What Did You Do Today In The World of Trapping?

I've seen this done on other sites and thought that it might be fun to do here.

Last night I sold a gun and today I placed an order with F&T. I got:

-1 dozen Duke #2 4 coiled on sale for $88/dozen
-Trappers Bender
-Pogo Stick Anchor Driver (Going to make my own anchors)
-(2) Full Metal Jacket
-Dirt Hole Punch
-Replacement D Handle (for my trowel without a D handle)
-50 foot #3 Chain
-Ralph Scherder & Rich Faler's "Fisher Trapping: Pennsylvania Foothold Methods" Book
-Caven's Violator 7
-Locklear's Bobcat Rub Lure
-O'Gorman's Powder River Paste Bait
-O'Gorman's Cat Passion Lure
-O'Gorman's Maine Fisher Call Lure

And now the wait begins for delivery. I'll be looking forward to working on traps next weekend.

Tight Chains,
Chad

Read a trappers world magazine on my lunch break

I scouted for cat sign and picked up some trail cameras.

Chopped up some rock chucks for bait. And fixed up 3 predator traps.

Just like everyday. I lived it

Pulled some really good coon and cat sets that where made for coyotes.

LOL Now that's funny!

I did nothing and I started at noon.
Well I did go out and buy my licenses so I could participate In the up coming seasons.

I pulled my remaining snares. I had to plow through some snow but I got it done.

Took a drive. Nice sunny day. Snow melting fast after our blizzard. Saw one muskrat sitting on a floating log in a flooded ditch. Traps are pulled and in a tangled mess in the garage.

Been tanning fur for about a week now.Everyday some going in and some coming out.
Going to go sell some tanned fur this weekend.

Set my first gopher trap of the year, then got a call from a neighbor asking me to stop by and check something out for him. He's an older gentleman and doesn't get around like he used to and said he had seen some sort of animal along the edge of his field several times this week but more so today. I checking it out I found a large sow raccoon in a Duke #4 on a set that was clearly made for canine although it was very close to a broken dam in a beaver pond. It was obvious she had been there for a few days and that # 4 Duke really did a number on her leg so about the only humane thing to do was to dispatched her. The trap had a tag on it but must be the trappers licence # or ID # so guess I will need to call the DNR to find out who the trap belongs to. I left everything there and now am waiting to hear back from the DNR.

I stopped at a few culverts and bridges just to see some sign.

Made room in my shed to flesh and stretch the coyotes and cats stored in the freezer.

I bought six monty 2s.
Jim

found a dozen red mushrooms,hualed off a nuisance coon catch and started making a fur tumbler! average day.

Hong some cabinets today so I could afford to trap this upcoming season.

-filled out my state trapping report.
-bid on an ADC job.
-checked my ground & rotting down otter glands, drained oil sacks & beaver livers. The livers are starting to mellow out.
-smeared 2 homebrew lures on cardboard on the 16th & they still smell fine, happy about that. One of 'em I'm going for water proof beaver/cat.

I logged on to tman.

I cleaned rat floats and piled them,got rat glands ready for buyer,set cage trap for squirrel in woodshed,hung up BEAVER otter rat traps.

Muttered some bad words under my breath while I am still waiting for my special order dozen bridgers from cabela's.
Will have to make that customer service call today to check on the order status. $99 for a dozen #3s, order processed correctly but received that dreaded email that its now on backorder. I knew it seemed too good to be true! Well, time to go fight for them.
Jim

My new knife and plate came for my old hand grinder so I can make bait

Read a back issue of Texas Fur Trails mag(oct 2008) while drinking a cup of percolated coffee. Now its off to make more beaver snares and cable extensions

Bought more gear. Same as every day.

Talked with the county judge about a beaver issue that I can't do because of travel with work.
Going to try to get the garden in before it rains this evening.

Being new to the obsession, I sat on the porch and began reading Hawbaker's Trapping North American Furbearers.

And I'm hooked. Quitting my career to be a career trapper and run a long line through no man's land.

Checked several of my middle Florida trapping tracts today. Found some good sign and lots of environmental damage. Back tracked some big hogs as far as I could. Might put a Cur dog on'em early one morning this week and see if he can find them.

Dave

Removed 1 nuisance fox from a customers yard and set multiple snares for the others near den sites. Rec'd my Comstock beaver cages from Fed ex.....

1.Caught an ADC coon and a chipmunk

2. Took my son to sell some beavers

3.Sorted my furs to ship to tanneries, coyotes, fox, raccoon, skunks, opossum, muskrats, and squirrels going to Z&L
Some beaver to GNF
Some beaver to Tubari, to be plucked, sheared and blocked

4.sorted some traps

5. Worked on the new house (painted four rooms) to get it ready for renters, so someone else can make the payment on my new TRAPPING, fishing and hunting property

That's it

Sorted traps and cleaned the garage up from season. Tomorrow the yard

Checked some of my neighbors fields for pocket gophers. Apparently word is out about me trapping coyotes and have been invited over to check out a few more places for next fall. Caught a raccoon that had been living under a neighbors house and relocated her.

I set 10 beaver traps .

Did a demo for the Texas Trappers

hauled a huge blo down poplar to the river yesterday and she about gone today.love watchin beaver.

did some trap shed clean up and organization.

WHAT!!!!!!!
Out of bounds, improper trapper ETIQUETTE!!!!

Now you won't be able to find a thing. But it is nice to see the floor again isn't it.



B

After finding out how far in the hole I'm in from last season I filed for bankruptcy. Lol

While all you long liners been paying truck loans with those big checks, this wannabe has been wrenching the last two months. Cant wait to make the big catches and drive new trucks lol.

just floated 12 miles of the river in my kayak.sign everywhere.

Good luck with that

A man gots to do what a man gots to do.

Powerwashed a bunch of land footholds. Hung them to dry. A few need new J-hooks and/or swivels. They are all probably going to need boiling in dye and then re-waxed but I am hoping some of them are in good enough shape they just need dipping in the wax pot.

I have a few dozen brand new 450's that I know I just need to powerwash, dry, and wax.

I have a couple dozen new Duke 1.5's that need working over to get ready for the coon line then powerwashed, rusted, dyed, and waxed.

Most of my bodygrips are ready to go from after season before last but a few need powerwashing and dipping in Formula One. I also have 4 dozen new Bridger 280's that need pawerwashing and dipping in Formula One. I also have about 6 dozen body grips total that need the dogs filed to adjust travel.

Jeez I wish I wouldn't have written that all out now I am feeling antsy...

Stirred up a half bucket of rotting bobcat meat, and cleaned out a freezer.

I learned that I have a lot to learn about trapping coyotes!

Added my final ingredients in my coyote and fox bait,dyed and waxed 80 K9 traps,rolled the yard and washed the pick up,was a good day

I de-boned a couple cats. Chopped up a gallon's worth of 1/2" pieces, and placed it in a bucket to start tainting. Cleaned out the bait freezer. Always a little something needs doing. Gotta keep your head in the game!

I dug out several milk crates of traps and organized and stacked them. Found a couple dozen #1 Blake and Lambs I forgot I had.

So it was almost like Christmas for you today. Lol

Today I daydreamed about prepping traps, scouting new locations, and setting traps while on my lunch break.

Finished welding on laminations, and going to finish dipping all my traps later on tonight

Hauled out some VERY ripe carcasses that should have been hauled out months ago. I never learn.

I actually set some beaver traps. It's hard to get stakes in though, still lots of frost.

lol. I made that mistake last year... never again. Local guy has a pile of yotes that are fermenting under one of his trailers right now.

Bought supplies from Mink I Love and Kansaskoons (that was yesterday though)

I received my order from F&T today. I was like a kid. Now I'm reading a book that I bought, Fisher Trapping: Pennsylvania Foothold Methods

Put some lures in a cabinet

Set 55 traps for packrats

Jeff did us a good beaver demo. Claims it was his 1st, but I have doubts abt that. He has good skills and thinks outside the box to come up with innovative ideas on new ways to whack'em. Good job!

got started on mine as well ..Frost is not quite out yet so will wait til weekend to finish .

Pulled some beaver traps, started dipping traps and trying to decide whether to skin the beaver I got today!?

Started home tanning my first two beavers ever

I swept around the totes all that stuff is stored in, does that count.



B

fed another big poplar tree to the beaver down back.

I washed a dozen new traps and 50' of #3 chain in Dawn dish soap and hung on the back of my garage to start to rust.

Now I'm just reading my Fisher trapping book.

Trapping skunks, and skinned to from yesterday.

Still skinning and tanning squirrels from last winter.Only two more garbage bags full to go.

Holy smokes! What do you do with them?

Tan and sell.
I have one buyer that takes them all.

I had no clue that you could do such a thing with squirrel. Other than selling to the fishing lure companies.

I bought two of Darin Yarborough's videos off of Ebay this morning. I thoroughly enjoyed Rattlin Chains and thought that he was a great teacher who explained things well.

Since I just got into trapping I was saddened by the fact that he'd passed. I'd hoped to run into him at the PA Rendezvous.

You're not alone.

i know a guy that doesn't move them till he can hear them.

Bought some Krud Kutter to soak my new traps and chain in to clean them as well as 3 Rubbermaid totes to store traps in. Caught heck for the $23 totes.

Was nice coming home to something enjoyable in the mail.

I pulled 15 beaver traps today .

Now that the frost is finally out I got the last 53 coyote snares pulled .. brought back lots of memories of the past winter at each set as I pulled em . Cant wait til next December to start all over .

Now that sounds like a good time.

This is what I did Saturday.

WOW! Now that's an operation

Thanks, I copied my cooker from Boss of the Swamp on utube.

Fixed for ya Dave

Nice Michael!

Amazing seeing green leaves!

I like that barrel set up. I shall steal that idea lol.

Thank you Michael. I am not smater than a fifth grader.

Haha

I've been inventorying traps and washing mud off,seperating straight stakes from bent,also grinding some glands and making bait.

Waxed some traps for a yote job.

Set a bunch of gopher traps and discovered the farmers dump pile. Scored some 5/8" rebar for stakes along with a few other goodies.

got the knife sharp and skun a few beaver.

Primed and Painted a few 330's that had a long season behind em. Put some reinforced doors on a few colony traps.

Been making up chain set ups for the next traps I buy. Nail swivel, 4-links of no.3 twist , nail swivel, 4 links of chain and a double stake ring on the end. The custer bender is real handy for making the sterling style nail swivels..

I'm still trying to figure out the bender. I bought some 20D common nails as described by Coon Creek Outdoors but have yet to perfect it.

It should have instructions with it. But it still takes a little practice to get them consistent.

It does, but it's that practice.

Watching videos tonite. Just watched Otterly Simple for the 20th time, about to put in Claudie Taylor...

Caught 19 pocket gophers today. Got a new section of land to trap coyotes on next fall so guess I get to do some scouting this week before things green up.

Been working on a bunch of number one long springs that I'll probably never use. Driving pipe inside spring to make them stouter and faster, replacing old rusted chains and moving them to the jaw end of the traps. Putting on tags as I go and will wax all later. Might go after a few of those high dollar mink this winter.

Finished welding up my chain set ups and made a bunch more sterling type swivels. Stirred up some bait also.

I just dipped 20 dozen 1.5 dukes.

pulled the last beaver traps on 1 job may have 1 more job to trap otherwise that is it until fall.

Made some extra long rebar T posts (4') for a spot I needed them last season. Spray painted the tops white.

Opened up the fur barn and thought man I hope I'm done with my son's remodel by start of the season!

made up snare supports....about 50 snares and extensions......

Looked at traps and chain at my local trapping supply house, then posted two new posts to Tman about chains and trap modification.

Searched for (and found in less than 30 seconds) my machete I lost in my snaring bush during season. Looked for Beaver sign in our little creek but found nothing.

Last night I placed, what I hope to be a final, order with F&T to get my traps modified, ready, and stored for next season.

LOL I'm sure I'll need more of something.

Painted 2 dz Bridger T3s brown. Dipped 2 dz MB-550s in Formula 1 . And drove 35 miles to set 12 DP traps. Only set 12 because it started raining. Need to set coyote traps tomorrow on 633 acre job

Going thru my dirty MB550s to reattach anchors and steel brush the built up crud off. 650s and KO juniors are done. Waiting for water to drop, got one more beaver job when it does.

Today I caught 6 coons and a possum. Set 12 DP traps and 6 coyote traps. Came home and redipped MB-550s in Formula 1

Made a few hundred bucks nuisance trapping beaver. And dreamed of fall. Too many tourists here now!

I put a little honey in my quart of rattlesnake based lure to tone it down a little.

Counted beaver tails to turn in for bounty in a couple days. Use money to pay dues for deer lease.

Caught 4 more coons and 1 coyote. Only had 6 MB-550s set Going to set some more MB-550s tomorrow

made 30 drowning rods and 10 long drowning cables...need more z traps

I received yet another order of stuff from F&T. I'm also getting ready to attend the PA Trapper's Rendezvous from June 7-10. Looking forward to my first trip there.

Today I spent time in the garage and did some simple modifications to a dozen Duke #2 four coiled traps. I added a center swivel to them, I filed the back of the pan flat, night latched the dog, leveled the pans, and set the tension. The only thing left to do to them is add a piece of 6’ #3 chain capped off with a coyote drag so that I can use them in the mountains for cats, Fisher, Fox, and totes.

A big thanks to Rich Faler’s and Ralph Scherder’s video on Mountain trapping for that idea. Otherwise this bonehead would be up there pounding stakes until either I broke or the rocks I’d be pounding through broke.

Lambing season here, so it's up early to check ewes and a few snares and traps that I have out. Had a male coyote in a snare last week and would expect a female to be around. Also had another coyote dig a new crossing between Thursday night and Friday morning. Put a snare in there and now to wait. Haven't lost any lambs to coyotes this year so far, which is helped out by the guard dogs that we use.

I took a dozen #3 Victor long springs that have been in my garage for several years and decided to modify them first I took them apart painted with rustoleom then added sleepy creek offset jaws and step down PIT Pans next week I will add base plates just too have something to do

Joe, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I’ve watched it 3 or 4 times now and I’m certain that there are more viewings in my future. I too won’t be too awful far from my truck with the vast majority of my sets.

As for their trail cam usage, I’ve already invested in more rechargeable batteries so that I may do the same thing. I really enjoyed seeing the trail cam video coupled with the results in the end.

Finished up 2 nuisance beaver jobs,and ripped out 3 big dams by hand.I love a good cardio workout,lol.
That's 6 dams and 23 beaver from 6 spots since May 15.
5 beaver at one spot, 4 at another,5 at another,4 at one, 3 at one and 2 at one.

Ground some fish for coon bait.

I just finished breakfast and a pot of coffee. Going to work 11-12 hours putting back money to take time off for trapping season. Its a simple reality that I can make more money working for wages than trapping. So I work a little more in the off season to make up for that deficit. Coyote market is improved but no where near what it needs to be to quit working a traditional job to kill coyotes.

I received (6) 330s in the mail from a trade.

I’m finishing the first book of The Adventures of Lew and Charlie while dreaming of such adventures and solitude. I’m hoping that someone at the PA Rendezvous this weekend will have some of the other volumes for sale.

I solved the mystery of the dressed rat controversy. LOL

I’ll bet that’s a good story. Probably just as entertaining as The Adventures of Lew and Charlie

Some time back I bought six Montana #2s off of a gentleman from trap shed. He gave me a sweet deal on the traps and threw in a set of PIT step down pans and stainless dogs for each too. I installed the pans and rods last night, and four coiled each. Will add double stake swivels this weekend and trap tags, welded kinkless twist link and in-line swivels...then they will go to the "ready to boil" tote.
Jim

Ordered a dozen new bridger #3 dogless, and some black trap wax for next season

Watched "high performance snaring vol 2"

Been changing my coyote traps to this set up for double stake
Got about 5 doz. Left to do.

I made a dozen homemade pogo anchors when I got home from work. Might make another 2 or 3 dozen.

Just finished short chaining all of my coon drowning traps thanks to everyone's imput. Made sure there was a swivel in there.

Brian

I just swapped out the chain on a dozen Montgomery #2’s that I got and adjusted the pan as well as the tension. I only got 6 done so I’ll finish the rest tomorrow as well as start on another set of traps.

I got my order of lures from Lenon’s Lures. Thanks John and Sheri Chagnon! Free shipping over $30.

I took off some kinked drowning cable from some beaver traps. ( I really need to get more rebar drowning rods).

Organized and added some new shelves to my trap shed/ everything else shed.

Load up 185 MB 550s and 4 doz DPs traps in truck . Leaving tomorrow for 14000 acre 21 day coyote and coon trapping job in Sumter County Alabama.

I want to go. I’ll be the bait boy, I don’t care

Ever been to York Alabama? Take me afew days to get line set out. Come on down!

Don’t tempt me Brother! I’d retire in a heartbeat if I could learn the trade and be able to pay my bills. My wife doesn’t care what I do as long as the bills get paid.

To be honest. I dont know of a single southern trapper that traps Full Time. I trap about 7 months out of the year. Then I guide deer hunts and a few thermal hog hunts

[/quote]To be honest. I dont know of a single southern trapper that traps Full Time. I trap about 7 months out of the year. Then I guide deer hunts and a few thermal hog hunts [/quote]

Living that way must just be terrible.

Put new PIT step down pans and stainless round dogs on the 6 #2 Monty's I mentioned on page one of this thread.
Stared at a pile of #3 bridgers and debated starting on the adjustments...maybe this weekend.
Jim

I continued my work on changing out chains on traps, adding crunch proof swivels, adjusting the pans, as well as adjusting the tension. Only about 2 dozen more to do and then I'm done with that.

Since I'm new to trapping, I have to do this to every trap that I own. Hopefully next year will be easier. Actually, I don't care, I hope that I have to work on them again next year. As long as I'm not spending money on more chain and swivels to the extent that I am this year.

My wife has a part time job and will be working tonight. I think that I'll throw some traps in the dishwasher tonight while she's gone.

put traps into vinegar/water bath to remove rust before making trailer hitch covers out of them

they'd been thru a fire and are softened thru and thru.

I would like to see a picture of that. Perhaps even purchase one, that sounds cool.

I made drags last night for my mountain traps using 5' of #3 quality chain from the drag to the trap chain and connected them with a quick link. Now I need more chain to finish the entire dozen.

Sold some traps and prepped some for extra swivels.

Also bought 2 off the Trap Shed, hopefully they come soon!

I too have some waiting on me from the Trap Shed. I’m hoping to buy them next week and hopefully be working on them next weekend.

Ground more fish for bait, and working on a dogless set-up for a no.4 newhouse.

Put together another dozen Pogo Stakes.

sifted 28 5 gal. buckets of good dirt - laying in the sun now drying - next string of hot days and we'll be making wax dirt

Played, with my new Bridger #2 dogless. Thing beds like a champ. Counted my #2 dbls to see if I wanted to add some. I have 3 dozen so I think I should probably not but still probably will lol. The uncertainty around S.C.M makes it more likely.

Hey Mr. Caven, how about #2 and #3 Bridger dbls added to yall's line up? Just scaled down versions of the #4 would be great lol.

I built/added onto the shelves in my garage. In between them I built a clothing rack to hang my hunting clothes on. This also gave me more space to better store trapping gear. Now I can once again access everything without having to move something

Mixing bait.

Day dreaming about the up and coming bobcat season....

Cleaned out the fur shed. Pulled all the old cardboard up off the floor, and used the shop vac on whatever was leftover.

built and painted another 2 dozen 1/16 1x19 coyote snares .. gets me to 240 .. need another 2 dozen stakes and Ill be ready

Bought another 40’ of chain to finish making some drags.

Sold my reloading setup so now I can pay for the traps from here that are being held for me. I’m hoping to be working on them this weekend.

Went to Home Depot today and bought 2 bags to use as a trapping bag and the other as a bait/lure bag. Also kicked in for the padded carrying strap.

Bought a used canoe for beaver and muskrat trapping

Sold all my duke #4 wire stretchers to buy more Top LOT stretchers!

Finally sold my reloading equipment. Bought 10 Montana #2’s from a great guy whom I hope to become fast friends with. Bought a subscription to Fur, Fish, and Game as well as The Adventures of Lew and Charlie volumes II through V. Also paid for a 3 year membership to the FTA. I also joined the PA Trappers Association. All in all it was a good day. I also wanted to place an order with Dakota Line Snares but they’re working on the site right now. That’s just my luck.

Tomorrow I’m picking up a cement mixer for $75 from a guy at work.

Loaned two cages and a couple DPs to a friend to help catch some chicken eating coons.
Started some bait.
Jim

Bought a dozen muskrat traps to use with my new canoe!

Clean out my fur shed. Making progress... slowly

Ordered 3 dozen K.O. Extrenes, 4-coiled, offset with outside lams. Tried a half dozen last year, they are a beast of a trap.

I showed restraint by NOT buying $6.00 apiece 220s shipped in the fur shed.

Ask a full time WCO that question sometime
What don't they do !

Got more traps and more Stretchers.now i am done before the online tax starts.

Bought some traps a couple days ago. Then today I pressure washed my K9 traps and my 4 wheeler.

Sold the 10 Montana #2’s that I just bought on Thursday because the guy that I bought them from said that he has some Montgomery #2 Dogless to sell me.

Changed out the chain and swivels on a dozen Montgomery #2 Dogless that I already have.

Once I purchase the other dozen that’ll give me 4 dozen Montgomery #2’s and 1 dozen Duke #2 (4 coiled) traps total usable traps. That’s good enough for me for my first full season coming up. Once I get everything checked and set then it’s time for the power washer.

Cut stakes for mink snares

Took a drive to check out farmers planting patterns next to water filled ditches. With decent rainfall and corn these could be good muskrat locations early especially with colony traps.

Welder JC conner's swivels on some Coyote traps. Modified one of my trowels.

Had my trail cam out to check out a likely Fisher area...

Great picture,Rendezvous.I mixed some lures today.

Whats he sniffing at rendezvous?

Got 5 traps modified today before night shift.

Nuisance coon job.

Boiled a dozen new traps to get oil off. Making a list of new baits and lures that I want to try out this year.

Beaver Tail

Took advantage of the hot weather and made about 20 gallons of waxed dirt.

Power washed my traps from last season, boiled, dyed, and waxed them.

Power washed my traps and picked up a couple things from Lowe’s

I've got 20 gallon of dirt sifted and drying. I put 3 or 4 dozen traps through the dishwasher and they're hanging in the basement. I washed all buckets and totes with baking soda and they're drying. Maybe tomorrow, or at least sometime this week, I'm going to dip the traps that I have ready.

Time to relax and let the sun do it's work. I need a bag of sand to get dry and wax. Then I can make waxed dirt.

I took this week off so I should be able to get it all done including my Honey Do list

That's a cool vid,reminds me of growing up and tramping around in the bush as a kid.When I was a kid there was a lot of porcupines in the maple bush in the part of Ontario I grew up.
Used to see the odd one with a baby in late april just after the snow would leave.Many times you could locate their den from their smell.They liked to live in a rock crevice and there would be a mountain of "pellets"outside the den.

In winter you could easily see them up in the bare trees from quite a distance,then they would have a well beaten trail in the snow from the tree to the rock den.

This is kinda something in the World of Trapping, a trap modification...

I like it! almost threw dipping 100 MB -550s black in Formula 1 .

Working with some fur.

Put my own chain set up on some used MB 550s I bought and started soaking some trap dip off of them. Started going through an accumulation of odds and ends stuff that's taking up space.

Picked up two more nuisance beaver to bring my total for the year to 50. Got my first snared beaver of the summer. Just trying to use all the tools.

Spent all morning at the nta convention. Pulled around a big yellow wagon and filled it with more gear for this season! What a great show. Spent a little more money than I planned but got some great deals and got some great equipment.

Bought a few dozen more traps and some modification parts.

Made a couple dozen T-stakes.

Bought a pint of sodium benzoate and 2oz of castor to make Lazuras’ bacon bait tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to putting out a dirt hole with a camera on it just for fun since there’s nothing else to do.

I made the Bacon bait by Lazarus today. I didn’t read the recipe right and ended up adding 2 cups of honey instead of one. So I added about 2 bags of pork rinds to the mixture to thicken it up.

It’s now in the fridge aging and melding.

Took the pans off of three dozen 1.5 victors getting them ready for some wild river mink pans. Also made some more Wolf fang earth anchors up with 18 inches of eighth inch cable.

Got about 13 dozen new traps soaking in some degreasing solution this afternoon. And organized some other new equipment and put things away. Getting really amped up for season now!

Ground all the glands I got at the Escanaba Show. One of the best trapping conventions I ever went to. Met a lot of really neat folks.

Making some duckbill chain stakes

I tried the Rust-oleum/ acetone dip for my water traps last weekend, I am very impressed!

Loading up for coyote contract jobs. Got 180 MB-550s in back of truck.

Finished making my coyote snares for the year. Got them in the dish washer now and will paint them later today.

Good luck and be safe. Send me some pictures brother.

Couldn't find a large pan for a Duke # 3 so I made my own.

That’s nice! Wish that I had the equipment and skills

Finished 6 more dozen Snares getting ready for the Long Line this fall. Is it Nov. Yet?

Got the wild river pans in and installed and adjusted a half dozen these may change my mind on old victor pinch pans being my favorite mink muskrat trap. Also got 4 MB550s in that I bought used off of the trap shed. These may be the most abused traps I have ever seen caked with paint and dip so thick dogs barely move. Have them soaking in vinegar now but I will be surprised if it cleans them. May have to soak in acetone one at a time its so thick. But they were a good deal price wise so I will clean them up.

Replaced springs on some Vic 1.75 I picked up at Escanaba. Going to use them on drowning chains.

All it takes is a saw that will cut metal, a drill, and a bench grinder. Easy peasy after the first one.

Power washed the 4 MB 550s yesterday put back in and soaked overnight in vinegar and water again and power washed again today. All of the old dip and paint came off. they were so caked when I got them none of the markings were legible. Gave them a logwood dye bath and they are as good as new. Now ju st need to put my chain and swivel setup on them and wax.

bought 10lb block wax at hobby lobby on sale for $18.00 for traps and wax dirt.

yesterday I finished adding chains and swivels to some 1 1/2 sleepy creeks. Ordered PIT springs for them today

Melon patch catch

Ground some bait and cleaned some lure bottles.

Added a couple more traps on the farm. Should see some more yotes bouncing very soon. Lots of sign.

Went to the MD rondy and spent some time talking to Mike Murray and Scott Painter. Only got 1 trap though.

It was a Newhouse 15 though.

just got back from the MN convention.

set up 50 muskrat traps, extended the chains, and got the same number of fiberglass poles flagged and ready for fall.

Ground aged muskrat glands, shrimp and 3 year old full skunk glands. Also drained juice off tainted bobcat meat and added red wine to let it soak in.

hit a skunk with both tires in the wife's jeep.if that smell don't get you fired up nothing will.and yes,i did remember to back over it again and again but don't tell her.

I've been getting lures and bait organized.Doing a lot of cleaning and going through old buckets,bags and totes.Found so neat old lures that are probably 20 years old.I like to clean all the messy jars,threads and lids plus replace contaminated or faded labels,before season.Also re-ground some older baits to get a smoother consistency.

Finished putting the Wild River pans on 3 dozen 1.5 Victors and adjusted them. Now I gotta buy 2 dozen for my Bridgers. Also started building some more cable stakes. Got all the K9 traps cleaned dyed and waxed.

Pretty hot here today so I dipped some water traps

I was finally able to afford 20 pound of flake wax and mixed up some dirt with it to do the truck bed thermal method today and tomorrow.

Opened this thread for the first time and perused through 12 pages.

went out to the farm and got 65gal dirt got half of it sifted today going to make up some wax dirt want to keep some unwaxed dirt on hand to use until it starts freezing up

Welded some 24in t-bar stakes and bought a landowner's lunch!

Dried another 20 gallons of dirt, checked the tracking on my F&T order, and inventoried (smelled) my baits and lures.

started cutting out a few new rat stretchers tonight. Going to try some wood instead of wire see if I like them better.

planted 10 blueberry bushes my best landowner dropped off for helpin him keep the beavers outta his 2 acres of starters.nice 3 yr old bushes and it was one of the few things i didn;t have on the farm.i may have hinted last winter.

Making my very first batch of coyote bait.

Spilled 2 quarts of hoof juice in the fur shed. So I'm a little nose blind lol

Lol Oh man!!!! All though I’ve never smelled it I can only imagine what it would be like.

I poured 4 boxes of baking soda and a large bottle of peroxide on it and closed the door.lol I'll check it next week. Might be OK by then
It has it's own smell

Light a match and build a new one lol

Just remember old trappers never die we just smell that way lol

I made a quart of it last year, but never had the courage to open it. It was sitting on top of the refrigerator in the shop. When I took it down to get rid of it, all I could think of was those old western movies where they were handling nitro glycerin.

One hot day! so i used the KBL black dye and did 2 dozen traps. Still have some left but i could not keep the sweat out of my eyes with black stuff all over my hands. Yes i know better!

I attended our Game Commissions Cable Restraint course and became certified. I had a great time learning with a bunch of amazing instructors. Now I can’t wait for the PA District 9 Trapping School on September 8th. It’s a two day deal where we get to stay overnight.

just finished my rat stretchers. Made 2 Large, 2 med., 2 small. I don't trap to many rats so didn't need to do so many. Now just to do the belly wedges.

Just picked up 2 dozen Bridger #2 Dogless from Jerry Jr. and a dozen dogproof traps. Borrowing some and dipping a dozen for Jerry.

Traded a dozen Montgomery #2 Dogless and 5 Victor #2 DLS for a recurve and half dozen arrows. Not sure if it was a good deal or not.

I’m boiling traps on my stove and will hang in my basement to dry before dipping in FMJ. I have a dozen in the pot now and another dozen on deck.

I’m loving my new gas stove with one of those 80,000 BTU burners. It’s making quick work of this pot of water.

still making wax dirt made 10 gallons so far tested some yesterday as of tonight water still setting on it, using 1/2 pound wax to 1 gallon dirt

just finished belly boards for my rat stretchers. Getting everything ready now for fall.

Going to watch Trapper Jake for the umteenth time. What an amazing man he was. Imagine the amount of knowledge that passed with him.

Welding up 6 dozen 48" coni supports for 110s. then make a few dozen more 48" 330 h stands

Hauled in a 122 lb beaver from the arkansas river, had it almost in the boat....then i woke up......

Made about 7 gallons of waxed dirt since it was hot and NOT raining.

Made 3 dozen cable stakes.

Made a deal with MINK I LOVE IN trap shed, more traps

Got 30 gallons of dry dirt sifted and ready to wax this weekend. My first year trapping and completely forgot about getting dirt ready, so sifting dirt with a colander really sucks!

I've been converting a corner of my shop building into my fur shed. Today I put up my skinning machine I bought from ADC. It looks good I can't wait to use it.

Welding up a few drags

finish dipping some traps.The KBL dye is good on my old traps but the newer traps are a little lite.I did 2 doz 110 1 doz 11 and 6 220 and still have dye left.GOOD STUFF

I boiled traps and bought some 2x4’s to make a trap hanger in the yard tomorrow. I want to be dipping traps tomorrow.

Waxed dirt and waxed dirt

Had an extra smart pot cooker laying around as a gift. They work great for melting several pounds of clean unscented parafin wax! Then just move setting to low Which on this thing was about 160 degrees and fed it a steady diet of traps all day long. Was cleaning the garage anyway so this was my side gig. Ran about a hundred traps through it during the afternoon.
Safe, no flames, easy to control the temps, and hey it was something we had and were not using anyway. When it cools off overnight I just put the sealed lid on it, locked it down...so wax stays clean in there and ready for more future dips.
I should see if the Mrs has any more cool things we don't use around here.
Jim

Bucket of #2 longs waxed and ready to go.


Bucket of new degreased, but undyed and waxed #3 Bridger ready to go.

Good idea Jabne , thanks for sharing. Only thing I did today was look at some tanned fox hides hangin on my wall.

Yesterday


Today

Jim, I like long springs and I'm a huge #2 long spring fan. Just seeing that bucketfull raised my blood pressure a couple notches.LOL

The smart cooker is a heck of an idea too, by the way. Thanks.

Gave a few jars of glands a stir and sloshed three jugs of what will be lure bases around a little. The traps are ready to go early this year.

I just realized I have 2 months till season and I have done nothing but start a batch of fermented eggs. Not good cause I have to make wax dirt and dye and wax all my land traps.

Well, no scouting due to floods. Watched a great utube video on winter mink sets. Oh, and I opened a bottle of weasel lure and sniffed.

Got out three gallon containers of fresh preserved deer chunks. Added different ingredients to each to make three different baits..stirred, and returned them to the shelf to sit for a few days before another stir.

Picked up two small concentrated strawberry flavoring bottles from hobby lobby (back in frostings and candy section) and dumped those into a gallon container of cheap dry cat food. The concentrated stuff from hobby lobby is intense and has way more piercing odor than cheap imitation stuff from grocery store. The spearmint and the Cherry are awesome too. Adds way more zing to dry DP bait!

Painted my trapping tools blaze orange today so I won't have to search for them when I set them down.

Checked on some skunk sacks that I'm rotting down. It's always a slow process, but this batch seems to be taking longer than most.

I sifted about 100 gallons of dirt to use for wax dirt if I can get it to dry. Then I took all my traps to work and washed them with the pressure washer and I scored 3 nice mice for bait in the process. So now I'm getting the water got to boil them . Hopefully I will get them all boiled by tomorrow so I can dye and wax them before it cools off for the evening.

Practicing making the Pipe Dream set with KO Extremes.

Made some different variations of snare supports. By far I favor the support with the cold rolled steel upright.

They look good, Wish we could use snares here.

Added long chain and swivels to about 80 new traps. Then dyed them and hung them in the shop. Have to get some more swivels and j hooks at the Wisconsin convention next weekend. Then I can modify another 70 traps. Then I can wax the whole lot at one time.

I dipped a couple dozen traps in FMJ for the first time. Tomorrow I’ll dip them for the second time.

I boiled and waxed about 60 traps today. Water boils fast when it's this freaking Hot out and so does the wax.

I ground eight gallons of deboned bobcat meat. Then I preserved and spiced it and eight gallons of deer scraps with hearts and livers.

Made up 30 gallons of wax dirt and dyed some traps and cleaned up a few more. Slowly getting ready for the season.

This weekend, both yesterday and today, both my daughter and I are attending the PA District 9 trapping school. I am just in awe over the program that these gentlemen have put on for us. It’s truly amazing!

I started a part time job at a 140 plus acre apple orchard Friday and I already have permission to hunt and trap after they close for the season. I've seen a couple greys and the amount of fox, coyote and coon sign I've seen looks very promising.

Got on trapperman

Got some new Amberg snares from John Graham in the mail to give 'em a try this year

Still lots of high water from the rains. Drove out to check water levels and take a walk. Lots of standing water and skeeters to go with it.

Last night I spray painted my hammer/digger, my sifter, my driver, my trowel, spade, and conibear tongs all bright glow pink so I won't "forget" where I set them down by a set again this season.

Mixing bait. I have a gallon of bobcat and beaver that has just been preserved.
Mixed in the SB and MP and will add the solution as soon as it's ready for it.

Got a new tool bag to store all the extra bait and lure that won't fit into my trapping packs.
I plan on rotating lures every week to keep the yotes from getting habituation.

Placed a order with F&T. Now the wait begins.

This is it so far, but It's still early.

Strained some liquified venison liver and put the sludge into a separate jar. Checked on some beaver too, but decided to let it go a little longer.

Placed an order to MTP.
Can't wait to open it.
Jim

Got on Trapperman. Going to Minktoberfest in a couple weeks

And today my package arrives!!
Just like Christmas, what a cool box to open


Jim

That (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) Fire is right....put a dab in a buddys truck one time.

Added some chain to some Bridger 1 1/2 coils for mink,i like 2 feet for mink.Might dip them tomorrow in Dakota line water dip,looks like it will be in the 80's last time for this year more than likely.Need to dye my canine traps a little later when it cools down a little.

Yes forgot to put those away last night...and the Mrs was not pleased.with the smell of our garage.
I put them promptly into SAW cans and took care of that issue. That stuff is pure skunk in a bottle.
Built a mink box today and put up a little more waxed dirt...just in case.
Jim

Went to a small expo of guys selling stuff. Bought some mouse bait, fencing pliers, super stake driver, a couple used knives, double ferrules, etc...

cut parts for another dozen colony traps, and took a drive to secure permission on a few spots

Made another fifty snare extensions this morning did some scouting this afternoon and permission calls tonight

Scouted new ground looks very promising except very little k9 sign.

Dyed and waxed 2 1/2 dozen traps, finished the last batch of wax dirt

Cut the old cable off of last year's stakes and made a handful of short slip loops to stake down some saved up bobcat feet as a coyote enticer.
Think I learned this from John Nolan


Also added some bait solution to 2 gal of meat I had preserved.
Should be ready for the yotes in a couple weeks

Made the last 75 gallons of waxed sand. Will pick up 3 dozen K.O. Extremes and a bunch of other supplies at the state convention on Friday.

Made another 2 dozen snares , ran out of triggers or I would have finished another 2 dozen . That will give me 300 to start the season .

Picked up 14 Jake Traps in an EXCELLENT Trade

Made some drowners and put them on 1.5 coils

Attaching I.d. Tags to 3 doz new snares and prepping #2 victors for dipping

Yesterday I adjusted a dozen traps and spray painted them. Today I'll start dipping them in FMJ. It'll soon be time to clean all of my bags and tools for the season.

Went grouse hunting, spent most of my time looking for good snare and trap sets and still harvested 4 blue’s.

Made 3 dozen super stakes with #3 MB chain
Mixed up some bait.
Cleaned the "shed"(garage)
And received a small order from MTP

Added cable and Berkshire disposables to a dozen #1.5 bridgers for coon and mink sets along creeks near our coyote locations.
Gave the bait a good stir.
Jim

dipped 36 MB-550s In Formula 1 for the second time in barn. Waiting on weather to break = stop raining so I can go and finish up some coyote contracts in Clarke ans Wilcox counties. 2 more 10 day contracts and im done with coyotes till Feb 12 th of next year!!

Got my John Graham's coon river trapping bag from PSC. Very nice.Will be a good bag for digging roots.

Sprayed down my trapping hat, carharrt jacket and Duluth pants with permethrin. Nice sunny day should dry quickly! Boots too!

simmerin another batch a traps in a few minutes.

Waxed 6 dozen traps and ready for canine season!

Set 5 beaver traps on a nuisance job.

I almost hate to admit it, but I put some traps out today for coyotes. I don't care what the fur is like I just want to get my first one in a trap. Weather is changing, I know they won't be prime, but I really need to figure those things out.

Started wiring supports to 110s for mink blind sets.
Cabled some 160s to heavier supports for coon blind sets.
Stirred some bait.
Was misty cold rainy afternoon so took the boys to local lake to toss some muskie lures.
Jim

Made up a few lure holder/decoys for my cat cubbies.

Dyed a dozen #2 bridger dogless and started replacing cv boots on my 4 wheeler
J

Put my dipped and dried traps in a tote and cleaned up my garage a bit.

la4wd those look good apparently you've watch locklears cat trapping how to video. but id say those will give off a curiosity affect! I sit in front of a press all day makin rod base plates! Now in going to grill some fresh deer loin.

Finished a nuisance beaver job today.
Dropped the water about 4 feet.

Knocked some doors for permissions and ran my bait test holes for a visual before the rain.

making a list, checking it twice...
Jim

Asked permission to trap mice and predators on the grounds of the state prison at which I work. I'm hoping that things work out. This is a huge property that I could really learn a lot on.

Set some beaver traps. Farmer didnt want to wait till Nov. Gotta keep em happy. At least it cooled off and their not far from the truck!!

4 yr old and I did some more scouting

Got 6 Bridger #2 Dogless with 5’ of chain and coyote drags in a trade.

Got a permission from a new landowner. Scouting old areas too. Water still pretty high.

Talked to some landowners. Reaffirmed permission on 16000 + acres.

Started a coyote bait today just to see if they will work it this early. Time to play a little.

Ordered some of John Graham's #3s and #5s.

I knocked on some doors and renewed my permissions on a few old farms I've trapped before and picked up to new spots to trap coyotes. Made contact with the city parks dept. And will be trapping $10.00 rats again this fall. Eat your hearts out boys. That and re upping for the coyote CWD trapping program. And those coyotes are $100.00 each and I don't have to skin those flea bags. Life Is good.

Spent 20+ minutes on a Health Rider exercise bike trying to get my 86 year old legs in shape. Most years I would get exercise through scouting. This year I have kept my truck off grassy dirt roads because of dry weather with high fire danger. Today, for the first time in over a month, we had a little rain, and more is expected next week. I'm still nursing a bad cold and allergies. As a trapper, I cannot let such things slow me down.

And I thought I was old. Good luck to ya. LOL

I have nothing more to do. Doesnt make a lot of difference anyway...i only have about 40 acres to trap.

Adjusted some traps and painted them black as well as degreased some coni’s.

Caught my first coyote in a trap today! Dirt hole with Weiser's horse meat bait.

Donated to a youth trapper limited on funds for the up coming trapping season.

old newbie,

Will that coyote grade semi?

recieved my monty number 2 rj usps and adjusted accordingly

Not sure, it looked pretty good, leather was mostly white.

Went to the Indiana state trappers draw,for the kankakee fish & wildlife area. Only 3 of there.Got all zones to trap.

Looks like it's furred out well for this early,finished dying all of my canine traps today and did a little scouting.

Went scouting and the rats are building huts. Marked some runs for body grip sites.

Built a stake puller and a few dozen cable stakes. Got permission on a new chunk of property. Added a few more pocket gophers to the bait pile.

Made some cable quick attachments for DPs

old newbie your October yotes look better than my January yotes! Stinking missery genetics!!

Hopefully there will be more of these, this is my first one in a foothold ever

Made some cable stakes, dyed some traps

Put all the goodies I got at the KS rondy away and made some more wax sand.

I set a few beaver traps, and picked up one beaver in a damage control job for the county.

I just ordered the Fur Handling video off of Wisconsin Trappers Association Page. I’ve been told many times that it’s one of the absolute best fur handling videos out there.

Just ordered 2 dozen No-BS dog proofs to give them a try

Rustolium dipped 3 dozen foot holds and a few bodygrips.

Got the kids working together helping dad catch up on things. Definitely feeling the season knocking on the door.

Knocked on doors all day picked up some good looking coyote ground. Know If ever stops raining and dries up I may be able to trap It.

Have a co-worker who's kids are just starting out trapping. Took him a whole bucket full of different baits and lures to give them. Hope they enjoy it and have some success with it!
Jim

Nite latched some traps last evening

I put improved chain and swivels on a dozen traps and made the cable stakes to go with them.

Decided to call it for the year gopher trapping. Cleaned traps and gear and put them away. Cubed gophers for coyote bait, will age some and freeze the rest. Counted and tallied my total for the year, 447 Pocket gophers and 73 striped gophers. Not bad for this summer.

I filled my snare cans with sage brush leaves to absorb any moisture that may have accumulated and to scent the snares . Shot a couple early coyotes as well to check fur quality , fur looks decent but still too early as hide was blue . Other one was badly manged .

Cleaning up and re dipping 100 MB-550s . Getting them ready for a 10 day coyote contract in Evergreen Alabama on Monday

[quote=20scout]Decided to call it for the year gopher trapping. Cleaned traps and gear and put them away. Cubed gophers for coyote bait, will age some and freeze the rest. Counted and tallied my total for the year, 447 Pocket gophers and 73 striped gophers. Not bad for this summer.


That is one nice trapping rig!

Thanks! The neighbor kid calls it my "GAV" or "Gopher Assault Vehicle". Looking forward to trying on coyotes this fall!

Traps are all boiled and dyed!

Dyed and waxed all my coyote traps this week.

Knocked on doors yesterday. Got some huge tracts of land. 1 farm had 2 300 acre parcels we can trap on. I'm thinking I'm going to have to get help or for sure buy more traps.

Beav, sounds like a terrible problem to have. Lol

That's not the whole story. I missed a large landowner yesterday. I hate doing business over the phone but I called him today. Guess what I got as much If not more ground from this guy.
I just called Duke and more traps are on the way. LOL

Oh man, that’s great!!!

Watching Trapper Jake with my dad before we take my 9 year old daughter out tomorrow for the youth deer rifle season.

Good luck to her. Pics tomorrow evening please.

Thank you. If she scores and if I can figure out how to post them I will. For some reason they’ll never upload for me anymore.

I just tallied up the ground on 2 of the farms I have permission on.
2,450 acres and the 2 farms over lap.

One land owner called me today to say He wasn't to keen on having me kill all the coyotes so he wasn't going to allow me to trap. But when I told him I was catching them and letting them go I was In like Flynn.

All business today. Water still high but marked rat runs with wooden lathe and checked out toilet areas and feedbeds. Can't wait till next Saturday.

Filled some plastic bottles with dry DP bait so those are ready. Easy to haul and pour from.
scraping wax from trigger next.
Also wiring up 110s to stabilizers then wrapping each up to set fast for rats and mink.
Jim

Connected on a nice Fisher in the place where my trail cam caught one...

Very nice Rendezvous!!!!

Looks pretty well furred for Oct.

What Did You Do Today In The World of Trapping?
Not a darn thing.
Tying up loose ends...I washed the outside windows on our house & put the patio chairs away so that's done and now I can start trapping

musta been as nice there as it was here yesterday.spent too much time sittin in the woods enjoyin the sun yesterday but i needed it.the amount of rain on already flooded ground we are supposed to get has me worried and holdin off still.

I pulled my rat sets on Tues. Grand total was 25 rats. My mind tells me I can still do It but the old body Is flat out telling me I can't.
So It's off to trapping those rats through the Ice. Which I have failed at In the past.
so If any of you hard water rat trappers that have any words of wisdom for the old beav feel free to Pm me or lay It out for all of us to read.

Getting old Is not for sissies. LOL

Traps all dyed and waxed - organizing all my gear... counting down to Nov 10th!
I hear ya Beav!
I used to pack all my stuff in an old ALICE pack - even took 2 hotdogs with buns to fix a lunch along the line. Start a fire and toast them and heat some water for a cup of instant coffee.

Gonna lighten the load this year - not taking any hotdog buns... LOL!

Died and waxed a batch of traps, welded some trap stakes, made a colony trap. Chomping at the bit to get started water trapping on the 15th! Tight chains everyone!

Checked rat sets. Made more sets. Weather was rainy and sleety. My favorite kind of day.

Cleaned up the skinning room. Fired up the propane heater in it to make sure it worked.

Waxed 6 dz traps today, mounted unistrut and hung all my stretchers up. I'm thinking about setting some coyote set Thursday, our season doesn't open till the Friday before Thanksgiving but coyotes and beaver are year round.

I hear ya beav. I caught 24 rats this week and an incidental mink I wish I caught next week. He's not blue blue but kinda in between blue and white. At least $2. Anyway, I am already in my Pajamas. Taking the waders off was hard work.

sifted a bale of peat moss for bedding this weekend.

That's a heck of a system that you have there!! Very nice!

The truck Is loaded and we are on our way to catch some $99.00 coyotes. But of coarse the forecast Is rain for the next few days.
So field access might be a bit iffy.
Then we have warden school on Wed.

Thanks. Wheel barrow underneath catches the sifted peat. Pretty simple really.

Checked some traps. Next for canine sets.

Got a bunch of sets in on the weekend. Sorry, took very few pics of sets...lol

Today I followed a buddy through the start of his marten line. I meant to set up for the wolves that have been hanging around but fresh snow covered all the old sign. The original plan was to get a moose or a couple caribou and set up the gut pile but the herd we tracked made it into thick timber. We picked up 5 marten though. I was going to check my line on the way home but a migraine hit. Feeling a bit better now so I'll probably try my dads new stapler and put a few more boxes together.

Got the boat loaded and ready to go. Hope to get the rat and beaver sets in Friday afternoon. Assuming it's not all froze up here. Next week looks good. So I don't think I'll get froze out for long. Here's hoping anyway!

Got my duke 1.5s ready for the pocket sets. I laminated,added swivels,added stake swivels, adjusted pan tension, added base plates with center swivels and dipped them in rustoleum and oversprayed with sand colored spraypaint.

empty traps today.