2018/2019 Fur harvester thread!

For the kids forum members, post what you catch!!! See how you're faring compared to other young trappers. Obviously no
non-target animals.

So far I got two Possums in the 5 days I've had set traps in the ground. One was the size of my fist so we let him go. The other one we kept so that he wouldn't bother us again. We also caught a groundhog (I still have no idea where his den was!).

Connected on my first yote of the year tonight. 38lb Male in a "pipe dream set," this year is my first year ever using the set too.

You guys are killing me lol. I still got 15 days of waiting!

I'm on the same boat as you Ave

I'd like to say I trapped these but I helped a dairy farmer remove these guys from a manure pit. We rigged my snare pole up to a long wooden shaft and cranked them out. I can tell you after fishing for them for 3 hours my arms were Jello last night and are stiff and sore today! There were 8 coon, 4 possum, and 5 cats(which they were going to remove with a leaning board so we didn't hurt them trying to pull them up with the snare pole. The farmer used to trap when he was a kid so we let two coon in to call in other coons.


Does it work that way? Will the still trapped coons call in other coons?

The heaviest one was really cool looking and weighed 23 pounds. Sorry I don't have better pics.

Got a big ole skunk this morning.

Our season opened on the 25th, I am dyeing traps today. I can't wait to set some but I normally wait until some time around Dec 15th.

This one was also in a pipe set, I am starting to really like zagger's set for this rainy weather.

A couple greys from this weekend.

I wish we had some greys around here! Looks like your making some great catches guys. I’ve still got a week of waiting! Zach, Do you prefer the pipe dream set with only grass, or dirt and grass to cover the trap? I’ve seen guys do it both ways. Thanks

This little fellow got caught first night of the season!


The skunk above got hooked yesterday!

Forgive me, but what is the "Pipe Dream Set"?

Hey looks like your doing good this season! Thanks for the pictures! It’s a coyote/fox set that involves a piece of plastic/electrical pipe around 10 inches long. The pipe is pounded into the ground, usually in front of your backing. The pipe should have a hole drilled into it, so it doesn’t fill with rain. Bait and lure goes in the pipe, and the trap is bedded in front of it. Usually, grass clippings are put over the trap. It’s supposed to be rain and snow proof. Mark Zagger is the inventor , and there’s a really long thread on the strictly trapping forum if you want to look into it further.

I prefer just grass, my dad likes both peat and grass. As far as being the most weather proof grass is probably best.(That's how Zagger does it) Both of us dig a deep bed, line the bottom with peat, then wedge the trap in. I really like this set for being rain resistant, I have yet to find out to first hand how freeze proof it is.(Should be good) I just set up a new farm with all pipe sets tonight, tomorrow's check should be good.

I had a huge boar coon this morning 20+ pounds. I had trouble weighing him on a bathroom scale, but I had try to weighgh him he was so big. Other than that nothing much here. I'm going to throw a few more foot holds out tomorrow if it isn't raining.

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4093801/1

Anybody connecting on anything? Here's a couple from the past few days.

Way to go Zach! I still have to wait until season comes in! How’s the pipe dream set working for you? I’m really considering giving it a try as this weather is terrible. Thanks

Thanks, I would definitely try it. The terrible weather is why I started putting in more pipe sets. I was planning on trying it this year, but the rain didn't slow down and all of my dirt holes kept filling up with water. Although the dirt holes still produced, the pipe sets are out producing them so far.

Here is a pic of my latest catch. I also caught a Badger using Reuwsaat's "Ornery Badger" lure & "Deep Creek" Bait, a skunk, and a rat in a Victor #1 ls but I could not post the pics sorry


I caught this coon by both hands using dry dog food pellets and Reuwsaat's Fish Oil.

As a side note--coon do not have hands,people have hands.Coon have front and back feet.
I mention this because so many anti trappers try to humanize animals.
Tom

A possum a day!!! No emoji can describe what I'm feeling right now.

I caught a ton of possums too. I think I am like at 13 of them, finally quit catching them now because of the cold.

I see your point, BogMaster. I say hands because...well that is what they look like!

We have a front coming in tonight, the next couple hours may be good. (I hope school is canceled so I can go check in daylight!) I caught a red tonight and saw a big one I think was with it. My plan is to pull K-9 sets friday and set water traps saturday, as deer season and bear season are fast approaching. Who else from PA is setting for rats and mink Saturday?

I wish we had water critters nearby or else I would be setting saturday. For some reason we don't have any rats on the stream that I have the ability to trap. Only 1 more year till I can go wherever the wind takes me. Counting down the seconds until I can drive. Once I can drive I will try water trapping.

I have almost all my traps out. I will still be trapping through deer season on most of the properties I am currently trapping. All of them are somewhat near roads and\or are on properties that no one hunts.

Still haven't caught much other than possums the past week. Some odd stuff that got released but mostly possum.

Finnaly got a small coon today. Got him in a DP that I was going to move since 3 weeks ago cause it wasn't catching anything. I just didn't take the time to and miraculously got him.

Also saw tons of fox tracks. One ran about 5 ft. From my trap. My goal this season is to trap one and kill one with a gun predator hunting. Neither of which I've done yet.

Mom came home this afternoon. And saw a fox tail going in our field. I grabbed the gun and call and went out. She said she thought it was a grey so that's how I called. After a bit of calling we stopped and started tracking it in the snow. To beer understand where it ran and to hopefully jump it. We ran in to it after tracking for about 150-200 yards. It popped up about 75 yards away and ran. Oh yea, there were three of us, all brothers. So when it ran and stopped to look at us awhile I was surprised. I turned the call on and we all knelt in the middle of the field. It sat down and watched me at about 100-125 yards. If I had it sighted in past 100 I would have shot it. It finnaly trotted toward us and I saw its head at 50 yards. I pulled up and was ready to shoot when it started trotting toward us some more then the wind shifted and the last I saw of him was his rear end in my scope.

I had to share one of the more exciting predator hunts this year. Thanks for reading!

Got me my 5th bobcat this week but this computer won't let me post pics! Caught her at a blackened stump set using coon urine & MarkJune's "Canine Candy." Caught her in a B&L #2 cs.

Trapre, them fox can be tricky, keep trying for them and eventually you'll connect on one. Author, congrats on your fifth cat, can you keep all of them in Texas?

Yes, sir!

Caught my 2nd coyote yesterday, thought it was a pretty good lookin dog

Nice yote, what kind of set did you get it in?

Who's got some sets out? I pulled the rest of my rat traps today for deer season. Here's a couple pictures from the line.

I Pulled all my sets today for gun season. Hopefully I can reset them before too long. I caught a few coon today and a couple of possums.

I caught it in a dirthole set on the edge of a hay field. Using Andy Weiser’s range boss as bait.

Finnaly!!! Four years of trapping, three years of hoping and targeting fox, and $300+ later it's Gonna my paying off! The red I caught yesterday in a crappy(I thought) dirthole. And the gray I caught today!!!

Persistence pays off.Way to go!
Tom

Awesome, congratulations on your first fox!

Nice job on that Pa,k9🗡

Well, the catch has dropped off for me!

Finally doing some good. Getting some yotes, a lota coons, and a badger. Just too lazy to resize pics to put them on here

I caught a big boar coon in the same set I caught my bobcat in a few days ago.

My dog decided to fight but got some hair ripped out!

To cool!!!

Awesome!

Reset a small rat line yesterday. Caught number 16 and 17 today.

Nice rats! Wish we had more, but they are about extinct here. Hopefully I will get a deer soon, then i will move on to targeting cats. I got a lota good cat ground to trap this year, and will be going hard after I get a deer

We don't have a ton of them here either. My dad said when he was a kid, anywhere there was water there was rats. Let us know if you get any cats possum.

Well, I had someone steal my trapping hatchet out of my pack recently!

I haven't been trapping here in a while I caught 3 opossums a while back then pulled traps for deer season but had no luck killing a deer so I while probably set traps again this weekend maybe sooner

Nice man!

Caught my first ever Fox today! It was a female Grey Fox caught with a Victor #2 LS, at a feather set using Bobcat Meat based bait made with Reuwsaat's Bait Solution, plus bobcat scat, and urine.
Couldn't upload pics. Sorry!

Awesome!!! Nothing like that first fox catch feeling right!!! Still pumped about my first ones!!!

Speaking of cats I caught 3 the other day. The only downside of that is you cant posses them here in NJ. So I had to go into work late because I had to wait for wildlife control to show up.

Been pickin up some yotes. This cold snap has been really good for that. Still trying to shoot a deer, but managed to get some cat traps set. Guess Well see if theres any good cats around

Well, caught my second coyote ever today in 1 of my 2 MB-550's and wouldn't ya know it?! It pulled up my 24" rebar stake and got away! Grrrr.

Time to go with double staking or disposable stakes.
Tom

ouch. Yea them mb s are awesome traps, but have a high price tag on them too. Im up to 5 doz 650s now, and i love em. One of my first yotes pulled a 24" rebar stake on a bridger #3. I have used birkshire stakes ever since with no problems. Pogos work really good too, even cheaper, but the drivers suck for them.

Yea either cross stake your rebar, use earth anchors, or use drags. I prefer duckbill earth anchors on my k9 traps, I use drags when the ground is to hard to get an anchor in. A good rule of thumb is to stake for the largest possible animal you could catch. (Yotes here)

You like them duckbills? I herd people were having trouble with the ends breakin or somethin. Ive never tried them.

Yes they are the only thing that I can drive through my rocky ground. lol Every other style I tried either bent or I had a heck of a time driving them in. I never had any trouble with the duckbills breaking, but you have to clean the dirt out of them before you put your driver in. If you don't sometimes acts like a wedge and splits them. Only ever had that happen like once though.

Well, I had a coon visit one of my canine / feline sets today and miss the pan on the B&L #2 cs on a hairs width! Then I also caught a big rat in a skunk sets and he bit through my leather glove and into my hand. Ouch! Using him for bait now!

Nothing much happening around here. Couple coon since my last post on here. Caught our first female on Saturday. Out of 15 coon this year only one of them has been a female! Strange?! \

Friend of ours picked up a roadkill mink. I land trap only so that was a new experience! Do they usually stink like cat urine? Whew was that nasty! I'd druther skin a coon!

They stink a little but not that bad. You might have nicked a gland when you were skinning, or when it got hit, it could have released musk.

Well this one was awful! He was flat as a pancake but his hide was fine. I was just curious if they had a smell since I don't have any experience with skinning water critters.

Things have been slow here. Every once in a while I’ll pick up a couple coons or rats, but nothing other than that. The ground isn’t frozen so a coyote line is impossible to set out. Beaver season starts in four days so it won’t be long until I post some pics lol.

Beaver season and cable season come in on the 26th here. I will probably wait to set for beavers, I am still playing around with fisher and cat sets. Looking at getting out a coyote line today too.

Got some sets out. Caught a grey in a yote set and a yote in a fisher set today.

Caught a frosty red fox this morning, anyone else have sets out over Christmas break?

I have just over a dozen out over break. Not much happening around here. A couple coon a couple possum and a skunk the past week and a half. Still male coon! Up to 17 coon this year and all but one are male.

Author, if you are having rats set off your coils, you need to up your pan tension a little. It will also help on your toe catches.

Hey Dfabs, are you and Antony catching any coon out there? You've still got to beat that 25 pounder.

I was finally able to catch some bobcats last week. Caught a big tom Bobcat at a Dirt Hole Set using TDHP's Predator Bait. He weighed about 30#. Caught a female at the same set 2 days later but she was only about 20# - 25#.

Nice cats. I threw out a handful of beaver sets a couple days ago, connected on a couple.

Is that a Victor #3 jump?

#4 but yes it is a victor jump

. Depressing week of trapping. Found a HOT coon and fox site I need to throw some traps on though.

I would assume there too, but our coons are gonna staet rubbing soon. Kinda sad ya dont have long to get their reallypurdy pelts. Ive been killin the possums since my cat double Christmas day. And got one yote since then too. Looks like yall are havin a great season;keep it up!!

Another good check today. Another double on cats!! Up to 4

Nice, pics?

I will try to post some tonight

Heres a bunch

Nice catches. What are badgers like to catch, they look like they would be hard to hold.

All that I havegot were on 18 in birkshires. They dig and dig circles around the stake, but by the time they get to where the stake would pull out, they are too tired to pull it. Normally by then they just sleep in the hole. They are a pain to fix the digging after you catch one. Had one dig a mound about 3 feet tall about 4 feet wide. Got a purdy red today, only my second ever. My first had mange.

They can also pull all the dirt to the center and dig outwards so they avoid digging the stake. I have had a few do that

Wow Some nice catches!!! Can't wait to get a bobcat, A yote too! Don't have the time right now to set where there are some yotes, and didn't get my bobcat tag in time.

I would imagine that it would be a pain to remake those sets. I've never caught anything with mange. I've only ever seen one red around with it and that was a long time ago.

I haven't caught anything with mange either but found a dead red with it this summer in the woods. Had rabies wipe out a lot of coon two years ago. I have to travel on the 4-wheeler (No truck yet) two miles to get to where I can catch stuff.

We are probably just under 50-50 for mangy yotes. Last year was horrible. It was over 50 then. Mange is a bad bad disease...

Yea I am glad we don't have it here. One of the benefits of trapping right there though, gets rid of some those sick critters.

Well I had a bobcat set out with a StealthCam game camera with infrared vision monitoring the set. Well I checked the set today. No catch, not even a track on the dirt pattern but I got this picture:


I guess a bobcat was more interested in my game camera than in the set! Grrrr!

Hello,
I caught this small female bobcat at a cubby set using a bobcat carcass for bait. The trap was a Victor #3 coilspring.

Well, I caught a mange coyote yesterday with a Duke #3 cs with laminated jaws at a charred stump set using MarkJune's "Canine Candy", Dobbin's "K9-03", + coyote scat with Mike Wotjach's "Coyote Gland Lure."

You guys sound like you are having fun! I haven't caught a SINGLE THING in two weeks! GRRRRRRRRR.

Hang in there. Itll happen. Sometimes i just got pull and reset to start fresh

Nice cat want to be. I haven't had any out lately because I've been so busy,but I got a handful set out today and I am going to put some more out tomorrow. Trapre, are you seeing any sign in the snow there? I would probably pull and relocate. The next week or so will be good because it is supposed to stay cold, in fact this is probably the best time of year to catch target critters here. Try breaking out some loud lure and set some more/different locations if you're able. State college gets most of the same weather we do, so you should be in good shape that way.

Best time of the year for kittys. Their starting to breed. Had a set of tracks go right past a set today that had a possum plugged in. Darn things...

Went for a walk tracking two reds that ran 10 feet from my trap. All I saw this morning was about 3 different fox tracks and deer. I have been waiting for this snow for a LONG time! We got about an inch and a half the other night.

Set some cables and leg holds today. I took a peak at this set that connected on a coyote earlier this year and I had pulled. He would have been done for lol.

This is a set I made a little while ago. On today’s check, I noticed it was messed with , and just my luck. A coyote worked the set from the back and peed on the pan. Figures!

That's better than I've done with yotes!^^^^^

My week went from good to bad and today went from worse to worse. First of all, we burried our first classmate today. Less than 5 months away from graduation and hes gone. Im still broke from this. On top of it, we got 8 in of snow so its a mess, and my trappin rig is down. And the head gasket just went out of my good truck. Thats a bill i dont want to see...

I'm sorry for your loss. Praying you can get your vehicles up and running. How many miles long is your line?

I "can't" drive yet so I am restricted to a 4-wheeler. A 4-wheeler that is 20 years old, has little to no brakes, and only runs 4 out of 7 days of the week. Helps me stay in shape for wrestling when I have to run (or bike when there isn't snow) the 3 1/2 mile trapline.

I should have caught three fox last night. Something tripped my trap and stuffed it down the dirt hole. Then ol' fox comes and checks out my set. Another fox at a different spot decided to do the same thing. I hadn't refreshed the ant-freeze and it was frozen. And the last one ran two feet by my trap but the bait and lure didn't catch it's curiosity. FRUSTRATING!!!!!!

My line is about 40-60 mi round trip

Do you have another vehicle or a borrowed one? Cause that isn't quite bike able!!!

Wow that's a heck of a line, I'm not allowed to drive yet either so I am limited to what I can access on the four wheeler and where I can get family to drive me. Hope you get your truck fixed,that sounds like a job.

Well, the one should be done today I hope, but it might run like crap again. Guess Ill see if the o2 sensor fixes it

That old set that was worked by a coyote that I posted a picture of connected the first night I reset on this red. I think I am going to do a mount on this one, he is furred up pretty nice.

Heck ya! Buddy of mine wants me to mount a fox and coon he got. Theres an awesome mount of a coon in a knothole that i think im gonna do for my self and him. So ill be busy soon. Gonna pull the line today and tomarrow. Gota big storm coming that could dump a foot of snow on top of our 8 in already

That's supposed to hit us Saturday, I think I am going to brave the snow and leave the sets out. The night before a storm or front always seems good. That's neat post some pics when you finish the coon, I am busy with a beaver mount now, probably will do the red later in the year.

Oh ya for sure its the best night to have sets out. They run like xrazybefore it hits. But i still have sets from the first snow that i cant find... So im gonna pull and reset right after

I am probably the worst fox trapper around after the past three nights of absolutely nothing but fox tracks. I have seen two deer tracks in this 1 inch snow but about 40 different fox tracks. No joke. I just can't get one to connect and when I do get one to work a set my trap fails me.

Saw a fox in one of the fields on my route this morning. Couldn't tell if it was a red or a grey. Drove back to the house grabbed the gun and FoxPro caller and tried calling. It didn't show though.

That's a nice red! I am going to make some fancy hats out of my 2 fox I got this year.

I dont know crap about fox because the are almost extinct around here, but I would say they are like coyotes, just takes time. Keep the sets working and youll get em. I would also say that if your bait and lure is there, let it sit, cuz you can over do it with bait and lure.

Possum,you're right trapping fox is just like trapping small yotes. They can be difficult to connect on, especially if they're educated. The best way I've found to increase your catch is to get as many sets out as you can and keep them in for as long as you can. Check to make sure that your sets stay operational through the freeze thaw cycles, and if they aren't fix them asap.

Good time to try cable restraints.
Tom

So whats the home range of a fox like? Is it big, small or what? Our coyotes can cover sections here, and cats cover many many miles

I was told by a really good fox trapper named Hern Blett that Greys tend to live in a section of brushy woods and don't really go outside of a 200x200 yard area. Reds on the other hand will travel up to ten miles in one night but also tend to circle around and rerun a path several times and don't leave a 1 square mile area.

I know that for sure! In PA you have to get a special license to run cable restraints or snares. I haven't taken the time or money to invest in cables the course required to get a license and having Hern(guy mentioned above) come up and show me how one works and how to place it. It's on the list to get/learn/do in the next 5 years though!

That would be stupid to have to get a license to run cable. Im glad that nebraska has some pretty free trappin laws. Only thing that would be better would be a 48 hr check, and if they got rid of the no exposed bait within 30 feet of a foothold

Hern is a very good trapper, his advice is top notch too. Find trails through goldenrods, those are my favorite places to set cables. (Little to no entanglement to be concerned with)

Possum,if the law requires a separate license to run cables,then you abide by whats required.
Here in MN. we are required to buy a small game license and a trapping license to trap.
Trapre,next time you talk to Hern,tell him hello from Tom Olson.
Tom

Not to be critical, but it's a one time certification course you have to take, not a seperate license you buy every year in addition to your trapping licence.

I didnt say i wouldnt abide by the law because I do abide by the law. I was just meaning that i believe it is bs to have to take a course to snare. Just my opinion tho. Like i said, our laws are pretty free here.
Thats good that it is a one time deal though. What do your trapping liscense cost? I broke down and bought a lifetime a few years back. Was only like $200

Snaring with cable restraints,which is the way you have to go in PA,WI,and MO.,is a lot different than snaring in NE.
The object is all live catch and the course required,instucts the trapper in the correct ways to use cable restraints.
The states requiring the use of cable restraints,had no land snaring till cable restraints were instituted.It is in the best interest for the trappers in those states to get the proper education on their use.
Bottom line--education never hurt anyone.
Tom

I believe it costs like 20 dollars a year for an adult trapping license. No idea what a lifetime costs, but I think you have to be a certain age before you are eligible to buy one.

I didn't realize there was not a whole different license for cable restraint in PA. I haven't looked into much when it comes to cable restraints and snares. How does the state know you took the cable restraint course? How long is the course.

I will say Hi to him from you Mr. Olson!

He certainly is an AWESOME guy!!!

One day course, not even the whole day. You get a card you have to carry with you, similar to your hunter-ed course card. I am sure they have record of them too. There are a ton of laws that you have to follow that are extra to the regular laws. That's why they have the course.

I see. Thats interesting. I am sure one day, we will have a trapper ed course here. But I dont think as many people trap here as in other places. People only do it here when prices are up. Until then, I have most of the ground to myself lol

Thank you Pa_k9_trapper. You gotta love PA laws! lol. I was just curious. I am sick and tired of trying to trap in snow. I definitely need to go to cable restraints as well as footholds but need to learn details first. What is easier, Cable restraints or footholds? Snow excluded.

Possumcatcher: In my area there are about 6 different guys that have 100-200 traps and another 20 guys like me that run one or two farms with less than 50 traps. Trapping in PA is pretty big, at least in my area. I had a guy set some traps under a state bridge on the same property I trap. Setting water traps under state bridges in PA is legal I guess.

IMO, footholds are way easier. I just have a hard time snaring. I can catch a few animals, but always like coons when I try to snare coyotes and cats, or possums when I try to snare coons. But when its snow time, its snare time. It gets old trying to keep footholds working in the freeze thaw and remaking the sets snow after snow. Its easy to just set a crap ton of snares and let em go vs trying to keep sets working. We are supposed to get up to a foot of snow on top of our 8 in already. Most of the 8 has melted so its muddy. Probably around 3 or 4 laying on the ground now. Im gonna pull all my traps, make a few mods, look at the map, and after I get done pushing snow its game on for exposed cat sets. Thats the only way to go when its wet like this for cats. Dont have to worry about them freezing up

A lot of people trap here, but as you would figure even more when the market was high. I know a local guy that built his house with his fur check from one year. As far as ease, cables are easier to set and maintain, if you have good locations to set that are necked down and free from entanglement. But as with any blind set you may have to wait a while before you connect. I started using pipe sets this year and I love them. They are a lot more weatherproof than any other conventional set.

We supposedly have a LOT of snow coming as well. Close to two feet. Not looking forward to this weekend after it hits. I'm hoping to get something before the snow hits. They weren't really running last night. Deer were but not any kind of fox movement.

Pa, I notice you said free of entanglement. So do your cables have to be set free of entanglement? Or is that because they are cable restraints?
With snares, I like to have entanglement like attaching the snare to a y on a tree 3 feet above the ground or so. Then they wrap around and dispatch is faster. But I could see with the cable restraints how they are supposed to be alive, how you wouldnt want entanglement.

You have to be 65+ to get a lifetime license and it costs a little over $100. Here's a list of license prices in Pennsylvania.

Yes they have to be free of entanglement. A good rule of thumb is anything bigger than you pinky is considered entanglement. The whole catch circle has to clear so if you have a 4 ft cable and you have to have an 8ft circle. That's why I like trails through goldenrods and briars, they are necked down but not considered entanglement.

I see. I just snared another cat. #5 for the year

Caught this bobcat at this bobcat, my 4th of the season, at the dirt hole remake where I caught 2 of my other bobcats. Originally used one of TDHP's baits but remade the set with a rabbit leg and caught this tom in an MB-550.


Caught the coyote yesterday at a bone set using rotted down coon brains and Caven's "Canine Force" the trap was a Duke #2 square closed jaws, 4 coiled.

Nice catches. Caught this little red before the storm hit, I should have pulled the night of the storm lol, but I am glad I at least marked all of my sets because it would have been a nightmare trying to find them in the snow.

Nice! I was hoping for one before the storm hit but no connection. We got about 8 inches then it started melting yesterday morning. Now it's -1 and frozen stiff. All my traps are iced in.

Started out as us gonna get 24 inches, then 10, 5, and 1, but at the end of the storm, we had icy roads and a light dusting of snow. I pulled all my traps before thinking we were gonna get a lot of snow... turns out I coulda left them and probably caught a cat or two. I started setting again saturday and only have about 30 sets out.

I only have like 15 sets out right now, and there's so sign of it melting anytime soon at negative 8 degrees.

I have 15 sets out as well! I have a funny feeling unless I use tons of antifreeze I ain't gonna catch anything! I can walk on top of the snow without going through. I don't expect a fox to go through and hit my pan!

I do my best to keep them cleaned off, but basically cables have the best chance of connecting with this much snow. I don't use any antifreeze at all, especially once it gets cold and stays cold.

I use non iodized table salt as antifreeze. Works great. But after the first of the year, Im done with coyotes and run exposed cat sets so I dont need to use antifreeze in this weather now.

I used to use salt and it worked great with new of the year waxed traps. But as soon as I caught anything they would start to rust. Or is non-iodized salt different cause I just used regular salt that the feed mill delivered.

You don't cover your cat sets? I always do, and plus you have the chance of catching k-9s when they are covered.

I would rather catch cats than k9s to tell ya the truth. Usually i catch possums for the first two nights then they sit idle til a cat comes through. And most of my sets are waaaaay back on a long walk and theres no dry dirt and im sure not gonna carry any in lol. But ya thats what i do. The salt jas nothing do do with rusting for me. It just keep the dirt no froze. The non iodized salt is something about the smellbi was told. Dont know how true it is or not but works for me

And if you dye or dip your traps that will protect them from rust too

I do the old style lye, dye, and wax. I had tremendous rusting issues when I used salt. I also was pretty sloppy that year and all of my trapping stuff was in a five gallon bucket or two. Including skinning gear. My salt bottle got a big hole in it and since I didn't need the salt for a few days I didn't notice it. On top of that I salted hides instead of drying on boards. If it was made out of metal, it was rusted, BAD. All of my wire stretchers were rusted too since I didn't have any fur on them. IMO salt just sucks for maintaining quality traps

I dye and wax all my land traps. I've never really used antifreeze, I've always just used peatmoss and dried grass. Neither of them freeze up to the point of needing antifreeze.

So you bed in dry grass?

Not exactly, usually I dig my bed just smaller than my trap, then line the bottom with peat. Then wedge the trap it and cover it with grass if I am in a hay field and peat if I am in a corn field or woods. I prefer grass on top, because even when it freezes it don't impede the trap enough to keep it from firing. Peat used to bed and cover by itself gets a thin crust on the top layer once it gets wet and freezes, pop that top layer off and it it's dry underneath. Before this year I used to use just all peat, but I tried grass and I really like the combination of both.

I didn't hear or think about dry grass until this fall when Hern told me. By that time the grass was all gone and dead. Next year I will make sure to collect some dry clippings.

Got kitty #6 today. Will post some pics when i get some time

Nice, I picked up another red yesterday, but not a lot of action despite the cold front.

Good job possumcatcher and PA_K-9_Trapper! I'm moving to a new property today and I've been seeing a fair amount of sign on it. Set up my game camera yesterday at a low concrete water tank were I found scat so I'll see if I've got any pictures today.

Not much going on here, it’s -30 out with the wind chill today. I’ve been doing some beaver trapping here and there, and managed to catch a few kits at a nuisance property. It must have been a late litter as they were really small.

Well, I checked my game camera today and this is what I had on it. We haven't been as cold down here in Texas! (yet)

I'm hoping to have a Grey Fox waiting for me this week!

I had this picture on my game camera today. Finally got a picture of a target animal!

Nothing going on here. Temps aren't bad but the wind is killing it. Temps are at -3. RealFeel of about -30 right now. Had a yote dig out my dirt hole and get my bait last night. With this weather I haven't been hardly trying to keep a functioning line. Anti freeze doesn't work at these temps.

I bought another 30 traps yesterday for next year. Got a trowel, sifter, anchors and a bunch of baits and urines as well. I hope to pull my line as soon as I get another fox. End on a good note.

Caught my 4th ever coyote today at a Bone Set using Caven's "Canine Force" lure, and Jim Brook's Bobcat Meat Bait. She was pretty young, caught in a MB-550, staked down with one of Fox Hollow's Super Stakes.


https://youtu.be/watch?v=o4aUyahx1dk

I hope you guys up north don't freeze too much!

Nice coyote, the deep freeze is pretty much over now, but for a while there it was pretty cold. This coming week is supposed to be up in the 40s and 50s.

Boy, I bet y'all will feel good after the temps y'all have been having!
I caught another male mange coyote today! Caught a skunk to but he pulled out of my Sleepy Creek #1 1/2 o/s modified!
Grrr, there went about $30 or some of Dunlap's bait or lure out the door!

I had made a set on the edge of a wheat field for bobcats, fox, coon, skunk, etc using a bobcat carcass for bait. While we were butchering we had to spring our traps because we didn't have time to run our line. When I was able to reset my traps something, (I think coyotes) drug my bobcat carcass off and ate in in the brush. I made a set where the carcass had been, at the entrance to a trail the coyote(s) had drug the carcass down, and one by the remainder of the carcass. I caught the coyote at the set made where the carcass had originally been using Derrick's "Invader" bobcat gland lure and something else. Thanks for the lure Wayne52! www.derricks-nm.com
I couldn't post a picture but I put a video of the coyote on my YouTube channel, Asher Bros. Outdoors.

This weather is throwing us a curveball for sure. Less than a week ago, It got down to -35 with windchill. Today, it got up to 60 degrees. I got a few beaver sets out in the middle of a lake, but I had to pull them the next day. Our ground is either slop or concrete, and trapping is really hard this time of year. Author trapper, are you sure that it was a skunk that pulled out? I’ve heard that they don’t have the strength to pull out unless the trap is very weak.

How about slop and concrete? Today I tried to dig out an old bed that that had connected, it was slush and water on top and frozen dirt underneath. Once the ground thaws I am going to yank my traps, and probably set some beaver traps when I get time. Author, that stinks that your yote had mange, but you did him a favor in the long run.

I got my traps up and running again after all this weather. Haven't connected on anything though...for (not including the 2 weeks I had them pulled) at least 6 weeks!

Slop and concrete for sure. Too wet to get there, or too hard to put sets in. Its always a lose lose battle this time of the year. If I know a good spot and im 100% pos of a catch, I will chisle out a trap bed with a pick axe. I saw a video of andy weiser chiseling out trap beds with a dewalt hammer drill. Looked like it worked slick.

Yes, Ave, I'm prety sure it was a skunk. . I'm also pretty sure it was a skunk because the place was dug up, the trap had black hair in the jaws, and I could smell skunk on the jaws.

Author, it probably pulled out becuase it got tangled up and your swivels failed.

Probably!

Here is a creature from the black lagoon for ya!

Ugliest, mangiest animal I ever saw. Caught in a Bridger #1 3/4 at a buried bait set that my brother told be how to do after reading "Land Sets, and Trapping Techniques" by Charles Dobbins. Used Reuwsaat's "Fatal Step" bait, Mark June's "Windwalker" call / food lure, and Dobbin's "Mississippi Special" food lure. Gosh [/i] he[i] was UGLY!

Yikes want to be! That thing is ugly!

Super hard to trap In this weather but its finally stayed above freezing in the night the past three nights and last night I handed out two new bracelets to a coon and possum.

And guess what, It's another boar. That makes 17 boars and one sow!

That looks like a chupacabra lol. I dont know how to spell that hehehe

I've caught 9 bobcats, 5 coyotes, countless skunks, and not one coon! You're doing a heck of a job on 'em!

I'd rather be catching a bobcat or yote than dealing with greasy coon. I've caught enough (6) skunks this year. I can't complain about catching stuff though. This has been the best year of trapping for me!

Freezer that I had about 10 of them in went bad. That was a REALLY bad day. Going to tan the ones left and make some hats and/or scarves for my friends and family. I don't do a very good job at fur put-up to sell them. Plus the prices suck.

I’m not sure why, but nearly every coon I catch is a boar. I nearly caught 100 last season, and I think only 5 or 7 of them were sows.

Caught a coon yesterday and pulled the line to reset different spots this weekend. Found some thin ice in the creek and a deep hole under that.... so lets just say the rest of pulling traps was miserable. My coveralls were froze by the time I got back to the truck. Got a coon while pulling, and shot a coyote running across a bottom. We had some high water last weekend, and I figured some of my traps were gone. Well, One had a hughe chunk of ice on it and I couldnt move it. Probably 8 in thick and 10 sq ft. Had a friend come out and bust it up with 40 .223 rounds. That was fun. Long story short, I got my trap back and didnt lose any. Then on the way home, had a big boar coon run across the road and got him too. Probably one of the nicest coons ive ever got. Surprised he isnt rubbed for being in feburary.

Howdy, caught my first Grey Fox yesterday in a MB-450 at a scent post set!:

Dunlap's 'Cat Gland lure, and Jim Brook's Bobcat Urine were used at the set.

Caught this coyote yesterday at a bone set using Caven's "Violator 7" lure, and Caven's "Minnesota Valley Predator Bait" in a Duke #2 square jawed, 4 coiled.

Nice catches,fox is very nice looking.
Tom

Nice looking dogs. Our season is over in a couple days, and with the way the weather is, I'm done for the year.

Sorry to hear that. Our Texas season closes on March 31st, but we usually stop about mid March unless the weather is still Cold.

Caught another fox on the remake!
Used Dobbin's "Mississippi Special" food lure on the remake to catch this dog fox.

Way to go WTB!!! I'm right there with K-9.

There wraps up another Pennsylvania trap season. The best season in so many ways. I learned so much compared to last year and even caught some fox. Now to tan all my hides. Working on a coon now.

Good luck, trapre!

Thank you! You too!

Caught this small dog coyote at the remake from the set my last coyote got caught in. It was a dirt hole with Derrick's "DOA" bait and Derrick's "001" food lure.

The trap was a Blake & Lamb #2 coilspring. He had a little mange too; caught him on the edge of a field.

I caught this trap shy beaver the other day, and he had gotten out of other trappers 330s twice that I know of. I could write a book with all the tricks I used to try and catch him. It took me about 2 weeks before I finally caught him. What a task!

That's something worth bragging rights lol! Good job!

Congratulations, Ave! If I ever go anywhere where I can trap beaver you'll have to teach me how to do it! Great job!

I’m no pro, but do catch a few here and there. If you ever want to learn about beaver trapping, I reccomend you talk to Bogmaster, as he has a wealth of information.

Success again! Caught a really mangy dog coyote today in a Oneida Victor #1 1/2, 4 coiled, at a double dirt hole set using Wayne Derrick's (wayne52) "DOA" bait, and Kaatz Bros. "Red Label" bait inside sheep wool no picture, sorry, but I will be putting a video on my Asher Bros. Outdoors YouTube channel of it if you care to check it out!
Shot a rat today too!

Nice fox, Want to be! I have 3 MB-450s. I really like them!

This season i had trouble catching trap shy grey fox. Would you guys mind sharing any techniques you use. I try to block heavily and use good lures but cannot get them to commit.
Owen

Caught this female coyote in a Duke #2, 4 coiled square jawed, at a dirt hole using a bone with Caven's "Violator 7". Finally! Caught one without mange!

Nice catch!👍

Nice dog, makes me appreciate not having much mange around here. MOCoyote, if I was targeting a trap shy grey, my approach would be to use less guiding than normal and use sets where they don't really have to commit to working, like scent posts or blind sets.

I'll keep that in mind. I appreciate your help.

Nailed me a nice female raccoon in a Blake & Lamb #2 coilspring at a "ground cubby" set yesterday using Reuwsaat's "Fatal Step" bait, Derrick's (wayne52) "Invader" bobcat gland lure. Above the set I had flagging made from a ground squirrel tail and different colored Christmas tinsel with a tad bit of Mark June's "Windwalker" call / food lure.
I found a trail going up onto an old tank dam and there was an old partially filled in den there. I dug the den out a bit, covered the back end of it with a flat piece of wood, and put my bait in the back, with the lure on a bone for eye appeal.

Caught this female skunk yesterday at a feather set using Reuwsaat's "Fatal Step" bait, Dobbin's "Purrrfect" lure, bobcat urine, and some of MarkJune's "Windwalker" call / food lure on white feather and Christmas Tinsel flagging.

Pulled my couple beaver sets yesterday, six beaver in six days. Was a good time, I actually had a rat swim between my feet and get caught right after I set the one 330 over a bank den. The beaver were using it too because that set connected on beaver the next day.

Nice pictures, PA_K-9_Trapper!
I trapped this pretty little female bobcat Thursday last week at a imitation den set using Reuwsaat's "Fatal Step" bait and "Ornery Badger" lure, MarkJune's "Windwalker" lure, and rabbit guts + 1 or 2 bleached bones for eye appeal. The trap was a new Duke #2, 4 coiled square jawed. Set had been there about a month before it connected. It looked like the bobcat was still trying to get the rabbit guts out of the "den" when I got there!

Caught this female mink when it was killing our chickens. As you can see we ended up getting it mounted.

Nice pictures, cheitzman! Asher Bros. Outdoors.

My last catch of the season. Caught it in a Montana #1 1/2 a week ago today.

Them grays is lovely pa.

Nice coon man!

Nice mink man!