Trapping Season Prep

What else should I do to prep for the trapping season? This is the first year I'm running solo and I'm putting a lot of thought into it, so I can set my line easily with only one guy. I'm going to be mainly water trapping, so what are some hacks for easy setup with one guy? I already have traps dyed, bait and lure arranged, and a few spots scouted. Thanks in advance!

-TheYouthTrapper

I start pre baiting around now

Get permission to trap at least four times what you want or need.
Things go wrong, land is sold, a partner cancels, a spouse says no, or you find the spot doesn’t look good.
Give yourself plenty of options.
When scouting estimate sets and trap needs.
Consider strategy. Set up everything at once, or work thru the land gradually?

To me, the worst event that can ever happen when running a small, medium, or big line is running out of good trapping ground.

If your traps are all ready to go and you have all the equipment ready to load up and go, scouting is your next move. When you scout take notes, start picking set locations, etc. that way when it’s go time you pull up to a spot, you already know exactly what you need at that spot and where it’s going so no time is wasted looking around and figuring out how to set up that spot. You just punch in sets and leave.

I'll second everything above. I'm on a very tight timeline with work and life but still manage a pretty big line in the mountains every season.

Start doing a lot of scouting and line prep. Drive the line, take note of how long it takes to get to each set location, do the math on how many sets you can run and make a plan based on how much time you have minus windshield time vs time per set location etc. For example, if you have 2 hours to check traps and 1 hour of driving time, how do you distribute traps across that hour of "trapping time"? 20 minutes at one location checking X sets, then 4 more locations at 10 min each? 20 locations at 3 min each? Etc, etc.

I've found that making a plan and sticking to it (vs trying to figure it out on the fly) nets me more productivity when it comes to time afield. Know what sets you're gonna make where, what kind of anchor system you'll need, what you need to carry with you to make the set, etc. If you've mentally planned it all out, you should be able to roll up to a set location you should be in and out fast. Budget in a little time on you line to scout something new each check, follow tracks in fresh snow, or to deal with dispatch, remake, etc. A good line will take years to develop so have realistic expectations and have fun are the most important things to remember!

I would say write down the things you feel are really important. Scouting notes, etc... Once you are up and running a guy tends to fall into autopilot mode. Every couple of weeks review and add to those notes. And the landowner permission season is 52 weeks long.

Get as much sleep as you can before season. Put on 20-25 pounds because once you start you be tired and losing weight.

Sadly with school happening during the whole season I won't be getting much sleep and also if I put on 20-25 pounds I would be a lot more rounded out.

if your solo on the water more than waste deep , wear the PFD , keep a sleeping bag in your truck , spare key someplace

if you go under and get wet in the cold you need to be ready to get yourself out and get warm.

GPS you line and or draw a map leave it at home so they know where to look for you if you get stuck , break down , fall in and phone is dead

Get a part time job to pay for your trapping. Unfortunately fur trapping is a losing propersition at the present.

Checking traps before school you will push animals away from sets.
Where you can, use binoculars to check from a distance.

I'm going to be checking them after school since I don't have time before school, I'm mainly water trapping, so can't really use binos for a lot.

I mow yards and do odd jobs and that pays for a lot of it, I'm not too worried about the money side of things since I have realized that it won't be a money maker but it's fun for me.

I'm just trapping muskrats and mink, so the water is usually only waist deep and I'm usually trapping right on public roads, me and my dad both have onx, so he knows my line and that shouldn't be much of a worry.

Scout. If you have spots on your line where the water levels stay fairly consistent, you can do things now like creating cubbies or pinch points for mink. In the 2 weeks leading up to season, you can start digging pockets. Do you have plenty of bait made up yet? Plan to use fish for bait?

I have quite a bit of predator bait for coyotes which since coyotes aren't worth anything I was planning on using for mink and weasel. I have plenty of lure, still waiting for apples to drop for rats. The coyote bait is a beaver bobcat mix that I got from a guy that used to trap and I have probably a pound or more of that.

Hope you have some water, it's about all gone in SE SD. Take advantage of them rats when you have them, they disappear fast when it drys up.

Lots of water left, it just rained again tonight and it's going to rain for the next 2 days most likely as well. I went out scouting today and the water at one spot was almost above the road, another road just dried up and finally got uncovered, and another one just got watered over again.

Mink like FRESH bait. Like, really fresh. I'd spend some time going fishing, then freezing quart sized ziploc bags of fresh fish... change out the fish in your pockets every few days. I personally wouldn't use tainted coyote bait for mink.

Ok, so should I be looking for a perch, sunfish or just whatever I can get my hands on?

Carp, suckers, bullhead, catfish. An oily type fish.

Muskrat meat is just as good if not better, too.

Ok, thanks for the advice!