New to trapping

Not sure if this is even the right place to post this, but I'll learn soon enough.
I actually got interested in trapping after moving to Kansas and getting into camping. Listening to the coyotes all night never bothered me until they made into my campsite. Then the racoons that had zero fear of a 6 foot 4 300lb man screaming at it. Then seeing the bobcat. To me they were all just nature until those three interactions in one weekend and asking questions to some of the locals and finding out what a big problem they are here. My ultimate goal is what I see called ADC here on the forum. Don't get me wrong I am not looking at it as a "Hey I got my trapping permit" to "Hey I am gonna do predator control" over night. I know I have years ahead of me before I can obtain the knowledge and experience to hit the goal. I am more of a hands on type of person when it comes to learning......dont show me, tell me and let me do it type. My biggest question right now is does the trapping world have "internship" ideas. Are there trappers out there that are willing to educate with hands on experience? I am starting from zero and looking to work up. As I said I work a day job ATM and I work all week to do what? Go out in the wilderness, so why not make the move from a job I hate only to do what I love on the weekends to making my day job what I love?
Any tips for a new trapper whether it be links, bait and lure advice, trap advice to the "hey check out this guy in your area" is greatly appreciated. Looking forward to learning and hearing stories from ya'll.

what part of ks are you in? where did you move here from?

In McPherson,KS Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Moved from there in 91, bounced around from The Rosebud Indian Reservation in SD to Colorado Springs,To Indianapolis,to Chicago to Alabama and finally got married about 15 years ago. Lived in McPherson for the past 17 years.

Welcome to Trapperman R3llik! Lots of good info in the archives and good knowledgeable people as well. I looked at the Kansas Fur Harvesters Association page at the district map of directors and found your director, Richard Moss from Windom. Hopefully he can help you out or set you up with someone that can.

Sorry i forgot to add this screen shot. Here is the contact info as given on the KFHA website.

Well you are in luck. The KS fall convention is in McPherson. Go there and you will learn a lot, plus bring plenty of money for supplies!

Not sure about your area but some jurisdictions require a comprehensive trapping course in order to qualify for a licence.
You will get a complete trapping manual with all the relevant methods covered for both nuisance work and fur harvesting.
Check with your state trappers association,and they can get you on track,or at least let you know what is available to help a new trapper get started.
It is Important nowadays to know what you are doing before going out and setting traps.It doesn't take much to give trapping a bad name in the public eye when someone inadvertently catches someones pet in a trap.In fact it has led to trapping restrictions in some jurisdictions.

[quote=Railroader]Sorry i forgot to add this screen shot. Here is the contact info as given on the KFHA website.

Thanks Railroader. I have been to the page and saw in October they have a convention and planned on making some contacts there.
@Boco This is definitely something I am not going to just jump into because of the simple fact its not like other trades. If I butcher a piece of wood in my woodshop and sell it I only hurt myself. I know with trapping if I make the simplest of mistakes the anti's will twist it and put the blame not on me but the industry.
Short term goal...Rest of this year learn, learn and learn. Make contacts with locals who are willing to help me out.
Next year... continue to learn and both years stock up on supplies. Next year I plan on getting my permit and start getting hands on experience with seasonal trapping.
Third to fifth year do some coyote trapping throughout the year as well as seasonal trapping.
Fifth year get my NADC permit and start helping local folks while helping myself.

Thanks everyone for the input

Welcome to the T-man crew!!!!!

Find the local fur buyer and ask him for some names of guys that would help you out. Also like said above the convention. If you have no luck PM me

Great deal of knowledge here. Good luck and enjoy the ride.

Welcome a lot good info here to be found!

There are several trapping "schools" around the country and some of the better known/high number trappers will do one on one instruction. Not sure how close any are to you. Maybe someone can list some of them.

Here’s what helped me shorten my learning curve by decades. Join your state trapping assn, Google it. Then contact officers off their site and ask for a mentor to ride along with. This gets you in the info loop of FREE trappers ed classes and meets and fur sales/pick ups, and conventions. Then attend ALL YOU CAN, this shows folks you are serious and will be a good student. It sure helped open many doors for me and it could for you as well. ALSO, get several different trapping supply catalogs, like MTP, Sterling Fur, FandT, PCS, Schmitt enterprises, Southeastern outdoor supplies, rpoutdoors, etc etc, THEN circle gear you need, and give the catalogs to loved ones to buy your Birthday and Christmas and July 4 and Anniversary gifts. Explain to them, you want their money to go towards what you will use and need, as opposed to another sweater hanging in your closet. WORKS GREAT in our family.

Awesome tips. I think you nailed out everything I needed to know. Thanks bro I sincerely appreciate it.

Spend 39 yrs of my life in McPherson. Moved away 15 yrs ago. I'm about 40 minutes east of you. I'm not the most experienced trapper around but I'd help any way I could.

Sometimes the offer of a pack of beer or some help will get some of the more experienced trappers to agree to a ride -along. At least it's worked on me from time to time.

Welcome to trapperman R3llic

So you want to be a trapper...

I don't know R3llic... 6'4 300# how many pushups can you do?

Welcome to Tman R3llic.