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Post by rob on May 21, 2007 13:23:12 GMT -5
I was just wondering how many trappers we have on here and what you trap?
I have been trapping for over 30 years, and go after coon, fox, yote, badger, beaver, and muskrat. I usually run a 70 mile line every day during the season before and after work.
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Post by Hardcase on May 21, 2007 20:35:16 GMT -5
Hey I'm a trapper for about 45 years now started when I was very young! I run mostly land sets now, but have trapped some large creeks and lakes. I retired last year so now I can trap to my hearts content!
I trap for coon, fox, yote, muskrat, and mink, sometimes beaver, and otter.
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Post by rob on May 21, 2007 21:37:44 GMT -5
Bob,
Last year was the first year Iowa had an otter season. A very limited quota. I never had a chance to try for one. What are some good sets for them.
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Post by clinton on May 23, 2007 2:40:55 GMT -5
Beaver,coon,possum,skunk,coyote. Lord willing, I will get back to it this year.
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Post by Hardcase on May 23, 2007 5:59:29 GMT -5
OTTER TOILETSThe best telltale sign of otters I've found to be "otter toilets". Much like a bobcat,they will stop for a dump at their toilet whenever they pass through an area. Look for toilets on abandoned/trapped out beaver lodges,downstream side of active dams. Often there will be otter slides visible. Set a few conis at the entrance to the abandoned lodges,if it's hi and dry I like to use a little visual attractor, duck/partidge feathers, fish or whatever, but you can take em blind as well and at the bottom of slides. BTW,in case you don't know,otter crap looks similair to fox, usually bones in it, and stinks when fresh. Like a giant mink turd? TRAPSNumber 220 or 330 conibear (or equivalent) traps or foothold traps with drowning locks and slide wire in sizes #3, #4 or #14. CHANNEL SETThe Channel Set is a good set for otter. It is placed in the otter/beaver's natural channel usually leading to or from beaver lodges or feeding areas. The Conibear trap is placed directly in the channel so as the animal swims through the channel he goes through the conibear causing the trap to close on him killing him quickly. With any channel the proper trap size should be used. Sticks and debris can be placed on the sides to make the channel more narrow, to force him through the trap. Also a stick may be placed across the top of the conibear to keep the animal underwater. As he tries to swim under the stick , he is forced to go through the trap. Note how the 2 sticks are stuck through the conibear springs to stabilize the trap from moving.  CULVERT SETThe Culvert Set as pictured above in Figure 1 can be set up in many different ways. It can be used as a blind set as the animals enter the culvert to get from one place to another or in conjunction with baits or lures to really entice the animal to enter the culvert. In the picture in Figure 1, the trap is attached to a rock drag. The nice side to this set is the animal will usually go into the culvert and be out of site from thieves. It is advised to use a long type drag on this set so that the animal can not go too far into the culvert. Larger culverts can be made more narrow with rocks, leaves, sticks and so on to ensure that the animal steps on your trap or enters your conibear.   BUCKET SETI will let you in on a dynamite set an oltimer showed me though. It's great for open water or under ice.If you use "bucket sets" for coons,you're already ahead of the game. Wire a shiny fish to the bottom of a white 5gal bucket. Sink the bucket,standing upright in a stream,beaver channel etc,with a 220 gaurding the opening. Wire the bucket to shore or a stick above the ice. THAT'S IT! This set works best in at least 3' of water,but I've used it in up to 6-7'deep beaver channels.Virtually beaver proof (if thats a concern),curious otters will investigate the white bucket,see the bait....KERSNAP!it's a great set when the channel is too deep/wide for a conventional blind set.Also keeps everything out of site of theives if thats a concern.
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Post by longbeard on Jun 2, 2007 15:35:02 GMT -5
I TRY to trap. Trap just about anything I can, mostly grinners and skunks.  |
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Post by cwilld on Jul 12, 2007 15:39:09 GMT -5
I trap beaver mostly. Gonna try for some cats and yotes this year. Might put in a few mink sets, too.
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Post by cotton on Jul 12, 2007 22:26:30 GMT -5
been trapping way long than i care to admit lol
if it's got hair and a season i trap it
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Post by rob on Jul 13, 2007 12:36:51 GMT -5
Nice to have you Cotton.
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Post by swampstomper on Jul 13, 2007 21:13:21 GMT -5
I yrap more than hunt or fish. Been doing it for along time,I use to catch gators for the state.Right now I'm trapping hogs for a company thats having problems with them around their plant.
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Post by Creek Trapper on Jul 13, 2007 23:38:12 GMT -5
Present.
Howdy Tman members!
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Post by hunterdude58 on Jul 15, 2007 15:30:02 GMT -5
i am a trapper. have trapped for 6 years. coon, bobcat, yotes, beaver, and rats.
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Post by killemall on Sept 8, 2007 22:11:39 GMT -5
Mostly canines but last year I did pretty good on the Beaver,coon, mink and muskrat as well. I really love going after coyote the most. I have been canine trapping for over 30yrs now in mostly Wisconsin and West Virginia.
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Post by decoy on Feb 6, 2008 2:00:00 GMT -5
Howdy creek trapper.
Throw me in the mix rob
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Post by broncbuster2 on Feb 6, 2008 19:27:34 GMT -5
Awesome discriptions Hardcase, and I especially like the drawings that show how its done.
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