinner. Hope everyone had a happy safe new year!

That's an awesome pix PASkinner? I would enlarge it a bit and frame it up. What kid of tree is that cat laying against with that fat old trunk...?

Man great catch on the cats. Haven’t seen any sign in a month. Picked up a decent coyote this morning. Cats are eluding me, got a few more days.

Hey guys great thread. I love to see your getting cats and fishers! maybe soon in my area of Ohio will soon see a season as they migrate over the NE sector. i did hear of a Fisher in Sheffield Ohio are n a game cam. Whoo hoo

Long tail weasel

Nice!

Nice Catch

Live catching those little killers

gonna put up some fur this morning and get ready to get back out there.lets hope this weather straightens out for the new year.good luck folks.

The hand is feeling a little better swelling is gone at least might try to set a few. Not liking the drive to work everyday with out traps to check. Got a box of 16 penny's I'm just going to power bed my traps the best I can with one hand. Enjoying seeing everyone catches keep it up guys. Good luck and be safe.

hope this weather straightens out....
ha ha ha ha ha

Adapt or Die
Mark Zagger circa 2008

More big rain on the way tonight and tomorrow.

nope,gonna hit coudy but not here.my story and i'm stickin to it.

next flood isn't till monday here.

I'm not an expert on pines, but I think it was a Spruce. Re set with the idea of catching a canine with all the cat smell and had a tom bobcat the next day. He was not easy to release, good thing there were two of us.

I run weasel boxes on my line to fill some gaps.we are in big farm country with lots of rouck property boundaries that I do well in plus the swamp areas, I find areas they like to travel in the high grasses of the swamps and place boxes under the grass.hides boxes well just sometimes have to mark them on GPS, lol.it can get confusing finding them sometimes in a sea of 5' tall tan grass.

i lied,gotta be a 1/4 in of ice froze to everything out there.glad i only have a couple out back.

Cool weasels!!! Never tried trapping them yet. Raining again. I haven’t put my boat away yet cause I may still need it to check traps. Gonna head out shortly and check. I may keep a half dozen k9 sets running after tomorrow in the chance I can pick a few more coyotes. Hoping to see a kitty this morning or tomorrow. Good luck out there and stay safe

Anyone using Cable Restraints? Having any success?
Canines are moving during this cold snap, pairing up & breeding season.

Anyone after Beaver?
We have limit of 5 here, so it doesn't' take long to limit out.

dang Hern,i thought my 20 limit was bad.we'll all have to invade Finster and his 40 limit.

5 is enough for this ole guy.
Remember, I like to drive up to my Canine sets...I'm lazy.

Trapping beaver to make landowner's happy.

I've been catching some. Up to 7 on one colony. This pic was during the warm up, had a double on boar coon in a trail. Just had two beaver kit's yesterday and got big mama the day before.

i'd like a 3 or 4 day stretch in the kayak when its not flooded but we'll see.

Seen a fisher mid-day Tuesday.
That is five years in a row, and I'm not looking for them.

This was not a trophy, just a regular one lol.

There were otter tracks on the ice real close to a pinch point with a 330 today. I pulled the trap. It's cool to have them, I guess, but I don't want to catch another one if I can help it.

Is anyone going to set for Otter this month?

No otter trapping here. But I'm going to set some coon traps tomorrow.
With this warm snap coming ( Monday 57 high 40 low) I'm hoping to pick up a few 3x4x to add to my collection.

watch for my thread later for guys that wanna come up and trap beaver folks.great opportunity for some gettin together and trappin.