Trapping Season Thread 2020-2021

[BTLowry]

Went out to check traps this morning and found this one. Pretty sure a deer stepped in it, jerked out and trap landed where it was. Think if a coon or something dug it out there would be no way for the chain to end up between broom grass and burnt stick?




So I remade set and added a little red fox pee and a dab of Minnesota Red lure.
Went ahead and added a little fresh bait to my pipe dream/flat set and added a little pee and lure to the other flat set

Then about lunch the white stuff started falling, maybe an inch of accumulation




Maybe it will help mask the traps


Sure wish someone could tell me how to correct this sideways picture crap!!!!

[Texas452]

When I trapped back in the 70’s I always used bait mostly sardines and birds and fish we caught mostly coons and possum.
My little brother started trapping a few years back and he uses all scents (coyote bobcat urine) and he does pretty good especially with bobcats.
I had a trapper come in for predator control mainly coyotes and he uses baits and a few snares.
What do some of you have the best luck with?
Thanks

[wytex]

We use urine and some lures and bait. For coyotes it seems less is more to catch them. Spouse picks up turds when he sees them and uses them for scent post sets with urine.
Heck, bobcats will go to a shiny CD hung from a bush.
Trail sets on coyotes have produced well for us this year, no bait or scent just a trail set with stepping sticks.
Bobcats like a visual it seems, coyotes are more scent oriented up here.

[Trapper76]

Originally Posted by Texas452

When I trapped back in the 70’s I always used bait mostly sardines and birds and fish we caught mostly coons and possum.
My little brother started trapping a few years back and he uses all scents (coyote bobcat urine) and he does pretty good especially with bobcats.
I had a trapper come in for predator control mainly coyotes and he uses baits and a few snares.
What do some of you have the best luck with?
Thanks

I think a lot of people put too much emphasis on the bait. The bait/lure is down the line in importance in my opinion to several other factors, mainly trap position in relation to the lure/bait. Just about any bait this time of the year will get a reaction. That being said, if I could only choose one bait/lure it would be Russ Carmens canine call.

[BTLowry]

Made some new sets today

Got 4 traps in the ground and 2 already there makes 6 total

Need to put some DPs out to get a few coons that are molesting my one feeder.

[Texas452]

Originally Posted by Trapper76

BT don’t feel too bad, everyone has traps dug out from time to time. Im sure you know the reasons. It was scented trap, not properly bedded, or he just knows where your trap is in relation to your attractant. I would say that the majority of the traps I have dug are from the scent from a previous catch. In my experience if a coyote digs a trap that doesn’t trigger, he’ll dig it again. I reset the dug trap, make a new set in in front of that one with a clean trap. Nothing feels better that to outsmart the smart ones. GOOD LUCK.

I’m going to try that

[justindfw]

Originally Posted by wytex

Put out about 20 sets, caught 1 bobcat yesterday in a Bridger #3. Dirt hole set with pigeon wing for attractant and John Graham Tomcat lure.
Nice female with good spots and back color, she should bring a decent price.
We'll spring them tomorrow and maybe re set Friday , depending on snow coming.

Do they not go off of belly color now? I thought buyers liked white belly cats

[BTLowry]

Trapper76 the next dug out trap is getting a set made in front of it

Can you elaborate on this?
Set 8 inches or so back and a little offset or right on top of other trap?

[wytex]

Originally Posted by justindfw

Do they not go off of belly color now? I thought buyers liked white belly cats

The belly is most important but back color matters too.
We put out 21 more sets more this long weekend and will have last week in Jan to trap all week and for the last hurrah.

Furs we have now are ready for sale.

[BTLowry]

Nice set of fur wytex

Hope y'all get some good prices on your fur

[Trapper76]

Originally Posted by BTLowry

Trapper76 the next dug out trap is getting a set made in front of it

Can you elaborate on this?
Set 8 inches or so back and a little offset or right on top of other trap?

Yessir make the set exactly like your trap is the attractant. I take some extra time on these sets and make sure they are blended in really well. I don’t use too much to guide their feet on this set. I think that gives away trap location to a sly old yote.

[wytex]

You must be dealing with a sly old dog, we haven't had any dug up this year.
Go get him !

Checking this morning and springing them Sunday. Set again next weekend for a week then we are finished for the year.

[BTLowry]

Had one out of the bed this morning

I made a "compass" set and I think a coyote rolled on the trap as it was in the middle of 3 different scents

Could not find any clues other than the few hairs in the trap




I did catch a coon in a DP

[wytex]

Nothing for us this weekend. Had a day and a half of high winds so everything was hunkered down. Had one miss on a bobcat, stepped beside the pan.
This morning found a snapped trap but not sure what we missed.
Spouse found some mink tracks on the creek so out come the smaller traps next weekend.

This pic shows the bounding mink tracks with some bobcat tracks on the frozen creek. The mink are the double tracks going diagonally across the bobcat's. These were right along where we missed the cat that didn't step on the pan.

[wytex]

Caught a decent female this morning and had a miss. Windy as heck again.

[BTLowry]

Rained enough here that my traps were sitting in water

Pulled all but 2 this afternoon

[brandon]

We are about to start "trying" to trap coyotes on our deer lease for the first time. We get out there every couple weeks for a few days. We definitely will not leaves traps set while we're gone but should we leave them in the ground or pull them every time we leave and reset the next time we're out? Really hoping we can just trip them and reset the next time we're out.

[Trapper76]

Three legged coyote today. I don’t know what happened to his leg, but it looks like it was healing ok. He pulled a m44 and piled up about 20 yards away.

[BTLowry]

Originally Posted by brandon

We are about to start "trying" to trap coyotes on our deer lease for the first time. We get out there every couple weeks for a few days. We definitely will not leaves traps set while we're gone but should we leave them in the ground or pull them every time we leave and reset the next time we're out? Really hoping we can just trip them and reset the next time we're out.

I don't know any way to leave a trap set and avoid a catch, maybe someone does and will chime in. Otherwise I would have a quick connect on the chain if using an anchor so you could pull trap and just reset in same spot when you return

Originally Posted by Trapper76

Three legged coyote today. I don’t know what happened to his leg, but it looks like it was healing ok. He pulled a m44 and piled up about 20 yards away.

I would suspect gunshot or got it in a trap
Most critters are much tougher than us humans

[Philip-TX]

Originally Posted by BTLowry

I don't know any way to leave a trap set and avoid a catch, maybe someone does and will chime in. Otherwise I would have a quick connect on the chain if using an anchor so you could pull trap and just reset in same spot when you return

I know an old trapper that put covers on 'em. He ran angora goats. He'd used a plywd bd that had a 2x2 around the perimeter (bottom). Checked 'em in the morning and covered 'em, then let then goats out. Penned goats at night, and uncovered. Probably also used the covers when it rained, etc.

[wytex]

Some times we will spring the traps and leave them next to where we had them set, just set the trap in a bush or something, most of ours are on chains or drags.

Going up this morning to check and then we're pulling all traps tomorrow morning and meeting a fur buyer Saturday evening.
One guy offered us $400 for our cats and coyotes, passed on that deal.

[brandon]

[QUOTE=BTLowry;15421551]I don't know any way to leave a trap set and avoid a catch, maybe someone does and will chime in. Otherwise I would have a quick connect on the chain if using an anchor so you could pull trap and just reset in same spot when you return

I wasn't planning on leaving them set but just leaving them still anchored in the ground and tripped. But I like your idea of using a quick connect so we can leave the anchor but take the trap. Appreciate the info!

[Trapper76]

I would suspect gunshot or got it in a trap
Most critters are much tougher than us humans [/QUOTE]

I bet your right about getting shot off. I used to kill a coyote just about every year that was missing a leg, I’d show people and they’d say it was from chewing out of a trap. I’ve been coyote trapping 30+ years and never had one chew out. Funny thing is they always look healthy, even though they were short one running gear.

[BTLowry]

I found one dead last year that was missing part of a back leg. Then later found pics of it on trail cam.
99% sure it was one I took a shot at up behind the house trying to get a chicken

[Philip-TX]

Originally Posted by Trapper76

I would suspect gunshot or got it in a trap
Most critters are much tougher than us humans

I bet your right about getting shot off. I used to kill a coyote just about every year that was missing a leg, I’d show people and they’d say it was from chewing out of a trap. I’ve been coyote trapping 30+ years and never had one chew out. Funny thing is they always look healthy, even though they were short one running gear.

...or snare maybe

[Smart]

In just to follow the trappings......cool thread fellas.

[wytex]

Pulled put traps this morning. Might put out a few along the road over Feb. for cats but depends on snow.
Found several inches of snow when we went up to check.
Looks like a sly dog gave us the slip. He checked the scent post set and the cat set up the creek, missed both traps. After he had walked right up the 2 track we take to set and check.

On positive, all the sets triggered when we pulled them, none were frozen. Thank the wax dirt for that.
Crossed some very fresh mt lion tracks coming out of the meadow so we check the quota and maybe go call and see if we can get on it. Looks like an immature male or female from the size.

Need the snow badly but timing was not great for us.

[wytex]

Well our fluffy hides are gone now, fur buyer liked them all.
We made good money even though the market on cats in low right now.
Here's the price breakdown on our sale.
The buyer really liked our put up too.
Bobcats had nice spots and belly color and he really was impressed with the big tom.

Buyer did say the big tom would be worth hundreds more on any other year.

Guessing we may trap a bit in Feb. just to get another bobcat or so and a coyote or 2 to tan and sell if snow allows us.
Now we can also afford some more good coyote traps.

[Trapper76]

Wytex congratulations on the fur check, it’s always nice to cash in something you enjoy!

[BTLowry]

Congrats wytex

I would guess 50 Texas coyotes might get close to that

[oneeye]

Bummer that the market is that bad for western cats. It makes ours in MN nearly worthless!

[HOUSTON52]

maybe is missed something, but the price breakdown comes to $815, not $715?

[wytex]

You're right Houston, spouse didn't check his math but the buyer is making it right.
Guy had a rough drive across I-80 in a snow storm so he was pretty tired by the time he pulled in that evening. Contacted him and another check is on the way.
That extra $100 will buy us some more traps for next year.

He did say the big tom was the most he had paid this year for a cat, and he really likes our put up, that got us a few extra dollars for each hide.

Spouse said he pulled in with a cattle trailer full of green coyotes, frozen tails streaming out the side windows. Bet that looked interesting going down the highway.

[Mohawkman]

I started putting my cell cams on my traps so don’t have to go check them everyday. I go to work in the dark and get home in the dark. Got some cool pics today . Caught a yote, and another yote came and checked him. Then a pig pig came and beat him up pretty bad. I am changing my cameras to video.

[BTLowry]

Pretty cool

That is why a lot of the professionals put out additional traps at a location, catch the ones that come around investigating their trapped kin

[Trapper76]

Mohawkman that’s a interesting sequence of photos! When we used to trap for the fur market many of the coyotes had puncture marks from being attacked while in a trap, talk about getting kicked while your down!! Thanks for sharing.

[Deafishunter]

Got my first but 2 bobcats. Been after these things for years, finally got it done today. Was very surprised to catch 2 today.

[wytex]

Congrats on the 1st cats ! Nice cats to boot !

We sprung our sets this morning and will re set next weekend for the long weekend of checking. That will be our last weekend trapping probably.
Caught a coyote out in the open driving up to check. Spouse made a great shot in about 40 mph winds and snow. She was just coming in heat so maybe some wandering males will be out next weekend.
Moved her for pics and the snow blew and started drifting on her up pretty fast.
She's a pretty silver coyote, we'll see what she brings from the buyer or we'll get her tanned.

[hogmess]

Been swamped all winter but finally set a few set this last week. I will start hitting the cats hard in the next week or so when my daughters stock show stuff slows down. Pigs are thick at our place right know. I have caught two in the last couple days. So dry these guys are always looking for something to eat. We haven’t had any blackbuck fawns in a while. Couple bobcats caught on camera close to feeders.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BTLowry]

Congrats on the cats deafishunter

Wytex good job

hogmess, that hog is definitely in a mess

[Peyton]

I just got my first traps. I got a package from Minnesota Trap with Bridger #2 dogless offsets. I wanted MB 550’s but they are hard to find now. I’ve been reading on Trapperman and watching YouTube videos. I’m ready to graduate from snares to real traps!

I can’t wait to set some dirt hole and flat traps!! I’ve got an endless supply of bones, deer/javelina/pig parts for lures and bait.

What do y’all think a mountain lion would do to a #2 with a swiveled earth anchor?

[Mohawkman]

I only have 2 Dogs so far. Coons and pigs are wearing me out. I don’t mind the coons so much because I need to thin them out, but the pigs are big enough to pull free.

[Peyton]

Found Thursday on boundary, snared every hole under high fence.





Next morning on closest hole to the kill..

[Peyton]

Wednesday Dukes

[Peyton]

Thursday snare....

[wytex]

Peyton, Montgomery Fur in Utah had some MB 550s last week, we picked up 6 of the 4 coil offset traps.
https://montgomeryfur.com/index.php?...minnesota-coil

You have to open the drop down to see the various style of 550s they have.
Good folks to deal with and ship pretty fast for us up here.
I buy coyote and bobcat urine from them too.

Update too, got the $100 check from the buyer to make up for his math error. We'll offer him the coyote next Saturday and see what he says.

[Trapper76]

Originally Posted by Peyton

I just got my first traps. I got a package from Minnesota Trap with Bridger #2 dogless offsets. I wanted MB 550’s but they are hard to find now. I’ve been reading on Trapperman and watching YouTube videos. I’m ready to graduate from snares to real traps!

I can’t wait to set some dirt hole and flat traps!! I’ve got an endless supply of bones, deer/javelina/pig parts for lures and bait.

What do y’all think a mountain lion would do to a #2 with a swiveled earth anchor?

Peyton I’ve never trapped mountain lions, but #2s aren’t enough trap. An adult mountain lion would have to step dead center on the trap, and then I doubt it would hold. Catching a lion in a #2 could and possibly has been done, but the odds are slim. Very nice bobcat! Good luck with your new traps and keep those pictures coming.

[wytex]

I agree with Trapper76, I do know a # 3 with 4 coil springs will hold one, on a natural drag.
We 4 coil about all our traps now if we don't buy them that way. Makes them nice and snappy and good holds.

[Deafishunter]

I knew I was missing a bobcat every night for the last 3 days. Due to the fur left behind. The trap wasn’t holding them. Or the cats were stepping right on the edge of the traps.
So after 3 straight misses, I decided to change to a #3 trap from a #1 3/4 last night. And bam! Got him!

[wytex]

Nice cat, spots for miles on that one !