Post season thoughts

Just curious with traplines coming to a close what's one thing you have learned this season to help or improve your future seasons? Either on the line or in the shed

I followed a lot of mink tracks in the snow this winter, so hoping to have better luck targeting them this coming season.

In the shed, I learned that skinning in the 55 degree basement is better than a 30 degree garage, as long as the wife can't smell me down there.

Biggest thing I learned this season was standardization and ditching gimmicks. I used to carry a bag full of lures and made 15 different types of sets with multiple lures at each set.

This season I mainly made 1 set. A standard dirt hole. With good bait and real, winter collected meat fed coyote urine. No gimmicks, nothing fancy, just good bait and pee on good sign

Caught double what I did last year. Made more sets due to things becoming muscle memory. Became much more efficient. Realized it is really much more simple than people with something to sell would have you believe

I learned that I should've caught more bcats and beavers this past winter.

I learned coyotes are more fun to put up when they are worth something

I learn the same lesson almost every year and then forget it and learn it over again. Focus on what you're good at (beaver and otter) and don't waste your time on what you're not. Land critters.

Few good laughs in there thanks guys .....as I get older I don't worry about numbers an just enjoy being out there doing something I love .....I just read a article about endangered trappers saying there are only 3 to 4 hundred trappers in the state of Maryland gotta keep the tradition alive

On the line maybe need to try a different lure and bait. I have using the same for years now and this year the canines just didn't seem to be interested. But this year seemed to just be different.

I learned it's worth the effort to spend some time getting in shape before season opens.

This was my first season in many years and I had a great time. One thing I did and it has paid off big time, keep notes. My notes are a valuable tool to read over in the off season. Some of the things I learned from my notes were:

1) Record where you set traps, baits, temp, weather, etc. How many days the trap sat and what did I catch or didn't catch. I got maps and aerial views, and marked where my sets were. Its amazing how I have cut down on the areas where I'm going to trap next year as I have learned where the animals are moving. It really has helped me look at new areas I'm going to trap, and save me a lot of time in selecting where to set traps.

2) Draw the different type of sets I used and it has taught me trap positioning that is the most effective for different types of soil and sets.

3) I cut down on bait and lures I carry on the trap line. Keep it simple and lite, as many of the areas I'm running I have to get in by pirogue and sometimes I have to trek in the swamp after tying off my pirogue.

4) Trap sign, trap sign, trap sign.

5) Beavers and bobcats aren't too hard to trap. Otters are strong as a bull.

6) Spend time after season and prep my traps and gear for next season now. Inspect and set each trap, repair and adjust now, not in the fall.

7) Rustoleum and acetone are the greatest thing you can do to protect your traps.

8) Be polite and very knowledgeable, dress neat when talking to land owners or lease holders for trapping rights.

Definetly for me is putting up my fur. Made great sacrifices with my time to accomplish. But was so rewarding when I got it figured out. Now I love that aspect as much as the field work. I have most respect for those who been doing it for long.

I learned I am still always tired running traps and working nights can't wait till next season when I am done working and can actually really sit back and enjoy myself trapping . It's very easy to get sloppy when you are overly tired.

I too am simplifying and standardizing the line. Getting rid of some traps later this year, sticking with what I can use efficiently and effectively.
Same with baits and lures, now just couple baits, couple lures, and some urine.
Got some work to do this off season but should make the line a lot more fun next season for sure.
Jim

Habitat changes are critical as I always knew or felt but after 3 years of high water and rats in every slough and small rivelet, we have had 1.5 years of very dry weather and ground water is really low and thus sloughs are dried up and small streams have a trickle so rat numbers this season were about 30-40% of the two higher years and my catch reflected that. Also with a very, very dry spring last season the first litters were either small, lost or non existent as I had the highest percent of really, really small kits this fall that I ever had. More reds around but some of the yotes are showing up with mange so they may take a hit soon. Have not seen a lot of dead coons or talk of disease with the really low harvest. Each year I think about running a longer coon line and when one sees high clearances at the auction averaging about $3 the interest wanes. Plan on more canine sets for next year and coons too as I have land owners who are wanting more harvest of coons. I think the FHA auction indicates to me that they hold some promise for rats by holding their values and probably see little future for coons and let them clear at those low prices.

Bryce

In my neck of the woods trap bobcats like coons. If you don't catch them in say 5 days, move on.
Also, never wipe out your local beaver population when prices or low.

I learned that coyote averages under $5.00 aren't worth trapping and that I can't control the weather.

Ain't that the truth about the weather. I spent last winter getting better at setting in snow and ice. This winter was rain, slush and mud.

I dont know if its learning or just finally letting go of the resistance i have to footholds for otter. The otter i trap are smart. Im glad other people in other areas say they aren’t shy to traps, but consistently year after year in various places, otters will not go into my squares. Ive tried blending and camoing above and below water and they won’t do it. Every once in a while i get lucky, but the other 95 percent of the time its otters tracks and sign everywhere. Empty traps

I have seen some good videos and beaverpealers post and am excited to give it a try. Basically flat set. Maybe on a tuff of grass. Might even try something similar to the peat moss dock set. I just have to figure out how to deal with frozen sand mud or rocks hence the dock set. Also heard cat glands get em interested. Hopefully ill get to my qouta a lot sooner next year.

I generally go hard for three weeks in late December and January. Felt sick the first day and was wiped out by the flu by the third. Tried to keep the line going but couldn't.

I learned I need to retire so I am not stuck to a rigid window of time.

I learned more about trail snareing coyotes. Managed to snare 62, didn't skin any, not going to put any up for $10-$20 for westerners
Ranchers have to pay for me to play (although about all I got paid was about my expenses. Ranchers Prices are going up next year)

Heck of a job there id say you got them figured out....be hard to toss all those dogs like thag I'd probably try an salvage glands or the skulls something eh

I targeted weasel more this year and totally enjoyed myself. I also caught more mink in land sets with both 110 magnums and the old #2 square jaw coils. Missed my one bobcat allowed. He walked past my cubby and stopped by my flagging.....probably batted it and went on its way.

Don't put off until tomorrow. Do it today.

Learned just the other day that after intensively going after all preditors I get to see turkeys.

I use brake rotors for end weights for drowners. I tossed a couple into a strip mine lake a couple weeks ago. I weld a chain onto the tops side of the rotor toward the center and use these for drags for water sets sometimes too. I tied off to the end of the chain. Huge mistake, When I went to pull the traps up I couldn't. They settled into the mud and got stuck. I just about pulled my guts out trying to get them out. My fix was to tie off trough one of the bolt holes then go down through the center with the cable so when I tossed it out of the canoe it would set on top of the cable and make it so when I pulled up on it one side of the rotor would lift off the bottom. It worked!

Learning one specific coyote right now. I want to catch him but have to wait till next year since I want his fur. He stays away from sets - but not too far away. I think I can get him but just have to do it right. I ordered my lure for next year for him already and have a rock I set out for a flat set for him so he can use it all year. I have a good trap with a drag ready and will hang it out for a while by the set when the time comes. Most are easy but this one is teaching the others....I want all the coyotes on this spot. I don't trap just for fur.