On Track Pg. 6

Information, Resources, and On-Line Trapping Forum

Previously Discussed On Track Topics

Topics:

Making Snares. Snare Trappers: Do you make your snares, or buy your snares, or both? Review This Topic

Drowning Weights. Water trappers: What do you use for drowning weights at a slide drowner set? Review This Topic

Longspring Traps. All trappers: What animals, if any, do you target primarily with longspring traps? Review This Topic

Selling Fur. All Trappers: Do you sell your fur periodically as the season progresses, or do you wait and sell it all at once? Review This Topic

Bodygrip Traps. All Trappers:. What animals do you target primarily with bodygrip traps? Review This Topic

Foothold Traps. All trappers: What animals do you target primarily with foothold traps? Review This Topic

Learning To Trap. All trappers: How did you learn to trap? Review This Topic.

Trapping Publications. All trappers: What was the first trapping book or magazine you ever saw? When was this? Review This Topic

Your First Traps. All trappers: Were your first foothold traps longspring or coilspring traps? Approximately when did you start trapping? Review This Topic

Coon Traps. Experienced Coon Trappers: If you were going to purchase a foothold trap that was to be used for no other purpose than to take raccoons on dry land, what would you choose? Review This Topic

Possum Trappers. All trappers, have you ever at any time in your career, targeted possums. Be honest. Review This Topic

Coyote Traps. Coyote Trappers: What traps do you use currently use for coyotes? (It is acceptable to model and brand specific, for example: Victor 1.75.) What is the jaw spread for these traps? (Please measure them if you are not sure. Measure center line of one jaw to center line of the opposite jaw measuring across the dog.) Review This Topic

Replies:

Making Snares. Snare Trappers: Do you make your snares, or buy your snares, or both?

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Name: AndyZ
I buy them, with the strict laws in WI I don't mess with making them.
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Name: Dan Teague
I make my own.
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Name: Bill B
With WI. regs on cable restraints I find it easier to buy them. Mostly because I prefer the ferrule style BAD.
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Name: TexA
I make 99% of my own snares. 3/32 x 19 twist cable is showing up in my equipment more and more all the time. I like the way is goes "together". Swivels in the center, or on the bottom-end are STANDARD!
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Name: Dan
I make my own.
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Name: Kyle
I like to make my own snares because it's the half the fun of snaring.
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Name: Jack Turner
Up until this summer, I purchased all of my snares. Almost all were purchased at lengths with raccoon in mind. Then while assisting in a coyote ADC situation, I recognized the need for longer snares. Having purchased snare cable and snare parts several years ago, I made snares that would be suitable for coyotes. I will probably continue to buy most of my snares for coon, but will make a few for canines as needed.
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Name: Paul Gingras
Baught the first ones as a pattern. Now make my own.
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Name: Mike Marchewka
Both...its always nice to see other manufacturers methods of making snares and new innovations on the modern snares...always learning.
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Name: redsnow
I haven't bought a "made" snare for years. Just seems easier to make them, the last time i bought snare-parts, I bought 500 feet of cable, 100 locks, ferrules, etc. Never have "timed" myself, but once you get going, it only takes a few seconds to put one together. I guess you can make them for about a third of the cost of pre-made snares.
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Name: MB
I do both. Some snares I buy and others that I prefer are not available outside of a "custom order".
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Name: 45/70
I "roll" my own, plus extension cables and cable anchors. I also make a few "slide wires" from cable. Most of my slide wires are for land use, such as moving an animal away from a fence, and locking him out on the end of the slide wire so he can't get tangled-up with the fence.
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Name: TexA
I have made most of my snares over the years. I can make them to fit a particular situation or place much easier than buy them. I have bought some in the past, but still prefer to use my own.
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Name: Hal
I make my own.

Drowning Weights. Water trappers: What do you use for drowning weights at a slide drowner set?

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Name: trapper joe
i use grain bags filled with mud and rocks.
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Name: Shaggy
I always stake the deep water end, I only trap rats, coon, mink. This year I experimented with the cable stakes with a long driver and was very happy with no pullouts and could easily remove them when done.
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Name: Paul
Anything that is heavy and sinks.
Window weights are a favorite. Square flat rocks, or old cement bloks.
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Name: mntrapper
Window Weigts
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Name: Muskman
Concrete blocks.
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Name: jeff evans
I use berlap bags from the feed store. If i,m in my jon boat I use cinder blocks filld with cement and I put an eye bolt in the cement when I pore it so I can fasten my drowner to it.
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Name: jim gober
window weights or rocks.
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Name: donwh
If using the set up for coon I began a couple of years ago to use a cable stake on the deep end. I found it fast easy and light weight to carry. For beaver I find it often times easier to use one long pole with bottom wire attached and crossed to a shorter stake than to dig mud.
If I do use a weight I often will use a concrete block and leave it for the next year. I also use window sash weights at time. And I'm not beyond carrying a sack and filling with rocks if there are any handy. I guess in short if I'm making a slide wire I will use whatever is easiest and fastest for the situation at hand.
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Name: wmthrower
For beaver I will use a concrete block. I can get them where I need to with a plastic sled I use. I will also use railroad plates when necessary. I have some that are larger than the standard plates and they work well.
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Name: Dan
For beaver I use a concrete block or 2 RR tie plates wired together. For coon I normally use a stake.
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Name: Don
Feed sacks for beaver. All other's are staked or tied off.
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Name: dave
a concreate block or apiece of heavy iron wired in deep water
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Name: JOSH
a stake in deep water or iron weights
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Name: derek brayen
I use half of a cement block for a drowning weight when im trapping muskrats and mink.
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Name: 123
cement blocks work very wel for large coon size animals
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Name: dave fulmele
For coons about 10#, beaver as heavy as i can carry out safely.always downstream if possible
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Name: skipper
If close to the road Rail Road tie plates. Most have been in place for years. A couple times I have used fox grapples caught on "Bottom Junk"
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Name: Keith
mostly RR tie plates, they're a pain to get on location, but I try to do this during summer on combined fur/deer scouting trips. I found that in some shallow water holes 18-24 inches deep, by the time I had a decent amount of rocks in a feed sack, raccoon could stand on them.
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Name: Erin
Email: farmhand6000@yahoo.com
Topic: Drowning Weights
I like too use concrete blocks when I can, but a burlap bag full of rocks works good for small too mid size furs
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Name: Dan Teague
Sandbag filled with rocks or cinder blocks if close to the road.
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Name: 45/70
Email: ganidawaski@bellsouth.net
If I am working close enough to the truck, I use 40 pound concrete blocks. If I am away from the truck, I usually "plant a stob" in the bottom with the drowning wire attached to the end I drive into the bottom. This is all for beaver or otter work. For coons, etc. I'll use paired window weights, RR tie plates, or what ever may be handy at the site.
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Name: "Earl"
old roller harrow wheels or cultipacker rollers. weigh about 35 lbs
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Name: beback
Feedsack filled with sand/rocks for beaver. Rat's/coon I wire a creek stone to the end of slide wire.
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Name: Gental Ben
I work at a caterpillar dealer ship and i reuse old bucket pins from 320 track hoe's they each weigh 30 pounds and i just take them out in the early season.
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Name: Hal
I use concrete blocks when I can get them to the location. Otherwise, I use feed sacks filled with rocks, dirt, or gravel to make my drowning weights.

Longspring Traps. All trappers: What animals, if any, do you target primarily with longspring traps?

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Name: trapper joe
preferably water animals.
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Name: Two Thumbs
I use #5DLS for beaver in drowning sets.
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Name: Shaggy
I use a lot of long springs for rats and mink as well as #11's for coon.
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Name: Paul
Muskrat and Mink
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Name: Muskman
Muskrat and mink.
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Name: levi
coon,mink,muskrats
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Name: jim gober
I like the 1 1/2 LS for mink and Rats. #2 DLS for 'coon and fox and I use the threes and fours for otter and beaver and I target beaver with the #5 LS. I had the longsprings
first and still use them.
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Name: wmthrower
I typically only use longsprings for beaver and muskrats. The biggest reason is that I only have a few of these and they happen to be large or small so they fit these critters.
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Name: Dan
None. I use coil springs.
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Name: josh
i use a single spring foot trap for muskrats and number 5 long spring for beavers.
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Name: a.wilson
I target mainly mink and muskrat with my longsprings. I find it much faster and easier to bed coilsprings for dryland trapping.
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Name: dave fulmele
beaver and muskrats in high theft areas
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Name: skipper
Muskrat in #1s mink in #1 and #11s coon in #11s and beaver in 3's and 4s fox and cats in #2s
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Name: 45/70
Beaver, # 4s and # 5s. An occasional otter, but rarely. #11s for live market otter. Not a DLS, but as a fur foothold for otter I use # 14 Jump Traps. # 11s for coon.
Occasionally # 2s for coon.
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Name: act furry
all animals
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Name: Mike
All large predators (eg dog/dingo size)
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Name: Earl
Beavers with #5 bridgers #4's at points where I may catch anything from a mink to a beaver
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Name: Beback
Muskrats are the only animal I target with longsprings
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Name: Hal
I actually use very few longspring traps. I use a few #11 on coon, and a few #5 DLS on beaver.

Selling Fur. All Trappers: Do you sell your fur periodically as the season progresses, or do you wait and sell it all at once?

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Name: Bill Ross
Usually I sell all at once, except for large animals like couger or special animals like black foxes and albino animals.
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Name: conibear Kid
I ship fur to the auctions on all the shipping dates, don't hold nothing
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Name: Jack
I sell at the end of the season- once. I don't waste my time selling 3 and 4 times per season like i know some guys that do.
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Name: sralsey
i usaully wait and sell it all at once
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Name: Jack Turner
I sell mine all at once. I like to take pics of my entire catch total.
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Name: Paul Gingrasw
I wait and sell it all at the same time. The weather is cold enouf so we get no spoilage.
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Name: Wm Hester
I usually send it to the auction house all at once.
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Name: 4trapn
i sell some early and sell the rest at end of season. *******************************************************************
Name: reddog
i wait till the last auction in my state of ohio
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Name: Dave Detzel
My time and area for trapping are very limited, so my catch is not that large. I wait until the end of the season because it's not worth the time or gas money to cash in my catch. Also, if I wait until the end it gives me more a feeling of accomplishment to see all of the pelts instead of just a few.
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Name: Paul Fox
I sell all my fur around the first part of March.
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Name: Dan
I usually try to ship as soon as I have fur ready. I just don't have the room in my garage to hold a lot of fur.
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Name: Posthole
If I run out of freezer space I will sell it. Otherwise I wait and sell it all at once.
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Name: Shay Fore
I do a little of both. Sometimes if I have alot of fur to sell or If I need money to keep running I'll sell fur mid season. Otherwise I hold on till the end of the season.
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Name: Shaggy
I will usually take it to the NAFA depot in time for whatever sale is coming up.
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Name: skipper
I used to sell all at once then I got married ( this made a BIG difference) Now I sell on the carcus nightly, I am fortunite my fur buyer lives just 1 mile from my house
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Name: Earl
We sell our green beaver whenever our PA buyer comes through, also sold some muskrats early. The rest of our catch was sold at VTA fur sale on 10th of March.
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Name: huntboy3181
I like to sell my furs all together at the end of the season. I'v usually found that I get the best prices that way. However, I'm not one that is worried about having room to store hides.
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Name: Martin Gruber
I usually wait and sell all at once.
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Name: Jeff Evans
I sell mine all at once at our state auction. That way they get a percentage to help with legislation and stuff. And I seem to get a fair price for them also.
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Name: rich
coon as i get them on the carcas beavers i put up and sell together
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Name: bob
both. what ever is handy
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Name: dusty alexander
I wait until season close un thaw all my skins and sell them.
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Name: Dave/riverliner
I bring everything from the fall to NAFA pick-up early January. Pretty much done by then, other than coyote/fox/cat snares and pred calling. Whatever I take from then onward goes in the next NAFA truck or save and send with spring rats.
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Name: donwh
I usually sell some local during the first 2 weeks to test the market. Then I normally sell it all at the end. don
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Name: hunt fish trap
i sell my fur twice a season, once in the middle and once at the end.
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Name: Corey
I sell it all at once.
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Name: James_Hopper
where i live i am so far from places that buy fur it is better for me to try and find where i can get the best prices then send or most of the time carry them in and sell all at one time.
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Name: Chad
i always wait and sell it all at once sometime i wrap them in newspaper and stick them in trash bags and place them in an old frezzer of mine to sell next year
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Name: Brad Eshbaugh K-zoo
Generally, I sell once a year at one of our 3 state Trapping Assoc. fur sales.
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Name: Don
Twice a season at organization fur sales.
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Name: Dave Detzel
I sell at the end of the season since I trap part time and live a good distance from the closest fur dealer.
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Name: Seldo
I sell twice. Once after mink, coon, & rat sesson ends and the second when I finsih with the canines and beaver.
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Name: Riley J.
I sell it usually as i get it and usually in the green. This year i got a freezer so i'm going to wait til the season progresses a bit to sell
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Name: Dan
I sell my fur twice a year.
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Name: Archer01
I sell twice a season. Our chapter 7 has two fur auctions. One late season and then another early spring.
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Name: Buzzard
periodically
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Name: Greg Yarbrough
I like to sell it all at the end of the season but I usually run out of freezer space and have to sell some of it in season.
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Name: Hal
Generally I sell at the end of the season. My agent stops by and picks up my fur.

Bodygrip Traps. All Trappers:. What animals do you target primarily with bodygrip traps?

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Name: conibear Kid
I use bodygrips for everything except the canines and a few spring rats
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Name: Jack
Well, i can't just say one but coon and beaver about equally.
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Name: cheese
definatkycoon and opposum
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Name: WI_Archer
Beaver, 'rats, otter and fisher. I occasionally go for mink with bodygrippers using the bottom edge set. Also take a good share of coon with bodygrips, just not my primary trap for them.
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Name: Jack Turner
Mink and muskrat with #110 conibears.
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Name: paul gingras
Here in Maine I go for Beaver, Bob cat, Fisher, Marten, Mink, Muskrat, Otter and Coon.The trap if biger than 5 in. jaw spread has to be 4' off of the ground or compleatly submerged.
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Name: Wm Hester
beaver, muskrat, coon, otter
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Name: Matt Campbell
When I use bodygrip traps, my main target are beaver, and otter. Bodygrip traps are the way to go in most cases.
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Name: 220cooner
Coon and I think I will go for rats in a few years.
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Name: Paul Fox
Muskrat and mink.
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Name: Trapping Fool
Muskrat, Mink, otter, and Beaver
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Name: Dan
Beaver, rats, and coon
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Name: Posthole
I use bodygrip traps on coon and muskrat
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Name: levi
muskrat, mink, coon
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Name: FLSH ETR
I primarily use 330s in water sets for beavers, and 220s in leaning pole sets for fishers.
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Name: Shay Fore
I use bodygrips on beaver, otter, muskrat, and coon.
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Name: gental ben
otter, muskrat and beaver. in ohio Body gripping traps set on land, or in a tile, den, or burrow on land shall not have an inside diameter jaw spread greater than 5 inches in diameter. Body gripping traps with an inside diameter jaw spread greater than 7 inches in diameter must be completely submerged in water. right out of the good book this means no coon trappin with body grips
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Name: Shaggy
Muskrat and Mink, I don't have many beaver and 220's are illegal on land for coon.
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Name: skipper
I live in Pa. so we are restricted to "Water ways " that is up to the officers discression. so I stay in the water completely So I am limited to mink and muscrat and water rats but not by choise.
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Name: Earl
Primarily beaver and otter. Coons as conditions warrant
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Name: Martin Gruber
Coons, muskrats and beaver.
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Name: rich
beaver, otter, mink, coon, rats,
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Name: Two Thumbs
EWhen I use bodygrips, I'm after beaver at their lodge or on a run, sometimes a slide.
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Name: Dave/riverliner
Mainly beaver, otter and muskrat, some mink boxes and coon buckets on land.
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Name: donwh
Beaver, muskrat, primary targets in body grippers. Also a few coon and mink.
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Name: Corey, LUCKY
You can target just about anything with a bodygrip trap but I stick mainly on coons, opossums, muskrats, beavers, mink, and otter.
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Name: Trapping guru
I primarily target coons, mink, beavers and muskrats.
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Name: Chad
i Primarily target coons beavers mink and muskrat with bodygripers
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Name: Brad Eshbaugh, K-zoo
Coon, Muskrats, Mink.
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Name: Don
Beaver, mink, muskrat and coon, in that order.
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Name: Dave Detzel
I set bucket sets with 160s for raccoons, and set some 110s for muskrat. I am very careful with the location of the 160s in order to avoid domestic pets.
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Name: Seldom
Rats
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Name: Riley J.
Mostly muskrats in their runs with beaver thrown in when i get the chance.
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Name: Dan
Otter, fisher, mink
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Name: Reed Muse
skunks, opossums, mink, otters, beavers, raccoons
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Name: archer01
Lots of domestic animals here in my rural community. I only use bodygrips for Muskrat and mink. Mostly under water........ I don't trap beaver.....
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Name: Buzzard
beaver
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Name: Charles Rodgers
Beavers, otters
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Name: Hal
I primarily target mink, muskrat, otter and beaver with bodygrip traps.

Foothold Traps. All trappers: What animals do you target primarily with foothold traps?

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Name: Paul Fox
Fox,coon and mink.I also take a number of 'rats with footholds too.
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Name: Corey Wheeler
I target anything that will step in one. But I would rather not use one unless it drowns. I don't like bullet holes
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Name: Brian
I mainly use my footholds for fox and coyote some blind sets for coon and caster sets for beaver in the spring.
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Name: Trapping Guru
I target coon mink fox and coyotes.
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Name: buger
I am only twelve and i target grey foxes,opposums,coons,and yotes
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Name: Bill M.
I primarily target canines with foothold with snares being illegal here. I will also use footholds for beaver, rats, and mink when the situation calls for it.
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Name: Charles Rodgers
bobcats,coons,fox,mink
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Name: Brian McNamara
Nutria , Coon , Otter
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Name: dan
raccoon
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Name: Rick Blasic
Anything that a 1.5 coilspring or a 1.75 coilspring will hold!
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Name: Eli
I would go for the fox there the funnest to trap.
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Name: Shane Rasley
Coyote, fox, and bobcat are what I use foothold traps for.
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Name: skipper
Mink mostly #11's and #2 long springs coon 11's and 1 1/2's fox mostly 1 1/2's
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Name: varmit patrol
fox,yotes,mink,coon sometimes,
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Name: j popp
coon
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Name: coon T
In believe any furbearer that i know of can be trapped in foothold traps. but primarily fox, coyote, bobcat, skunk, coon, and opossom.
But there is no problem catching mink, beaver etc... with footholds.
in some cases i do pefer coni for wter trapping.
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Name: Frank
coyotes
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Name: Nick Bagwell
Racoons
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Name: jake
rats coon and mink
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Name: Mike N.
I target primarily coon and fox with duke 1 1/2cs.
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Name: Josh
Due to my states laws(NY)I target verything from muskrat to beaver.
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Name: colt
Coon,beaver,fox,coyote.
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Name: Steve
coyoty
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Name: dan
muskrats, coon
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Name: Troy Long
Fox,coyote,coon,
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Name: Tommy Roller
Racoon and muskrat are really all that i trap with footholds. i am more of a conibear person.
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Name: levi
I like trapping coons with 1 half longspring i mostly trap them and muskrat acsonaly a nuber one on a trail set but mostly i stick to my 110 they seem to produce more rats
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Name: Brett
When I trap with foothold traps I go for coon,fox,and coyote and usually get pretty lucky
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Name: Scott
Fox and coyote with footholds
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Name: Shay Fore
I use footholds mostly on K-9s and cats. I don't think there is a substitute for footholds for them. I also use footholds at times when beaver trapping especialy if I have any smart ones.
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Name: Hugh McDonald
I trap all animal with footholds including Beaver and Muskrats. I do use some Body-gripping but I perfer FOOTHOLDS
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Name: gary o.
coons fox mink some muskrat
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Name: Wayne Knutson
Coon Yotes Mink Rats Red Fox
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Name: Cody Craig
With foothold traps I target mink.
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Name: Martin Gruber
Coyotes, and rats when using floats.
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Name: Mike
This year my target was bobcats
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Name: John Gagnon
Predetors,coyotes,fox,and cats
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Name: Wm Hester
None. I use bodygrips almost exclusively. I set footholds or snares only when I'm out of options, but MAY use footholds more in the future. I target muskrats, beavers, and coons.
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Name: Kyle Ehret
Coon Fox Mink
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Name: paul gingras
Coon, mink, rats, cats, dogs(cyote & fox) and beaver.
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Name: donwh
1st Coon
2nd Yotes
3rd Fox
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Name: skinner69
Beaver,coon,fox,and fisher.
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Name: Pilgrim
Coyotes
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Name: rich
coon, fox, yotes,
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Name: bblwi
Fox,coyote 100% foothold
Rats and mink 80% footholds
Coon about 50-50 foothold- body gripper
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Name: lil weasel
I use footholds for canines and muskrats
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Name: archer01
Coyotes, I set everything towards coyotes.
I catch more foxes than yotes though.........
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Name: Buzzard...
beaver, fox, and bobcats
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Name: Seldom
Mink, Raccoon
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Name: Jack Turner
I target all legal Ohio furbearers utilizing foothold traps. Obviously, some are set on land and some set in water. I primarily target canines and coon, but obviously catch opossum, rats, mink, etc.
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Name: Mike McChurin
I am allowed to use only footholds and live traps for fur trapping in OK. I use the live traps a little, but use mainly footholds. So I guess every animal I target is with footholds.
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Name: Dan Teague
Coyote, fox and mink.
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Name: Bobber
I use footholds on fox,coyotes,coon,and mink, and opossums. We are restricted to a 5 3/4" jaw spread here, and snares are not legal yet.
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Name: Nick Wood
Coyotes, fox, fisher, and bobcat
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Name: Mike
Target red fox and dingoes. Use a variety of traps from those locally made to those available in the USA.
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Name: Hal
Having started trapping before the advent of the bodygrip trap, I can and do target any animal with a foothold trap. However, my primary use of foothold traps is for dryland trapping and making non-lethal sets. That would be canines mostly. I also use quite a few footholds on beaver. When I use footholds in or near the water, it is almost exclusively rigged to a drowning system to make it a lethal trap.

Learning To Trap. All trappers: How did you learn to trap?

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Name: Paul Fox
My dad tought me a little bit. Mostly through reading and personal experience though. I also have a couple of trapping vidios too.
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Name: Corey Wheeler
I learned from magazines, personal experience, and teachers(uncle and grandpa).
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Name: Brian
Most of my knowledge about trapping has came from books, magazines. and now videos.
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Name: buger
when i read fur-fish-game they taght me how to trap. my dad is a hunter and he doesnt like to trap
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Name: Bill M.
My cousin taught me how to trap after college. We started with beaver and rats. Since then I've gone to conventions and read books and watched videos. Mostly though, I just got out there and am doing it.
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Name: Charles Rodgers
book, and self experiments
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Name: Brian McNamara
From a Veteran Trapper
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Name: dan
from a friend. I also learned a lot by reading books and trapper assoc. magazines
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Name: drthol
I am still learning to trap. I have figured things out so far mostly on my own. I read alot of books but feel you can only apply such a small amount of the info off the pages that generally its not worth the price. I met a great supplier who was a wealth of info but we are no longer in contact. I feel the best way to learn is to let the animals teach you. Those are the lessons thatyou never seem to forget. Study everything while you are on the line. Every leaf, every track and every tree.
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Name: Rick Blasic
Mostly trial and error. Since I started trapping at age 13, all my experience was either by reading or actual field experience
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Name: skipper
mostly self taught till I got old enough to drive and then by that time I was reading Fur, Fish and Game and learned about conventions. And have been doing them since 1972.
I don't think there is anything better! and was luckey enough to make good friends with Charlie dobbins, Russ carman and Kermit Sterns they were God sent's and cut years off my learning curve. The later is still not a straight line.
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Name: varmit patrol
from a friend a little and a lot of trial and ERROR.
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Name: coon T
i have always been interested in animals and there habits sense I can remmber. My father taught me alot about hunting sense i was little.
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Name: Nick Bagwell
My Dad Taught me how to trap and I have up a few pointers from different places.
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Name: Mike N.
I learned to trap with the aid of F-F-G mag. and their predator video with Tom Miranda and some dumb luck.
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Name: Josh McWilliams
I am the only one in my family that hunts or traps. I have been at it since I was old enough to set my first 1/2 longspring. To be honest I had a little bit of help from experienced trappers and a lot of help from FFG and trial and error.
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Name: colt
I learned by trial and error when I trapped beaver a few years ago and went from there to trap coon opposum, and fox.
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Name: lind
From the old timers that live near my home
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Name: Keith
Went squirrel hunting with my brother last year, and checked his trapline along the way. Got me interested in trapping. Spent a few more days over a weekend or two checking traps with him, skinning, fleshing, etc. This year just before season started he gave me a baker's dozen #1 to get me started water trapping, a stack of old FFG, and a few books.
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Name: Troy Long
I learned a little from friends and self taught the rest
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Name: Tommy Roller
I learned to trap by books this forum and mostly my father.
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Name: levi
My dad i found one of his traps setting around and fooled with it for awhile and realy like the idea to try trapping so my dad took me out trapping
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Name: 220cooner
mostly my dad and fur-fish-game
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Name: Scott
Trial and error, reading books, and talking with other trappers
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Name: Shay Fore
I learned to trap rats and mink from my friends father. He also showed me a little about foxes. Then it was mostly trial and error for a while because the only book I had seen on the subject came from the school library. Then I found out about the internet and its wealth of info. Ordered lots of books,joined my state trappers association,nta,fta. Eventually I attended the fur takers short course. I learned alot there. I am still learning how to trap, there is no teacher like experience and I hope to have alot of years to pratice.
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Name: Wayne Knutson
Self then HTT then FFG
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Name: Cody Craig
I went to an RA Boys Campout with the church and our pasture is a trapper and we ran a trap line along the creek near the cabin.
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Name: Martin Gruber
I pretty much learned on my own from reading everything I could find and watching videos and trial and error. Still learning.
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Name: William Hester
My uncle would invite me to accompany him on his line during my college breaks. At the time, I had no interest in trapping but wanted to be with him and be outdoors. I had no idea it would take a decade for the trapping seed to germinate in me. Take a kid trapping, even if he/she has no interest whatsoever.
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Name: Kyle Ehret
I learned to trap by reading books and watching videos. My buddy got me into though and gave me 6 Victor #2 square jaws. He knew little about trapping though.
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Name: paul gingras
I learned from my dad and an old Italian named Tony.
Dad taught me most of what I know.
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Name: skinner69
I learned to trap from my dad. When i was 6 he started taking me on his trapline and showing me how to make simple sets. My trapping education progressed from there and is still an ongoing process-i've learned a little more every year for the past 31 years and am still learning every season. When you quit learnin it ain't fun anymore-hope that never happens!
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Name: Pilgrim
Still learning! Monitor trapping websites like this. You'll learn answers to questions you didn't even know you had! Read constantly.
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Name: Bryce
Begin trapping in 1955 when 7 years old, pocket gophers
Trapped for 3 years in high school 63-66
Started again in 1980 and have trapped since. I learned from books, magazines, demos, forums, running a line and taling with trappers.
I did not have trappers in my family to learn from
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Name: Matt Campbell
When I was about six years old I was introduced to trapping. I lived on Prince of Wales Island. I learned from my stepdad. I started off trapping martin, and mink. As a youngster,I borrowed two traps from my stepdad. I caught a mink and a martin and sold it for 65$. To me, at that age, that was a lot of money. I was happy. I spent the money from those two furs and bought a few traps of my own. And ever since that day, I have been hooked. I'm glad I took up trapping.
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Name: lil weasel
I'm self taught from reading books, didn't know anyone to help, thats 33years ago!!
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Name: archer01
Trail and error. Started out with water sets almost 40 years ago when I was twelve or so. I then switched to land. I now trap mostly land for coyotes.
Still learning on coyotes. Or they are showing me what not to do......
Every year I learn some good stuff.......
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Name: Buzzard
Self taught w/ help from Fur-Fish-Game early on ........still learning today thru trial and error, demos at conventions,magazine articals, and conversing w/ other trappers both on the internet and in person.
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Name: Seldom
Trial & error after reading Hawbakers book and FF&G. I was eight years old when I sent my first rat pelts to Sears & Roebuck. That was 51 years ago. :-)
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Name: Jack Turner
I was introduced to trapping by a former friend and neighbor, Allen Wright, who is currently Brown County's Wildlife Officer. After a brief intro, I continued my education through reading magazines and books, watching videos, watching demos at conventions and plain old chit-chatting.
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Name: Mike McChurin
Reading books and publications. And the old time-tested trial 'n terror method.
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Name: Dan Teague
Studing and observing animal sign and habits. I learned to trap by reading books, studing this and other forums, asking questions of experienced trappers and trial and error while trapping. I took the New Hampshire Trapper education course as well.
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Name: Bobber
I am self taught, my father did however buy me my first traps and helped me initally, and was always intrested in seeing my catches. He was primarily a bird hunter and fisherman, and never really got into trapping. I also have a cousin who trapped off and on, and helped with advice.
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Name: Clint
Another trapper and reading everything I could get my hands on; Trapping related.
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Name: Nick Wood
EI taught my self basically and TONS OF READING! ! ! ! !
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Name: Mike
Learnt to trap by professional govt trappers, on the job over 25 years, and during 4 years of courses on animal control (a requirement at work at the time). I worked for the State govt agency repsonsile for vermin control (ie everything you would trap here!) so had access to all 150 years of research and experience in the dept.
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Name: Hal
My dad helped me set my first #1 longsprings for muskrats when I was a kid. But beyond that, I learned from reading -- mostly Fur-Fish-Game and a couple of early method books (The Schoolboy Trapper, by Pat Sedlak and Trapping North American Furbearers by Stanley Hawbaker.) Back in the early 80's, I got my first subscription to The Trapper (now The Trapper and Predator Caller) and that was helpful too. Other than that, it was trial and error.

Trapping Publications. All trappers: What was the first trapping book or magazine you ever saw? When was this?

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Name: skipper
malcolm locke (THE DETAILS OF FOX TRAPPING)
the book was written in 1946 I bought my copy when I was twelve and starved for trapping information. that was in 1968.
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Name: Paul Fox
It would have to be fur-fish-game magazine. When I was around 10 or so, my mom got me a book, "adventure guide for the all-American boy" ,by Richard Wheeler. It talked about trapping and tanning. That got me started. From that point on I was hooked on trapping.
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Name: mooch
F.F.G. it was when i was about 5 or 6yrs old. that would have been about 20yrs ago.
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Name: Ric
Fur-Fish-Game early 60's
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Name: justin foss
fur-fish-game
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Name: Buzzard
Fur Fish Game........1976
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Name: trapper jim
Fur Fish and Game in a barber shop in 1970.
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Name: chuckieo
The Trapper's Companion and Fur Fish and Game about 42 years ago.
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Name: William Monette
Stanley Hawbaker's "Trapping North American Furbearers" about 3 years ago was the first book and Fur-Fish-Game was the first magazine about 5 years ago.
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Name: Travis
Fur Fish and Game
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Name: Creekwalker
When I started trapping in 1974 at age 14, my library had the novel "Trap-Lines North" (Stephen Meader) and two how-to books: "Successful Trapping Methods" (Chansler), and "Trapping" (Van Cleve & McCracken). I discovered "Fur-Fish-Game" soon after and our librarian got a subscription to it for me. Nice lady.
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Name: Rick Blasic
The first article I read about trapping was in Pennsylvania Game News. But the first magazine that I saw directly related to trapping was Fur Fish Game
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Name: Jeff Evans
Late 1970s in Missouri I read a fur fish and game. I was out of it for 20 years and am now back at it again.
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Name: CoonCaller
The first magazines with trapping articles I read where FFG this was about 1994.
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Name: bobber
Fur-Fish -Game Magazine, and I've got them saved from 1969 to present. First book was "Trapping North American Furbears" by Stanley Hawbaker.
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Name: Mike Paul
I got a copy of a FFG magazine and my dad ordered me a copy of the book "Trails to Successful Trapping" by V E Lynch.
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Name: Mike
Fur-Fish-Game. Bought my first issue in January 2001. Best thing I ever did.
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Name: KSHunter
Fur-Fish-Game 1985-1986
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Name: Dave Sanders
Fur Fish Game magazine. Probably about 1980
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Name: Wayne Knutson
Fur Fish Game
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Name: Zane May
My first magazine I ever saw was a fur-fish-game magazine I saw it when i was 8 years old that was in 1998
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Name: John J. Weber
Fur, Fish & Game - around 1952.
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Name: WACEY LATHERS
the first i saw was the TRAPPER AND PREDATOR CALLER
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Name: Jack Turner
Fur-Fish-Game Magazine, 1980. I was in the seventh grade and picked up a copy in the Junior School library.
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Name: luke
fur-fish-game, i was in 7th grade
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Name: Jesse Thorstad
Fur-Fish-Game, 2003, more I read it, the more I wanted to try it
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Name: Dan
Fur Takers of America magazine
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Name: Evan Ebersole
fur/fish&game 1962
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Name: buger
mine was fur-fish-game, and that got me started
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Name: Rob Brewer
Fur-Fish-Game...1972
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Name: colt turner
I was about 13 then and a disabled elder man in our community offered to pay me for each groundhog I cought from his property. I had cought beaver before and had a few traps,but was unexpierenced in catching anything else. so I called my great uncle for advice,who was a VERY experienced trapper who could catch anything from mice to bear.My great aunt ran the mail route in our community,and my great uncle told her to leave the magazine in the mail box. When i came home from school I found a "Trapper and Predator Caller" magazine. after reading this, within 2 months i had made a good deal of cash from ground hogs.
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Name: Brian
Fur-Fish-Game, in the late 70's.
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Name: don
Fur Fish and Game. 1993
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Name: jeff evans
It was fur fish and game and I saw it in the early seventies. I resubscribed 2 years ago when I got back into trapping again.
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Name: mike
Fur Fish Game got me hooked with the catch photos in the back.
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Name: charlie rutherford
fur-fish-game
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Name: Kevin Sullivan
Fur-Fish-Game.
Around 1961
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Name: Lee Sillars
Stanley Hawbakers Trapping story and how to books . Approximately 5 by 8 inch in size . I was 8 yrs old and really fired me up on trapping. Time was 1951. I have the books yet but cant find them.. Got my interest piqued so going to dig for them LOL
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Name: brian
the trapper& predator caller. 1982 in our school library.
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Name: Hal
Like almost everyone else here, the first trapping publication I ever saw was Fur-Fish-Game. That was in 1959 or 1960, by 1961 I had my own subscription.

Your First Traps. All trappers: Were your first foothold traps longspring or coilspring traps? Approximately when did you start trapping?

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Name: skipper
My first traps were #1 jump traps I started trapping when I was 10
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Name: Paul Fox
Longspring. My dad had some traps from when he was a boy that he gave me(he didn't trap at the time).I ran my first real trapline when I was 13(three years ago).
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Name: Bridger
I started attempting to trap the 2003 -2004 season. My first trap was a 1 1/2 coilspring. I caught my first coon in it last season.
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Name: mooch
my first foothold is a longspring, and man do i have a pain with them. they seem to work well, i think most of my trouble is opporator error!!!! still new at trapping!!!!!!!
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Name: Ric
Longsprings,1961 or 62
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Name: justice
mine was 2 size 1 double longsprings i got them when i was 11 and set um out when i was 12
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Name: Trapper jim
I had some old long springs (some didn't even have pans!)A #1 jump or two and one conibear.
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Name: chuckieo
I used #1 victor longsprings when I was 7 years old. I trapped possums and muskrats with them.
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Name: Trapper-Randy
My first traps were a couple of #1 1/2 and # 2 victor coil springs that my Dad Got from my uncle. I guess I started trapping in 1984 or 1985.
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Name: wmthrower
My first trap was an older coilspring that my father had. It was kind of bent and not really functional. The first foothold trap that I used was a victor longspring from my grandfather. I started trapping 5 years ago after college.
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Name: Rick Blasic
My first trap was a victor #1 longspring I purchased at the local hardware store in 1979 when I was 13 years old. The price of fur was unreal that year and that started my addiction of trapping.
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Name: Trapping guru
My first foothold was a coilspring. I started trapping last year i was 13.
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Name: CoonCaller
My first traps were longsprings that I got from my uncle, when I started trapping around 1994
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Name: bobber
First footholds were six #1 Herters longspings, that my father bought for me and my brother. Caught my first mink in one. Been trapping since 1968.
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Name: Larry Corson
Long Spring circa 1950.
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Name: Mike
Coilspring traps. I believe my first season was the 2001-2002 season.
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Name: KSHunter
Longsprings. 1990
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Name: Dave Sanders
I had 5 #1 longsprings and 1 #2 double longspring. I started trapping around 1980. I would trap behind my mom & dad's house making sets in old ground hog dens. And a couple sets in a small branch. I caught a couple coons and lots of possums.
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Name: wacey lathers
the first foothold trap i used was a coilspring trap. I started at the age of 11.
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Name: coon crazzy
My first traps where size 1 1/2 coilspring traps. there so easy to set and are easy to take care of even when your little I was about 10 when I started to trap and now I am 15 and I have tried many different sets and I still find myself coming back to the coilspring traps.
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Name: Jack Turner
EFirst traps were coilsprings- 6 #1 1/2 Victors. Started trapping in 1990, age 22.
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Name: luke
both, got 13 traps at a yard sale for $17. started trapping in 7th grade
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Name: Dan
Coil spring traps were my first. I started trapping in 2003.
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Name: colt
duke long spring 1.5, these were my great grandpa's traps. I 1st saw them when i was 3 or4 and was fasinated by them. no one used them and when my great grandpa died,(I was 7 then,12 when I actually started using them) I lost one due to a poor steak that was set for a ground hog. I tried using them for beaver with little success. now I am 14 and use them for coons.
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Name: Rob Brewer
Long Springs...Coilsprings were "too expensive" at something like $2.50 for a #2 Victor. Started in 1977.
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Name: Brian
Victor 1.5 single longspring. I started trapping in 1979 when I was 13 years old.
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Name: Taylor
My first trap was a snare trap only because we had just started and it seemed like an easy and inexspensive way to trap. ijust started trapping today(12/18/05) and me and my friend caught an rabbit withen 4 hours of setting our traps.
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Name: don
First foothold traps were duke #1 and #1 1/2 coil spring traps. I started trapping with footholds in 1998
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Name: Jeremy N. Rudd
The first traps that i purchased were at a local sporting goods store. one and three quarter coilspring. In Aug of 04. *******************************************************************
Name: LUCKY
MY first traps were coilspring traps and conibears. This is my third year trapping and I've already caught 30 muskrats, 25 coons, 2 mink 4 opossums and 10 beaver.
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Name: mat
number 2 northwoods coilsprings at the age of seven
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Name: charlie rutherford
coilspring 2004
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Name: Kevin Sullivan
Longsprings
About 1965
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Name: Lee Sillars
My first foothold traps was a Newhouse 91 with web jaws and some victor nbr one longsprings.... started trapping when i was between 6 and 8 yrs old.... I set traps before i read anything about trapping for norway rats... Year would be around 1951.
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Name: Mike Butcher
My first traps were longspring traps (with toothed jaws!). Started trapping when I was about 9, started professional in 1980.
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Name: Buzzard
longsprings.........1971
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Name: Brian
My first traps were 1.5 victor coilsprings.I started fall of "82
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Name: Bill M
My first footholds were coilsprings. The first was an old 1.5 that my father had. Kind of bent and well rusted. I started trapping after college, about 5 years ago.
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Name: Hal
The first traps I ever had were #1 longsprings. I started trapping muskrats with them about 1960.

Coon Traps. Experienced Coon Trappers: If you were going to purchase a foothold trap that was to be used for no other purpose than to take raccoons on dry land, what would you choose?

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Name: Trapper_Randy
I would have to say SCM, Victor or Duke 1 1/2 or 1 3/4.
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Name: bobber
For just raccoons I use #11 (regular jaw) double long springs and I center swivel and add a universal swivel one link from the trap. I leave the trap chain the original factory length. To center swivel, I cut the factory spring clevis off and slip it over the trap frame crossways at center, and weld it shut again. In open areas I stake through the universal swivel, but mostly I use drags with extension chain in brushy areas. These are attached with a split ring or quick link to the end of the factory chain.
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Name: Paul Fox
I would go with the duke one and a half c/s. Use them on all my dry land coon sets. Works great.
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Name: Shaggy
I would have to go with the 1 1/2 coil. Easy to bed and will hold well in water and land. I did use some #11's last year but still prefer coils.
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Name: Tim
I would stick with a 1 1/2 duke coil spring, night latched with 18-24 inches of chain and an inline swivel, with a cable stake to keep them put.
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Name: derek dutton
1.65 bridger
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Name: Paul
1 1/2 Victor or other round jaw double coil with double jaw and a center swivel.
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Name: Greg Yarbrough
I am a pennsylvania resident so I must use a steel trap of the leg hold design. For me, I prefer the Duke 1 1/2 coilspring double jaw trap. I have taken numerous coon on land with these traps and held them with no problem.
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Name: john
1.5
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Name: Kyle Prendergast
#1 coilspring(Duke) because they are cheap. The traps are very easy to bed and hold pretty well. They are also durable.
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Name: Jerry
I would use a #2 coilspring for coons only on dry ground.
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Name: Sean C.
For me the #1 duke Coil spring works great I anchor a 10 inch fish to the bottom of the trap by using a small gauge wire this enables the coon to stay and work the trap thus getting caught
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Name: minker
No 1.5 victor coilspring
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Name: Steve Dejong
one and a half victor coil=springs
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Name: Justin Hamlin
I would choose a 1 1/2 double jaw or laminated jaw trap. the extra jaw will give you a nice grip on the lil monsters.
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Name: rodney johnson
1.50 coil spring
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Name: Bill Burge
My choice would be a 1 1/2 coilspring.
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Name: TexA
#11 Sleepy Creeks, they're the best out-of-the-box Coon trap on the market.
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Name: Creekwalker
I really like the Sleepy Creek #11 double-jaws with the old, round-style pan, and night-latched. It really holds them with very little foot damage. I haven't used the newer SC 11's with the square pans, so I don't know how they compare.
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Name: Justin Foss
If I was trapping strictly racoon I would choose a victor 1.75 coilspring because its easier to conceal and it doesnt do any bone breakage.
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Name: DrewmanTrapper St jo
1.5 coil spring. nothing beets its sheer holding power and great jaw size for a coons front or back feet.
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Name: ERIC JR.
If it was me i would use the duke 1 1\2 on dry land but the 1 3\4 mit be better on land because if you run a long line, you might not get there for a some time, so you dont want them to slip out.
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Name: Doug
i use a #2 C.S
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Name: Stump Lalonnde
I would use a duke trap #1-1/2 size
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Name: Tom Sauvage
1 1/2 coil: small, compact, strong enuff for years, set correctly gets a
nice pad catch. and always has a use if coon prices fall. Next choice would be a 160BT as 220s are to big in mich for land sets by law.
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Name: Hal
I don't do a lot of dryland coon trapping, but if I were purchasing traps expressly for that purpose, I think I would choose #1-1/2 double jaws.

Possum Trappers. All trappers, have you ever at any time in your career, targeted possums. Be honest.

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Name: Trapper_Randy
Never specifically targeted possums but I have caught a bunch.
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Name: bobber
Yes I have. They are a very distructive predator of small wildlife, epecially ground nesting birds and rabbits. I have a good beagle and love to hunt rabbits. We both hate possums. A few sets to thin them out really helps to keep them down and out of my fox sets.
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Name: Tommy
Yes I have and still do. I know alot of peaple who own horses and dont want the possums around. I get rid of the possums and I get to trap the rest of the land for everything else.
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Name: Paul Fox
Only when they get in our shed or under our house. I'm always happy when I catch one on my regular line though. Somtimes I feel bad when I have to dispatch them(I think their the funniest little animals).
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Name: shaggy
I have and still will target grinners in areas where I have other sets. I wont go into an area just for possums. they are fairly easy to handle and , Especially this year, I need all the gas money I can get.
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Name: Tim
No I haven't specifically targeted them. I don't need to they just seem to come running to my traps
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Name: Terry Henning
My first year trapping, I purposely targeted possums to just get a catch under my belt.
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Name: Tim
In Pennsylvania when pre-baiting was still leagal I would start putting out bait piles in hollowed out tree stumps about four weeks before I started my trapline. I did this for the sole purpose of paying for gas. Of course this was when gas cost $1.25 per gallon, but it also made my line a little more exciting. I can remember one of my first years trapping by myself I was checking traps and had a red fox bouncing around in a pre-bait station. Since then there have been greys, coon, and even a mink sitting there when I arrive in the morning although there is nothing like a grinner there after you have not caught a thing all day long.
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Name: Bill Burge
Yes, but that was in the begining and they were more plentiful and forgiving to a beginner.
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Name: drewman Trapper
No they are always getting into my canine and feline sets
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Name: stink bait
Yes when I was younger I use to trap them and take them to shop class and skin them out. It paid more than my paper route!
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Name: chuck Odato
When possums were worth 5 bucks a piece years ago I trapped them to pay for my gasoline while running a trapline for fox. This helped alot by kepping the grinners out of my fox sets. But inevitably as all canine trappers know, I still caught quite a few in my beautiful dirtholes. Also, when I was a young child, I would set possum traps when going with my father on his trapline. This gave me experience dispatching, skinning, fleshing and stretching the critters.
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Name: Hal
Back during the fur boom of the late 70's early 80's possums brought 6 bucks apiece. I made large "stinky" sets for possums along my trapline. I didn't mind catching a $6.00 possum, and it did help to keep them out of the canine sets. Also, as mentioned above possums are a very good "first time" critter, especially for young trappers who don't have muskrats to target.

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Name: RiverOtter
Victor #3 softcatch and offset. Can't use regular jaw by law. Don't have fox on my line, so the #3's catch coyote, bobcat, and lynx.
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Name: Don
I use some Bridger #3 OS trap 6 1/2" Jaw spread center swiveled 8" chain and waxed. My other go to trap for yotes has been the Duke #2 reg Jaw trap 5 1/2" Jaw spread center swiveled 8" chain or on a 2 prong drag. Don
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Name: Paul Gingras
Victor #3 double coil. Swivel at base and at stake.
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Name: Rob220swift
#3Bridgers and #2 Bridgers; both with outside laminations, 4 coiled for snow or heavy ground.
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Name: Tommy Case
I trap on multiple farms all of wich have free roaming domestic animals wich most all trappers deal with. For that fact I like the Bridger 1.65 offset that has a 5" jaw spread. When propperly staked and swiveled the trap does very well. Last season I harvested 27 coyotes with this trap and had only one pullout. When there is no chance of an accidental catch I like to use a duke 1.75 with a 5 1/4" jaw spread. I do not like to use anything bigger any time.
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Name: ricardo
I use #2 bridger 5 3/4 jaw spread and #2 dukes 5 3/8 jaw spread both offset and base plated with center swivels and about 12 inches chain and at least 2 swivels.
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Name: Jason
Number 2 and 1.75 victor off-set laminated jaws increases jaw spread
from 5.38 to 5.75 almost. For myself, coyote traps must also be center-swiveled, base plate d-ring,short chain 12". Never can have too many swiveles at least three. My 1.75 have number 3 music wire coils and they have to be base-plated.
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Name: Hal
I use primarily 1.75 size trap (5-1/4 inch) for coyote because of domestic animals. I use several different brands. Where domestic animals are not a concern, I use a larger (5-3/4 inch) trap. I don't use anything larger. As mentioned above, plenty of swivels are a must.

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