2017/ 2018 PA Trapping Season

Since I’m sitting here pondering what all needs done still I figured I mine as well start the PA trapping thread. Also while I sat here I realized I haven’t done a single thing except get some coils for using on rats and mink this year. I really realized how far behind I am. I’m planning on taking the traps to the car wash this weekend and at least pressure washing them. Then hopefully next week I’ll be able to at least logwood dye and maybe wax or FMJ them not sure which route I want to go yet. Still want to order a dozen more #3 for yotes this year and wanted to pick up a dozen dogproofs. Yote populations really up this year around here and planning on going hard starting end of October. Where do you all stand?

ready to chase yotes,actually way,way ahead of trapping season and winter.huntin NY and PA archery right now and will probably work some stink dog sets in after the rut or some success,whichever comes first.GOOD LUCK to all my fellow PA guys and if any of ya get up my way be sure to stop in. WADERMAN

I'm getting ready.
I have some brand new traps ordered and also making up some all new gear. the last I trapped was around 1986, and it seems like there are so many things that have changed.
One thing for sure is that the equipment has made huge changes, mostly for the better.
I won't be trapping until after Christmas and after flintlock deer season when I will have the mountain to myself again.
Every year in hard winter I see lots of pairs of Coyote tracks running the old logging roads and "pissin and scratchin" goin' on. I assume they are paired up and getting ready to mate.
Since I am on the mountain every day I may as well run some traps too.

"Since I am on the mountain every day I may as well run some traps too."

Amen to that.Be prepared to use freeze proof methods,know what stakes or anchors work well in your area and plan on using gland lure and urine quite a bit,that time of year.Good luck.

Yup................
Been asking lots of questions on here and I hope I am not wearing out my welcome with the more knowledgeable forum regular visitors.
I already have (5) 5-gallon buckets full of anthill dirt that is dry as a popcorn fart.
I have full control of a complete machine shop so I can fab anything I need.

Am ready.
But still finding things to do.

I'm just hoping for free time.My business is over booked.My 10 year old is wanting to learn how to catch coyotes and fox.I prefer having at least 40 sets in the ground,but think I'll have to break it into 2 separate lines so I can check before work.Just happy my son wants to join me

That is awesome!!! I hope someday when I have children they will be eager to come along with me.

I'm ready. Just need more time!

I am in the same boat you are. All I have done so far is acquire more mink coils.

Putting in an order Monday for some supplies from Minntrapproducts. Mostly some new baits lures swivels and etc and a dozen #3’s. Still debating on using FMJ or wax.

Mostly ready just need to scout some new areas

I have all my traps waxed. I am however going to place an order that will include some mink traps. So, I will say I am at 80%. That includes all my water traps. I have some work to do on them... BTW I am a newb to ALL of this.

Here is hoping for the best!

Jerry Jr.

Ready to roll, just gotta wait until season opens. Planning for some time off work to trap and time with my granddaughter who just loves catching fur! At 6 years old, and her third season (a weekend here and there for her ) she is really looking forward to it. Me too!

My traps have been adjusted and dyed. They are hanging in the garage. All my stakes were cut months ago and the wood dried out. This season I will be using 2 box traps to try to catch some coon and anything else that might enter. I caught 4 groundhogs up in our melon patch in those box traps. I am only allowed to use box traps on land here on our property. Mom's rule. She feeds every stray cat that stops by but if I ever caught one of them in a foothold trap my trapping career would be over. A friend of my dads came over and we walked around our property and he pointed out a few places I might be able to catch some fur in my box traps. We don't have many trees on our land so there might not be many coon. He felt I would probably catch opossums and maybe a skunk. The pond and 2 streams seem to have about the same number of muskrats in them as usual.

How many are setting the first day?

i think im ready? im never ready enough. still gotta do my cinder block run

I have everything dyed and waxed.

Still fiddling around with little tid bits.

Will be setting just before Thanksgiving

I’ll be setting the first day on some property I have permission on in pa. Can’t wait!

I've got three weeks off in December, pretty pumped up about having some time to put in a little line. Just have a couple more traps to dye, and a half dozen need waxed.

I’ll probably be setting more so areound the end of October.

I usually start around vetran"s day.

Started my list of supplies I need. Had my traps organized since probably may/June. Just gotta finish prep and a few mods then good to go! Last year took my son and daughter out on the line, this year my son is participating in the mentored youth program. He can't wait to get back in the stand!

Not in PA but will be setting next Sunday. Coyote sets, which will pick up a fee boar coon. Last year the state moved the coon season to coincide with opening of coyote Fur buyers don't want them big blue coons but I do

Can't wait to start setting First yote of the year gets my juices flowing

Forgot to add. Everything ready to go with the exception. Of 2 dozen more drags for January that I bought still need to to finish but got to get more chain. But not needed for a few more months

I'm definitely setting first day. Can't wait to get after these yotes. This last week I saw a coyote two different days in the middle of the day. They are everywhere

Where are you in Pa.?

Waxed Dirt was made back in August - All traps dyed & Waxed - started scouting 2 wks ago still have some to do - ordered supplies back in July - been in the archery stand twice so far but will now wait until Nov. 1 - 5th - I'll start setting K9 Nov. 6th and some coon following Monday.

Hello fellow Penn's new to t-man and never seem to be ready so much to do. I have meet a few of you hern and Berky I meet through my working with Dutch in the fur buying bus. Fill them boards boys.

Dry run next week to drill holes, place stones and landowner PR.
Some bait to prep yet. Chomping at the bit to roll.

What’s all you guys choice.....FMJ or wax. Still can’t make my mind up. I’ve read so many pros and cons fromFMJ

Very excited for this season, all I've been thinking about since January! Hoping to get onto 1 new property this year to allow me to start earlier. Not able to access my other trapping grounds until after rifle season (very protective of their deer).

Also going to be making a few trips up north to Sullivan and Bradford Co's to try to get one of the bobcats we see and hopefully a couple dogs. Got some new traps, different baits and lures, few new tricks, and hopefully a bunch of fur.

Will also be doing all my own furs this year for the first time, so I'm looking forward to that challenge. Hope I don't mess them up too badly.

Any trapperman.com member needs to brush up on fur handling, PM me.
From Skun'n to Flesh'n to Boarding
This would be a 'how to' thing. Hands on work where you may be having a problem.
Free, fur handling instructions help.

Bring a couple of critters along. One for me to do/show you how, then one for you to do.
Comb & Clean critters. Freeze critters (skun or whole). Then we can set a date/time to stop by when things slow down.

I live outside Selinsgrove, Snyder County.
Near Rt. 11 & 15 or Rt. 522 or Rt. 35

PM me

I wish you were closer Hern- you would probably not be so generous because I'd likely never leave.

I'm going to trap this season- really looking forward to chase the elusive musquash maybe a fitch or two as well. Lost some ground as I do every year and havnt gained any- but I'll no doubt be back to 0300 wake ups in no time at all...

...not be so generous because I'd likely never leave.
lol. Hey, I mean to bring a couple of critters so I can show you 'how to'. (not your season's catch total) lol

Any of you double staking with 24” rebar for yotes? I was always taught bigger is better, but I’m thinking of getting shorter stakes than the 30” ones I’ve used

I use super stakes for my land trapping yotes/fox.To answer the other guy,I only use wax.To many horror stories about FMJ for me to chance.

dnb36, I use 18" rebar, double staking. I think I could go shorter but that's the length I have.
I also use drags.
But mainly use 12" earth anchors.
Walkercoonhunter made me the anchors.
I then attach cable & chain to complete earth anchor.

These are 12" long, but sometime I leave and inch or two of chain above ground. Holds anything in Pa.






I make double loop cable for double staking...

I mainly use 16” wolf fangs, but I have one area I trap that’s just super hard clay, rock, and roots. It’s a pain driving an earth anchor.m so I double stake, but even then it’s a pain. Drive it down 4 inches and bang hit a rock. The long stakes is just what I was shown way back when I first started and it works, but I was thinking if I drop length I’d lose some weight and get some space since it’s a hike in spot. I’ve thought about drags but ehhhhhh... I’m sure they’d work since the area is an old clear cut

I really havent had much time to think about trapping, just moved into a new place and just found out i have a baby on the way, and working my tail off, prob wont run many traps this year.

Congrats on the baby tapper24. Made an order today to get some prep done...better late than never I guess. I’m planning on setting a few coyote traps first Sunday. Then after archery season it’s all out till rifle.

Thanks ducksnbucks36, well i did set 4 traps out and low and behold i seen a big gray fox while setting. The 1st one i ever seen in my life. He was on the logging road where i now have 2 sets on that road so hopefully he is waiting for me tomorrow.

I put a few sets out, only because I couldn't wait. Picked up a "road trapped" grinner and he was no where close to being ready for fur- skin was paper thin and dark. 0 fat on this guy. Nowhere near ready for the fur shed.

Might do some catch and release for awhile. Will see how it goes. Couldn't wait though, had to at least play some scrimmages before the big game.

How did everyone do this morning? Anyone get some fur for the shed?

Only a big female skunk- almost all white (what a way to re-learn skinning... trial by fire!).

Lots of fat and by my estimation, she's prime.

Had a canine print in a trap bed, but missed the pan.

Glad to be back in the woods.

holdin off a bit, supposed to get dumped on by some rain the next day or 2.

I swear skunks are significantly more active around here in a light rain than any other time. Caught my skunks last year on similarly drizzly nights and usually see an increase in dead ones on the road the morning after a rain.

Maybe it's just coincidence.

Been laid up after surgery. Need to get to it. Going for Cats and Fisher. Venango County. Any suggestions on Baits and Lures? Good Luck to everyone!

my top 3 choices for bait would be beaver meat,beavermeat,and bloody beaver meat.

I usually don't like to argue on online forums, but I would strongly suggest the meat from a beaver.

No argument here. Would be willing to buy some of you guys.

Caught a couple coon this morning, one a big boar that was loaded with fat. Hoping a canine is waiting for me tomorrow.

3 reds an a coon today for me today. Hopefully a coyote will be waiting tomorrow!

Hey TJC- What quadrant of the state are you in and what primeness of fur are you seeing in the reds?

I haven't set any canine specific sets out, as I'm wanting to get prime fur as much as possible. TIA and nice job so far! Keep up the good trapping!

Using a collapsible Cubby for Cats. Any size restriction on entrance? Or what size Cubby would you recommend? Using foothold in front'

You can't trap cats in PA until mid December. You need to have a permit to do so. All of the regs are on the Game Commission site: http://read.nxtbook.com/pgc/huntingtrapping/20172018/index.html#traps_trapping

As far as techniques, search this forum. There is a ton of information already posted here by successful cat catchers.

I only had 4 sets out but today i had 2 coons waiting for me.

I am in central. I didn't flesh any only skinned and put in the freezer. The big male I caught looked good, the other two were not quite there yet. I caught a young coyote today. Boy was he a wet dog!

Nice! Thanks for the reply.

Getting ready to flesh out a big boar coon. Will see what condition he's in. Lots of fat, hoping for some white skin (but I know it's early for coon).

Haven’t even set because of the rain and I wish I would have with this big cold front coming through now. Traps are going to be filled tomorrow for this who have them out.

That is what I am hoping!

That is if my sets aren't too wrecked. We got some crazy rain and wind and I wasn't about to provide touch ups in it. Let's hope the peat moss and lure do their jobs!

Critters were moving some last night. Had 2 coyotes and 3 fox. Still have 3 more farms to check over my lunch break, so who knows maybe more!

Was on a PA Trapping supply site. The site had a lot of pictures of successful Trappers. I thought I saved the site. Didn't. Any help on the name would be great. Can't seem yo fin d it now. Thanks!

Got my first the second day, working a short line, very new

2 coons and a possum so far. Good luck guys

Anyone have wax dirt for sale? My go to guy isn't making any. Thanks a Bunch

I would be willing to buy some too......

ttt

Bought some from Trapper Art. Pretty Cheap!

Johnson fur in Enola sells it.

Caught a opossum today and the last two days i have a fox and coyote work the same hole....

Set two K9 sets after climbing out of the stand this morning and before I left for work. Will more than likely set some more come Monday.

get out that waxed dirt guy's,all we needed to end our drought was trapping season to get here.playin it by ear now,would love to start but not ahead of or during 4 or 5 inches of rain.good luck and be safe out there.

Waxed Dirt won't help, forget Peat Moss with that much rain, pcr2. Flash floods predicted in Pa. Sunday/Monday.
Trail sets & grass/hay covered sets shouldn't be affected too much. Wished we could set Cables all season long.

just noticed they have a flood watch in effect for tomorrow all ready here.that's gonna be interesting as the 2 rivers in my back yard are both at historic lows.

Thought about setting a few but now glad I waited.
I usually wait until after archery to end
But the fur is not primed up all the way.
So waiting and waiting. About chewed through the bit.
Good luck.

This rain blows. Last time I checked the weather app it wasn’t suppressed to rain till Wednesday now it’s every day. At least the creeks in Erie will hopefully come up to go do some steelhead fishing this coming weekend.

forcast definately put the whoa girl on me getting started for another week at least.guess i'll just have to do more hunting..

Jerry is a great guy. He taught me a lot just from asking him questions for 5 minutes. A lot of years of trapping knowledge and very nice.

Well, got the permit, but not the season yet, so took a few pics and sent this guy on his way. Couldn't bring him home, but probably the neatest thing that happens to me during trapping.

Dirthole in a powerline with Jack Mack down the hole.

Very cool what WMU are you in

I've caught 4 coons, 1 possum so far.

Beautiful cat. Cool even if it was a C&R.

Thank you for posting what type of set, location, and bait. Got a permit this year so going to try hard for one.

Set yesterday.
A couple pics from the first check.

Been pouring rain all week here. Wanted to go set but looks like I’ll be waiting till end of archery.

3C

First yote of the season this morning in Blair county. I can’t figure out how to post a pic though. Any suggestions?

Haven't set a trap yet but I Picked up a road kill coon yesterday was a xl coon slate color still need a couple more weeks to prime up here in 2e

I caught a coon this week and took it to the shed. Skinned fleshed and boarded. After 2 days of drying, the leather don't look far from ready. It was lighter than slate but not completely cream either. BTW, it was a xl Boar.

Lots of rain,lots of possums, slow going, but starting to get a decent line out.

Today, first Red double of the season. First day check.
Female had mange. Male was in fine shape.
Snyder County
Also had a ride-along. Put him to work making a few sets. Enjoyed your company, Nate.

Was great to be able to ride along and learn some more from you. I definitely enjoyed the day and hope you have some more luck over the next week. Will catch up when I get back from deer camp. Appreciate the opportunity again.

All nice catches.Way to go.

Got a red and gray the past 3 days. My first ever k9's. First fall trapping. I did a very small line in January in the end of last season no luck. Having a ton of fun!

Paskinner, That's got to be the ugliest grey fox I ever saw!

We caught and released another of those ugly gray fox today!
Time for a season in our WMU.

In my area we have a season but by the time that short season gets here, most of them have spent part of the fall on a leash (catch pole) and are a little educated. lol

Mornings catch:


Caught this nice little stone in a cubby set baited with Fatal Step. Made a decent catch circle for such a small stone, surprised me.

Had a little trouble skinning and fleshing it, but it came out with only a score or 2.

Question is: What size board should this go on? Can't find anything on NAFA or FHA for standards. (I don't want to overstretch it). TIA.

started today - planned on setting 4-farms but got sidelined by sleet and rain at 2:30 - instead got 2 farms set - spent some time BS'ing with some landowners which I believe is important - I thought about my relations with my landowners, most I'm very friendly with - many make me feel like I'm apart of their operations - felt great being out there starting the season!

This set used to smell like a bobcat. Now it smells like a grey fox. Happy morning.
(dirt hole, powerline, JackMack, bobcat urine straight from the source)



As my son stated: You gotta love it when the toes are still touching the pan.

Too funny RKG, gave me a nice chuckle this morning.

Nice gray, RKG!

Nice rock

For the right price, it could be for sale.......

Nice catches yourself PAskinner!

I hope you are no where near me, cause it looks like you're cleaning everything up. Well done!

Set some more k9 sets yesterday, and had a k9 make a crater at my one dirt hole set stepping an inch from the pan. Had a set right beside that I was told the farmer fixed his brush hog and needed to test it. So he drove down the edge of the golden rod ultimately running that set over. Added a little more subtle guiding pounded what was left of the hole deeper and rebaited with BHM and Weisers Horse meat predator bait.

Naw, I'm mostly driving around checking empty sets and calling it canine trapping. It could be worse, at least I'm not fleshing a bunch of greasy coon, lol.

Caught my first ever cat this morning. Set the trap yesterday, had this nice female waiting this morning. I’ve been driving around checking empty sets myself so this was a pleasant surprise. More sets going in this weekend, hopefully the K9 sets start connecting.

That is a nice size cat right there. Never caught one myself. That is awesome good job man!

Nice going on the bobcat

lets hear the release story on the cat haha

I went and got my dad who is my neighbor, used my catch pole and had to grow a large set of cahones. Next time I’ll use a Rubbermaid tote with a notch. I like my pretty face too much to use a catch pole by myself, lol. Have to go reset a few traps, frozen, had one of my k9 flat sets dug at this morning, some of the ones I put in before using any flake antifreeze. I work a rotating shift schedule so I wanted to get some sleep before I went out resetting steel. I’ll record a release if I get so lucky again before bobcat season but being my first, wasn’t about to make an epic fail video, ha.

nice work coyotesoldier, hope you catch one durin the season. its a blast when you get to take 1 home

How about a River Otter in a farm pond today.
I stopped to scout for 'Rats and a River Otter took over the pond.
I 'kissed' the back of my hand and called it within feet of me.
Northumberland County not in an Otter zone. So no trapping Otter here.

Just put some sets out today got a small farm set up an a few coon sets down by the creek hoping the fur is primed up enough now ...pa skinner did I see you doing a beaver demo at PTA district 5 fall meeting ?

And if anybody needs wax dirt just pm I can take care of ya

Nope. I'm in district one.

hern do you usually see otter in your area?

hern do you usually see otter in your area?
They are not uncommon. I've seen Otter on the Susquehanna, the ole canal along the Susquehanna (Northumberland County), Penns Creek & Middle Creek (Snyder County) and Buffalo Creek (Union County) in my area. Not many sightings, but enough to know they are here and seeing tracks and toilets and where they puke up fish scales.
First I've seen one this far from River or large creek, in farm land.

they are right up there with bobcats up here anymore and i would rather let 5 cats go than 1 otter,just sayin.

...and i would rather let 5 cats go than 1 otter, just sayin.
I agree, but maybe not 5 cats.
I told property owner, 'that Otter may stay here and clean out your Fish'. He wasn't concerned by saying, 'There are plenty of fish in there, for it to eat.'

i swear they have about cleaned up our smallmouth population here.that man is in for a rude awakening.between coon prices and otter,i haven't dug a pocket in 5 yrs..my mink line was always 75 percent foothold to 25 percent coni's.now its probably 80 percent or higher coni's..

Otters in the oswayo? Gotta to be a relatively recent development right? Thought they were pretty much unheard-of when I lived there.

caught my first here behind the shinglehouse legion in 93'

I live on the Susquehanna in York County and there is way more otter than people realize for sure. I have seen them at Long Level and also down at Holtwood on the Susquehanna. Also saw one in the swamp in McKean County last year while duck hunting. They're awesome creatures, definitely a dream catch one day.

They are pretty easy to release from a 330.

Set a few traps Saturday reckon I'd scratch the itch got five coon an a grey so far all the coon are xl or bigger

Had a Coyote rifle shot in the shoulder, yesterday. Still in trap. Gapping hole.
Coyote had half a tail. Healed over or born thataway. Very dark color for this area.

Not sure what or how it happened. Farmer didn't have answers for me and had no clue either.
He did say a guy ask to predator hunt. Another couple of guys small game hunt, off and on.

Not pointing finger at anyone. Always run into a few mysteries on the trapline.
Just a bump in the road and moving on...

What's happening on your line?

Had a red dead in a trap this weekend that was a bit of mystery. Not tore up bad, but talon or teeth marks in the back end. Not the work of a coyote from my past experiences, guessing a dog, but think I would have nabbed him also if so. Got a grey the same day with half a tail. What was left over was well healed over but crooked as heck. That one had some shotgun BBs in its back end, so I'm guessing it got shot in the back end last year and that's why its tail was jacked.

Line has been possum-hot the past couple days.

I hear you Farmdog. I had seven opossums yesterday. Must have been a dramatic opossum movement for whatever reason. Got twenty coon and twenty seven opossums so far. My opossum total is usually never more than my coon total but this year its ridiculous.

Anyone setting up a water line? Muskrats? Mink?

I am probably going to get a small water line out

I'm setting rat swamp here once this rain slows down trucks loaded ready to go probably over loaded but oh well haha

I got a short water line out, along with my swamped land sets. Should have a couple rats tomorrow.

Well I got 26 sets in the swamp today poured down rain the whole time and it was pretty tough going water was up a good 4 foot and and the color of chocolate milk I came back through and had a kit in a stoploss back leg was snapped off just holding by the skin but he was doa I will say with the water so high all the bank dens are flooded out saw a lot of rats just swimming around today so we shall see what tmrw brings

Did a bit better than I expected. Not counting mink sets, it was something like 17 from 22 sets.

Ended up with 5 today not what I was expecting I had 26 sets out minus the mink an coon sets 18 were for rats all but one were nice big rats even caught a white tipped tail one I caught one in the same swamp last year as well don't really know how common they are I know I don't catch many what about you guys ?

Nice catches.That one muskrat almost made it thru that conibear.

I rarely miss one but I have caught a few by the tail in Duke 160s. Actually pretty rare, maybe one in fifty. Trigger tension is pretty tight in the middle notch on new traps. Those springs are very strong.

70 yds from my coffee chair

PAskinner, nice catch of 'Rats.

pcr2, good job.

Good catches everyone! PCR does it say in your signature line that you have caught a weasel?

yessir,still mostly brown and had a chippy in his mouth.figure the extra weight plus the set being a step down is the only way he sprung it..they look funny suitcased in a #2 bridger

That is awesome!. I have seen some around here and set for them but never any luck. Do you have a picture of it?

sorry,didn't think of it,thinking of having it mounted with a coyote

Here's a magazine cover of pcr2 fight'n off brown Weasels...


I can't re-print the article because of copy right laws.
But there must be alot of Brown Weasels in Potter County.

3 day check wish I could have ran longer but life gets in the way

wetdog, Nice catches!

Wetdog, why is the Coon boarded fur out?
Why are some of the fox's ear cartilage removed and some are not?
Nice catch.

Taking a break from skinning figured I'd give ya guys a update on the rat line so 19 rats plus the 5 from the first days check puts me at 24 so far water level is back to normal making it easier to find runs I caught 11 today best day so far on this pond had one rat with its face half eaten off hoping to catch the culprit on the thanksgiving day check tmrw but I better get back to skinning have a good thanksgiving everyone

Hern the coon was just pic an tan

I
I remove all ear cartilage sell or tanned. the fur in the front just came off the boards and there ears always flop back a little. It doesn't take much longer than fur market way and looks a whole lot better to me

Hern the coon was just pic an tan

I
I remove all ear cartilage sell or tanned. the fur in the front just came off the boards and there ears always flop back a little. It doesn't take much longer than fur market way and looks a whole lot better to me

Wetdog, how wide are your Red Fox boards?
How wide are your Grey Fox boards?
How wide are your Coyote boards?

Wetdog, how many traps did you have set for a 3 day trapline to catch that bunch?

Hern,i have or can get about any size board pattern you could want.my buddy gives them to me as he finds them from his board selling days.

The fur market way at least in the nafa fur handling manual is to remove all ear cartilage. I always remove mine. I have been to auction where most are not and I also like looks of Remove better.

Happy Thanksgiving

pcr2, thank you. But I have correct size boards.
Just asking Wetdog what size he uses.

sx2- I do and don't remove ear cartilage. Never been docked on price and have Top Lot Awards with cartilage in, as well.

My grays an small reds 53/4
Large red 61/2
Small yote 9
2 doz traps 3 days scouted and tested heavy. No pics on the line to dark at 530 for my crap phone. Only set the best 10 sites I have. I ended up using 42 traps total because I don't remake anything but fox catch's. Everything else is fresh trap outside catch circles. It's what I've learned from tracks in the snow.
Caught this for my Thanksgiving gift

Caught a grey today too. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Wetdog, where do you get that packbasket?

Pa skinner made that basket because I just wanted one made to my liking
Everything in its place

Would please post a pic of the interior?

Oneoldboot
Pic not the best

Another 8 today gna set a new swamp tmrw run that for a week once I hit 50 I'm gna start focusing on coon more try an get 50 of them but any way 32 down 18 more to go back to the skinning shack I go

Thanks wetdog! I am always interested in how others keep their gear from bouncing and shifting around.

Wetdog says-
--- My grays an small reds 53/4
Large red 61/2
Small yote 9 ---

I go 9" on Coyote as well.
Greys, I have 5 1/2" & 6" boards, but use mainly 6"
Reds, I use 5 1/2", bottle nose boards.

Wetdog, Your Reds seem wide to me. And Coyote seems flared at skirt. (could just be the pic)
I use narrow boards and sorta pleat the skirt. This keeps the fur dense in the rump & hips area. Presents a uniformed look. No Tee Pee shaped fur.
Thanks for you answers, Wetdog.

Like this on Coyotes...


and Red/Grey Fox...


5 1/2" Red Fox boards, pleated rumps

oneoldboot, Dave Dressler makes a great 'trappers bag' if you're interested in a bag.
I had him make me two with detachable shoulder strap.
He lives near Dutch's shop. Dutch also sold them.
If you need Dave's phone number, PM me.

Hern I like your put ups been thinking about bottle nose boards but with fur prices I tan most everything. And I just can't sell a yote they look to good in the man cave. Also the reason the ears look like the cartilage is still in the ear. All ears are taxidermy style takes a little longer but the end justifys the extra time will post a few pics of last years Tan's. Good luck and stay safe

It's official I'm a mink trapper now caught my first ever mink today little female but none the less my first just had to sit back on the bank and take that moment in for a few I've been a trapper since I was a teenager but just started actually targeting mink last season an finally today was the day after many many empty trap checks ...also got three rats the catch fell off pretty quick so I'm gna pull out of there tmrw and head down the road to the next swamp that's 35 rats and a mink in that location

Now the question is do I just tan the mink or get it mounted ?

Congats deathdealer I would get in mounted on a peace of drift wood from catch site.

Thanks a lot .. Yea if I do go the mount route I was gna get a peice of something down in the swamp I'm not paying for wood ha... Any ideas on what something like that would run? It's just a small female

On average 200-275 depending on what you choose. A little pricey put seeing it every day PRICE LESS!

Nice catch pa skinner congrats

Decided I'd put some of my pics up. Had to let three cats go so far. Guaranteed I won't snag one in season
Got my first coyote double last week
Last week has been hot for the reds and greys

Nice patrapper

Yesterday my brother hooked up with his first yote. Nice large male. Right at 49" on the board.

Great pictures guys!

PAtrapper37, looks like you have a lot of help on your line!

Lol all kinds of help. Got another yote this morning
Just wish they could help me skin and flesh

Didn't expect much today. As I only had a short line out.

Caught my second mink today nice buck in a 160 channel set went from never catching one in years to 2 in a week go figure also got a rat an a triple on coon at this one bridge crossing

Pcr2 you have a little better coon up you're way
That's a nice red pa skinner
Patrapper nice yotes
Congrats to all and death dealer now you have 2 mink for the mount lol

That middle mink looks like a big one. Nice haul.

For the guys who set 110's, how do you set them in runs and along bridges? In other words, how are you keeping them up and sturdy? Pics would be appreciated and thanks ahead of time!

Runs



Bridges

That's one way use your imagination and there are many ways.
Some one else will do it different this is just my way

Went to square Stakes this year and love them.
I usually turn the Trap sideways but you can also turn them the other way. I use mostly 160s and some 150s.

Today's catch. I had pulled most everything for deer season then set some new Areas yesterday.

Nice catch paskinner I like the sq stakes. I use laths from old house remodel if you lay 13 of them side by side they make a very nice American flag when painted

This was an odd day. One of the first stops, I heard a car stop, came up over the guard rail, muskrat in hand and there is a state cop. This is not a main road, far from it. He's asking if everything is ok and when I said I'm trapping, you could tell he knew very little about it. I was getting around to explaining to him the difference between a regular rat and a muskrat when the land manager pulls up and wants to talk about me trapping problem beaver, so the cop excused himself and left.

I had one place where I set yesterday and was telling the wife how sad it was that no kid has beat me to it, muskrat house in full view of the road and public land, I was thinking no one traps anymore. Then I went to check out a coon tree (that's what I call it, just a tree along a creek that the coon seem to use as a landmark) and lo and behold, there is a coon spinning in someone's DP. So I felt a little better knowing I'm not the only trapper left in the world, lol. I also caught a sick coon, looks like distemper, I think it was pcr that said there are no small coon, and I've caught mostly big ones too, and I saw a dead coon along a creek, yep, coon population may be in trouble from under harvest.

these count??

Had a descent week so far few rats and my third mink caught today nice buck but as for the diseased coon I'm seeing the same thing my way dead coon in creek one caught was sick as well those thoughts come to my mind as well

I bought the brackets from fnt and screwed them to a brick that way i'm not trying to push steaks into rocks, gravel etc

Are you watching sponge bob? lol. I'm not sure but I swear i see him on the tv.
Several times when I've camped around potter county I've had those guys show up for breakfast

Wednesday, I rode along with Longliner Nittany Lion, on his Mink Line.
It's an annual ride, that I've been doing for several years.
Had an enjoyable day. Thanks again, Jim!

Jim traps a mix of bridges, long stretches with no bridges, large streams and small cricks.
We drove down thru fields to get to many of his locations, also stopped along some roads the crick paralleled, plus bridges.
Jim runs a mixed of sets...Blind Pockets, Baited Pockets, Blind Trail Sets, Bridge Wall Sets, Tunnel Sets, Spring Seep Sets
He uses footholds & Conibears. But Footholds are his mainstay. Jim anchors each trap to a Brick that functions as drowner/drag.

Here's some pictures from Wednesday's line and The Man, The Myth, The Legend, the Real Nittany Lion.
Turtle Set (ask Jim, next time you see him)
Pocket set- Top, center
In water, Mink wrapped around Brick...


The remake...


Spring Seep Set


At next location, Jim said I didn't have to follow. He said the bank was steep, at least 15' high. I said ok, I'll watch. When I looked down, the bank was 40'-45' straight down steep. I swear, that ole guy is part Mountain Goat.
2nd Buck Mink caught here.
I gave this set a name...
The Cliff Set



The remake...


Jim does have Sweet, Sexy chain on all his traps...


Great to see a Mink when looking over a bridge...



Always enjoy going with Nittany Lion. And always learn something.
After the last check of the day, Jim ask, 'guess how many miles we walk today?' As he was looking at a watch thingy that told mileage you walk.
I said, 'a mile and a half.'
Jim said, 'Way low. We walked 7.7 miles today.
Wow, that surprised me.
Nittany Lion is certainly an inspiration to me. He's doing it day in, day out in all kinds of weather thru the entire Mink season. Year in, year out.
Jim is one tough customer and one rough Umbrae.

I forgot my camera in Nittany Lion's truck, when I returned home, Wednesday.
Friday morning went back early to get my camera.
So I followed him to his first stop of the day.
Nittany Lion had two Muskrats at his first stop. I think he also had a Coon & Mink this week, at this stop.

I had to take a pic to show Jim does put on clean shirt and pants from time to time.

Set a new swamp up today going to run that till Thursday after work so I can hunt deer the last two days put some meat in the freezer but was pulling my other traps and caught mink number 4 in a blind set foothold along bridge wall caught two rats there one was eating by a mink so I baited a box with a 155 wooden pan with what was left hoping we would come back he did a week later can't believe the year I'm having with mink just stackin em up like cord wood haha alright guys back down to the skinning shack to finish the night off

pulled my S.W. K9 line before Thanksgiving for deer season - finished turning my RF from 1rst 2 wks. which all look pretty nice, I caught some nice big males but it was a tough 2 wks. with low numbers on 4 of my best farms; 2 of them I didn't catch a single fox...ended up with 22 RF and 11 coon. started setting up my West line today and should have it set-up by Monday evening - looking to improve my numbers! cold weather coming later in the wk - switch over to waxed dirt from peat.

Go getem nittany lion he is one tough customer

Hern and Nittany,that is awesome and thank you.i thought i was the only one addicted enough to be out spot hopping for minkies.ever get to Potter county or would like to let me know.feel i'm blessed with quite a place here..

pcr2, I have a friend that has a cabin in Potter Co. Every time he goes there he comes back and tells me how much mink sign he sees. He doesn't try for mink, he goes there to trap beavers and bobcats and does some hunting.

i love it up here for sure,sounds like we are runnin about the same size lines.really looking forward to this weather change coming up.good luck and tight chains sir.

Here's a photo from my PA' coon line, back in the day.

them coons are real dark mister

Them are incidentals.

That one is eyeing up the little guys knee LOL.

Pa. guys, just a quick tip for free bait. $free.95
Works for any meat eating Pa. furbearer.

Deer season is in full swing.
Go to local Deer processor and ask for Deer Dust.
Deer Dust is the dust from the band saw; as saw dust is from wood
Processors throw dust away, it's scrap to them.
My local processor gives it to me, free, even though I ask to pay.
Deer Dust,a natural bait for Pennsylvania. Great addition to bait piles too.

No chopping, cutting or grinding your own bait. No mess.
Deer dust is very fine, paste like and ready to use.
Anti freeze can be added. Other ingredients can be added. Can use straight.
free.95

We are mainly land trappers but the daughter and I found a spot that looked "minky" so we set two pocket sets yesterday. Connected this morning. She was very proud. Even corrected her mother who thought it was a beaver lol

That's awsome pa trapper.

Hern, thanks for the tip. What if the dust is mixed with blood fat and hair on the floor? I believe my processor uses a sawzall. While we are on the subject, could a guy take a sawzall and some fresh venison bones and create his own, possibly more pure, pile of bone dust? Thanks

What if the dust is mixed with blood fat and hair on the floor?
I don't think it would affect it.
The Deer Dust I get is from the band saw table. Not the floor.
Steaks, Chops and Roasts are cut on the band saw. Hence; a pile of leavings (dust) of meat, bone, fat in small particles on the band saw table. This Dust get pushed off to the garbage can.

I believe my processor uses a sawzall. While we are on the subject, could a guy take a sawzall and some fresh venison bones and create his own, possibly more pure, pile of bone dust? Thanks
Sawzall is probably used to cut off legs. It's not for use for meat cuts. If so, find another processor for your Deer.
If you want to cut up your own bait with sawzall & create bait, have at it.
My point was to get away from the cut, chop, grinding of homemade bait. Point was to get FREE Deer Dust. No Mess, Ready Made, Natural Bait, Saves Time Cutting up Your Own Bait.

Chasing the pa dream of 50 rats came today I know a lot of guys don't think that's a lot of muskrats but for a mountain boy from pa like me 50 rats are hard to come by a lot of work to take those rats hope everyone is having a great season so far couple more weeks be after that tom cat how bout er boys

Mink should be moving tonight

Good deal, Death dealer, always fun to hit a goal.

Wanted- Bobcat Carcasses

Dr. Matthew Lovallo, PGC Wildlife Furbearer Biologist is asking for Bobcat Carcasses from this season, for study & research.

After skun'n, freeze carcass whole.
If being skun by taxidermist, tell him to freeze it for you.
Then contact PGC for Dr. Lovallo's contact.

Our help & PGC research will aid in a healthy population and future Bobcat seasons.
Thank you.

Death dealer, good job.
Did you catch any more Mink?

gonna get cold boy's,already got the log out to start pullin.not takin a chance of gettin froze in at these prices.bring on the ice fishing if need be.

Thanks guys ..I got four mink so far got the line pulled today after work gna go hunt deer for the next two days then me and a buddy are gna run a pretty good sized road line gna try for 100 coon before the new year we are like twenty some in as we sit Gna be a good time for sure .....I'll keep ya guys updated

Eastern Pa. trappers...let's see some SNOW catch pictures today.

had to pull the mink line due to freezing yesterday,and deer season ended so i was not suprised at all to get up this morning and see the ground covered.high temp of 15 wed. was the final desiscion maker

i like having my mink line out when it snows, food is scarce on land, and my bottom edge sets are waiting patiently

Does this count. Taken yesterday just a little north of you. I had to burn the midnight oil yesterday because of the prediction of "big snow coming".

just watched this guy get caught out my sliding glass doors.avoided a coyote remake and fell for a subtle flat set 10 ft away

Good night for mink. Saw some Fox tracks too. I'm just playing. I like catching these little guys, but no way I'm running any long lines. With gas at a little under $3 and mink at about five to ten.

It worked one time Here!!

Does this count.
No. Well ok, for a Pa. guy trapping Maine.

pcr2 & Pa'37, nothing prettier than a December Red, on the snow.

PAskinner, that warmed you up. Nice picture.

Woops

PA'37, Glad you got the pictures upright... .
Was the Coyote on a drag?

Yes...that spot is on a long ridge top and can only get stakes in like 6"....solid Rock all the way across

Pull day up north. The "punkin" is dragging and we may get another foot of the white stuff tonight. Time to go back to PA for a week or so.

don't blame ya although the forcast aint a whole lot better here.

Who all is excited for fisher and cat season?

Not me, I'm done trapping for the year. Now I need to thaw the stuff out & put it up.

82Dead, Not too excited, but going to give it a shot for a few days, at a new spot.
82, what county you trapping?

Finally got the line started Sunday. Caught and released a small sow coon from a DP yesterday at a location I landed two nice boars last year. Will a coon catch circle draw in others like a canine's would? A little early for boars to be looking for lovely ladies, but didn't know if a catch circle would act in my favor from a curiosity standpoint.

You bet I’ll be heading up to camp for fisher Got to get one sooner or later. Good luck 82 and hern and everyone else.

A bit windy and chilly this morning. After a couple of pictures and frozen fingers, I decided to keep the camera in the truck.
Corn Field Fox...
They sure can disappear in the middle of nowhere.

then, pop goes the Weasel...


Local Airport
Runway Red Fox landed...

Looks like you were right on with that new spot Hern. Will catch up soon. Been crazy since back from deer camp.

Hern I will be in Tioga county chasing this guy that I got in January and released. Good luck to all.

Cool pics!!!

That looks like a "Top Lotter".

'82, that first picture looks like you have double, but the one has gloves & a Coon tail.
Nice pictures. Good looking Fisher.
Good Luck up North.

We had some snow last night.
Here are the same sets from my above post yesterday, Wednesday.

Corn Field Fox, same set, different angle...


Runway Red, same set...

Caught a fox the other day in an area where I never thought a coyote would venture into. Just my luck a coyote came into the set and pulled the stake out with ease. Only one I didn’t wolf fang on the property. Not sure of my chances of catching it now.
Scent posts have been working good for me

Heading up for fisher tomorrow. Good luck to all the other PA guys

good luck on cats and fisher guy's.im in northern potter and have a bunch of cats but not finding much for fisher..anyone is up my way give me a holler.i'm starting back in tomorrow for winter after a week off and i'm eager.

Just the opposite here. Plenty of Fisher and no cats

This morning, 3 Reds, 1 mangy Coyote. Short line, good morning, good week to be Canine trapping...
This Corn Field has been good to me this week...


Got my friend's house/barn in the background...


Coyote Ugly...

Nice work. Poor coyote. Give him some Ivermec and let him go.

Where are the fisher photos?

No luck on the fisher. Did not have too many days to trap. Hopefully some guys did better than I did.

no fisher sign but the cats seem to be everywhere.

Nice catch pcr2.

He didn't go far

Filled the cat tag this morning

Awsome pictures guys.

Nice cat man. Good job

Nice catches pcr2

Tagged my bobcat Wednesday. Had this Tom waiting for me this morning. Plenty of cats in my area of PA

Congrats patrapper37, nice!

My buddy Bob got a nice big fisher today , it was probably about 10lbs.

Set was on breast of small pond, with heavy brush nearby.

My chain wasn't tangle but laying on the ground, chain leading under large, uprooted Tamarack. Drag hung up on grass.
Great! I got a Bobcat or Fisher...



Let's peek in the backside first.
Look what's peeking back...


Ok, A Grey Fox. I'll take that.
Pictures from the chain side...


Pulled from hiding spot so I can get a catch pole around her neck...

Looks like fun Hern

Nice catch Hern.

We had a fun rainy day today. This coyote and a mud ball of a grey fox

following are some issues I've been dealing w/ on my SE PA. RF line - went through a lot of traps early using too much food type lures...lots of trash caught - I missed more RF than usual this season trying to compensate pan distance from the hole for coyotes - my catch on RF is probably down 20% especially when I switched over to waxed dirt - rarely do they snap the trap but often prints on the trap bed from them working the DH set - last wk I remade most DH sets moving the trap closer to the DH - catch increasing misses decreasing - I've never caught a coyote in a DH, only in flat sets - no need to compensate distance from the hole for coyotes - tried using fiberglass screen for pan covers again this yr = disaster! back using poly fill exclusively w/ good results - last wk a hot location was giving up a RF a day but across the road from Land Trust property, whackos were in that parking lot 4 mornings in a row - the one guy asked me what I was doing...I then asked him what he was doing...then he starts talking real fast about how he liked trapping and he was sitting there waiting for me the trapper to tend my traps - I thanked him and moved on - so I moved the sets over the hill out of sight.

Gray fox 54,

Just curious, what trap is that?

That is a Duke #3 OS I had set for coyotes but got that grey instead

Our Christmas fox

Anyone have a better photo of the first released Maine fisher into PA?

Ebsurveyor, great pic. Not sure when they released some in Cambria county, but I know we had some with collars on. IUP university did some studies in the Ogletown area and Blue Knob area was to have had some released.

82dead, where did you get that sweet coon hat?

They arent sweet coon just regular field coon. I had to say that for some reason!
I caught the 3 large coon and had them tanned and then sent it to Wolfwoman on here to sew it together. Real good stuff for when its real cold. Cant really wear it above 30 degrees

How many traps you guys running right now? I got 51 canine traps out, thats including cables and footholds.

Hooked up a decent red in a cable this am. She worked that cable pretty hard. Not sure if a yote would have still been there when we did our morning check.

2nd red from this location (about 30 yards from a cable catch yesterday). Have most of their travel ways from a mowed path into a brushy lot set. Hoping for more.

Went up north and managed to fill my Bobcat tag.

Congrats! That is beautiful , can you share the set up, bait trap, set.

Just a double punch hole with guide sticks, Weisers Montana long call and Weisers red fox pee and a muskrat leg. Trap was a bridger 1 3/4 on long chain and grapple hooked on to a small tree

Posting pictures for coalminer

coalminer's Pa. Fisher...

Caught this fisher 12-17-2017. Beaver meat, castor type lure, Bridger # 2 dogless, lamed jaws. Released it, looking for all black to mount, plus had 11 days vacation to trap. Thanks Hern, I cannot post pics from a I Phone 7 , no clue why.

Nice Fisher!

I have no idea why I'm trapping beaver, but it's kinda fun, as long as It's just a couple sets.

Heading up north for the weekend and one final push for a bobcat. Want to hit some different places on the way up/during down time, any trapping supply stores in or around Sullivan, Lycoming, Bradford Counties that you guys recommend?

man i had to look to far for this.headed back after canines and a few beaver starting monday.will promise pics again.anyone i've talked to or would like to come up and trap give me a holler and maybe a few of us can get together over winter.lotsa beaver up here and i'll share for sure.

Muskrats like orange peels! Stupid short season, rats are just getting fully prime.

Do you use a lot of 160s for muskrat?

Yep, best muskrat trap out there.

Nice catches.

Ahh sorry, haven't checked in lately and this post isn't going to help you this time around.

In Dushore, check out Bill's Hardware. He has a decent selection of stuff- baits/lures, anchors, basic tools. We try to throw some business his way when we can so he keeps stocking stuff.

Figures... 2 days after trapping season ends, this cat decided to venture into one of our sets. "Skinned" him withthe camera, then kicked him to the curb, hopefully to either see him again through a rifle scope or next trapping season.

The k9s are moving
This sad looking fox was in a blind trail set
This one at a trick dhole for yotes
And to my surprise this one at a buried bait when I got home from work at 4 this afternoon. I did find out that setting steel in frozen ground that stays frozen is nice but getting cable stakes in was not fun. But I used a drill and a 3/4 inch auger bit and all is well in the world now.

Nice going

Thanks for the info. I'll have to swing by sometime and check it out as that's probably only a 30 minute or so trip from the cabin.

So has any guys sold any fur yet ? Was gna go meet the FHA truck Sunday but wanted to see if anybody sold to any local buyers ...Sunderland? The guy in martinsburg? Or the guy near ohiopile sorry can't remember there names

Looking to see if anyone trapping

You might want to call Gary and ask prices before you make a trip to see him. You most likely won't get enough money to cover your gas (unless you live next door to him) I'll roll the dice and ship.

Still at it. Red and coon yesterday. This weather sucks

Chrisld I thought I might be the only crazy pa trapper still at it. This morning was a rough one. I knew everything would be frozen down so I adjusted all my sets. And I caught myself by both thumbs and about peed my pants laughing. I tried to get my phone out to take a pic but all I could do was laugh so I guess I did catch a Grinner lol

Lol. I keep track of my animals caught on a little chalkboard. I have all the species ok the board with tallies.

One of the species on there is "myself" it is closing in on 10 times this year

I've got about 20 traps working for sure... need to get the rest going tomorrow. Quad didn't want to start this morning so I was running late.

I might learn how to cable them next year.

Good luck out there, I hope your traps are full.

Anyone putting up with this weather deserves to be catching lol

Chrisld how do you like bedding traps in this frozen ground. I myself love it. Getting a cable stake was a pain then I used a cordless drill and a 18" by 3/4" auger bit and that is the way to go. Good luck out there and stay safe

You need a bigger hammer wet dog. I carry a sledge hammer. Usually no issues getting them in!
I use wax dirt, A LOT of wax dirt lol. Bedding is sometimes an issue, the key for me is not digging to big of an initial bed.
They should move tonight.

I will probably give it untill next weekend! Getting worn out, and it is expensive I'm gas!

Been at it hard since the opener

My drill is lighter than that BFH.lol
I don't use waxed dirt or peet. I bed most everything the zagger way and I found a squeeze of glycerine on leavers springs and jaws keeps my traps working until a big rain then freeze. I try not to carry to much on the line. I have a line I walk every morning good workout before work.lol I have mostly blind trail sets and a few trick dholes.
Good luck and stay safe

[img:right]http://[/img]
Here's my 2017-2018 Catch Photo (83 RF, 21 Coons) - It was a good season and I feel blessed to be out there chasing fur!

Good job, Zimmer. Great picture.

Thank you Hern!

For me...my catch photos make those low market prices a tiny bit easier to take.

Congrats , great catch n picture!

Nice going Zimmer

Great job zimmer. That's a lot of hard work and hours. Are you in eastern PA?

Congrats Zimmer looks like you had fun
Nice pic I see some nice cherry reds in there.

Another nice season pic Steve!

Although I posted my own thread on the subject, please allow me to post my contribution to this thread.

My very first catch ever. A 28lbs female caught using a hay set.

Season tally: 1 coyote

Congratulations TheBig1

Thanks Hern

Congrats TheBig1. That's a nice catch.
First of many catches to come
Because now your hooked

Congrats , can u share the set up, trap lure etc. I have set many hay sets with no luck at all.

I really appreciate the recognition and compliments - thank you all!

This season like all others was another learning experience for me...yes I've been trapping for yrs but I'm not a great trapper - I make mistakes and am always trying to learn. Coyotes in my area confuse me! Obviously I'm blessed to have ground with good RF numbers but there's also a coyote population...in certain areas - and those coyotes have me wondering if my RF populations are sustainable? I caught 2 coyotes off the same farm with 7 RF - none of those RF were molested while in the trap. During the coarse of a season I lose 1 or 2 RF while caught to coyotes - this season I lost none. Not sure if this is related but during a typical season I catch doubles regularly - this season I only had 2 doubles and both were made the 1rst wk of January. Most of my ground is Ag but always has thick brushy areas and woods a part of it or boarding it. I believe the heavy cover benefits the RF for hunting but also from the coyotes. Bottom line is much of the coyote population factor in my area is a mystery to me...and I'm trying to learn.

One highlight of my season also came that 1rst wk of January when I caught a female in one of 2 sets - At first while checking this location with binos from the road (200 yds away) I could clearly see 2 RF...I unloaded the wheeler and rode out to the location but when I got there there was only 1 RF in a trap...the other set was untouched. I dispatched the fox (vixen) and was doing the re-make when I noticed the male in the nearby woods barking - I finished the re-make and left - an hour and a half later I drove by to check and there he was waiting for me in that re-make.

Regarding mistakes I made this season; over-thinking was definitely one! I'm a slow learner so once again I used the plastic screen pan covers - what a mess - lots of diggers. From there I went down hill and started using the poly-fill under the pan which resulted in more scratching and digging...I'm sure some of the lures I was using stimulated some of that digging also. To add to the mayhem I was making changes to my trap positioning on DH's - all of this was resulting in a lot of misses...scratching and prints on the trap patterns. Somehow I got way off track from my typical step-down DH. My solution was to stop and made a few practice DH sets at home where I quickly realized my mistakes. I replaced the pan covers and poly-fill with dry sifted peat inside the jaws (no pan covers or poly-fill under the pans) - bedded and covered the trap with waxed dirt and for the most part...problems solved. I typically use the peat and waxed dirt combo - still trying to figure out why I changed to the covers and poly-fill?? Needless to say I'll be making some practice sets pre-season this fall!

By mid- December I was on my best ground and on my best locations which saved my season due to the ground freezing and making for tough conditions putting in new sets. For almost 3 wks my catches were all coming from re-makes and I loved it. Quick and easy! The peat inside the jaws w/o and pan cover or poly-fill and the traps encapsulated in waxed dirt worked like a charm. I did spray glycol in the bed prior to putting in the wax dirt.

So what about you guys??? I'd like to read about highlights and or challenges you guys experienced this season.

great job guy's.i'm about caught up on fur and have some problem fox and yotes to get yet along with some beaver hopefully.been a trying season so far.let them beaver pics start guy's.

Well here is one of the more memorable moments from this season's line. Talk about over thinking- What in the world was going on here???




For the purposes of this thread- when I set a K-9 trap I am targeting K-9s- ALL OF THEM!

We want to see a "red" in the snow.

Pictures have become an issue for me. To those of you that spend the time to put them up- thank you, they are enjoyed... I cant even spin them anymore.

Good JOB Fox Man.

nobody trapping beaver????set a couple yesterday and am amazed at the population.hopefully have a pic tonight.

exciting first year for me. learned such an incredible amount here from you pros. heres my 2 yotes from the year both females.

love that pic with the track leading to the set

nice wPt

pcr2, was the Fisher in season or out of season?
Drag?

Nice fox and coyotes! Beagle I like that array of domestics and wilds. That is true versatility. Catching critters in snow is the best. It shows everything lined up right - lure, trap placement and bedding, backing, and the resulting pictures are iconic, what trapping is supposed to be like. As opposed to the muddy wet mess I found this morning. Keep 'em coming.

out and coyote grapple.run a lot of them.3 for 6 on beaver last night.

me too. update your Beaver count

that there may be the smallest beaver i've ever caught.would make a good doily

I think the dog wants to play with the dolly.lol
Selling any beaver meat?

Here are a couple beavers with the kids before school. The one was pretty small but the first one we ever caught in a foothold so the kids were pumped.

So great to get the kids involved. My 4 year old got out once or twice with me this year. It’s a tough line as far as walking goes and it’s been much colder than usual. He’s already excited for next year

great job all around Jacket.

Yote tracks everywhere this morning, what a great way to start your day with a hat trick!!! All 3 were males didn't weigh em yet.

Wow what a day! Congrats! Snow help blend your sets in real nice?

yotes gave me a lesson this morning,i gave the beaver the lesson though.

Nice job guys. Apparently the full moon did me in. 2 refusals at cables, 1 cable somehow got walked under/around, 3 traps were walked by but not investigated. Red fox tracks everywhere.

gutthooked, thosethere Coyotes are eating good. Cob and all!

Thats what happens when you trap in corn fields.
That one on the right weighed 39lbs , the one in the middle was 32 including the old cable he chewed threw and the one on the left was 29lbs.

they look more like deer fed yotes to me.

I love setting up these cables, just wish you could use slides so they don't destroy your set.

38lb male yote today, any body else having any luck?

I got a nice male coyote yesterday. Should've had more. Had a few sets worked over hard. Crazy tracks on every property yesterday

I haven't had much time to get on here this year. This is our season, with 3 nights left. I know it's not much, but we only had 7 traps out, and half of them were useless under the snow. I have a better appreciation for hay sets after this season LOL.

I enjoyed looking at all your successful sets.

Anybody have any luck during otter season?

Guthooked, why do you keep the jaws open on your coyotes?

My brothers kids like to look at the chompers on em.