Dakota Posted May 24, 2009 Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 I'm thinking of running a small trap line (and I mean small, I'll probably only be able to run a dozen traps at most) this coming fall/winter. Just bought two #1.5 CS Dukes for coons and am planning on buying a bunch more. I have an ideal river bottom for trapping coons and will hit a field adjacent to the river bottom hard after the bird seasons for coyotes and foxes so I don't have to worry about catching somebody's prize retriever. Birthday's coming up soon so I'm hoping to get a few body traps or foot holds. Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 24, 2009 Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 I love to trap!!! Been doing it since I was probably 10 or younger. Problem is......my job doesn't allow me the time. Got back into it for a few weeks back in the '06-'07 season when I was rehab'ing my back surgery and could finally get out of the house. Got back into it just to see if I still had the old touch. I had been out of trapping for close 20 years. Got a few nice fox and some 'coons, skunks, possums and muskrats. Small suggestion...........I'd go with Bridgers or Victors over the Dukes. Never was too crazy about Duke quality. A dozen 1.65 Bridgers will serve you very well for 'coon and fox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted May 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 Sweet! Yeah, I'm getting excited! As far as brands go, I just got what they had at Scheels for coil spring coon traps. Do you know of any good trapping books or magazines? Lately I've been trying to get my hands on as many FFG magazines as I can. Thanks! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 24, 2009 Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 Get a catalog from Sterling Fur Company in Ohio. Keith is a great guy to deal with and an all-around gentleman. There's any and everything you could ever want or need in the catalog.....including how-to books. They don't have a website so far as I know. You have to call them. 330-939-3763 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted May 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 Thanks, Strut! I'll have to do that. Say, what is the difference between a long spring and coil spring aside from how you set them? Which would be better for a shallow water coon set? Thanks! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 24, 2009 Report Share Posted May 24, 2009 Coilsprings apply equal pressure to both sides of the trap for better holding power. They generally tend to be stronger and faster firing. Coilsprings are also more compact and are easier to conceal. They are better for an all-around application. I do like #1 longsprings in drowning sets for muskrats, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted May 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 Okay, thanks! I'm thinking of getting some 6" body traps too. What I'm wanting to run is just a small hobby trap line with 12-15 traps. I have the perfect river bottom to run with a corn field in the middle of the line where I'm planning on placing 1-2 canine sets. I just have the two 1.5 CS right now, but I'm thinking I want to get four or five more of those, four or so body traps and maybe some bigger coil springs for predators. I'm excited because I have so many options down in that river bottom. I'm debating whether I'll want to bring along the longbow in case I see a deer, or just use the .22 and bag a few bunnies and squirrels along the way! I'm getting purty excited! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 If, when you say "canines", you are meaning coyotes...........you're gonna need more trap than the #1.65. A #1.65 may hold a 'yote, but it'd be a stroke of luck more than anything else. Minimum of a #2 O.S. but preferrably a #3 O.S. for big doggies. You'll need to double stake 'yote sets, too. Know, though, that the O.S. jaws will allow a 'coon, with his flat feet, to pull right out. Bridger makes a good quality body trap, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted May 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 Yeah, I'm thinking fox/coyote. What does O.S. mean? Oversized? Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 Offset. The jaws do not go the whole way closed when the trap fires. There is 1/4" or so of space between them when they're shut. Helps eliminate paw damage and allows the trap jaws to go further shut before stopping on the animal's foot. More holding power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 I've been a trapper for about 30 years. I just recently retired as a NYS DEC Nuisance Wildlife Control Officer. I will be glad to lend any advise you may need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 I used to trap more when i was younger. Mostly beavers, but did catch a fox or two, but never was a bona-fide "trapper". These days I only try to take out a few coons using live traps, that way if i dont have time to check on them, it's no big deal to wait another day. Running traps is time consuming, and a commitment you have to keep. I tried to snare some hogs a few years ago, and that didnt work out so well, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneshot Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 I'm thinking of running a small trap line (and I mean small, I'll probably only be able to run a dozen traps at most) this coming fall/winter. Just bought two #1.5 CS Dukes for coons and am planning on buying a bunch more. I have an ideal river bottom for trapping coons and will hit a field adjacent to the river bottom hard after the bird seasons for coyotes and foxes so I don't have to worry about catching somebody's prize retriever. Birthday's coming up soon so I'm hoping to get a few body traps or foot holds. Dakota Hi Dakota, I've been trapping coming up on 44 years and a full time nuisance wildlife control operator (trapping is what I do for a living). I have never found Duke traps reliable, especially for coon. Stick with name brands like Victor, the extra cost for name brand traps is well worth it and you won't walk up on a set with your trap in pieces with no animal in site. Try this company for your trapping supplies: Minnesota Trapline Products at... http://www.minntrapprod.com/index.php For coyote try the MB-650 O.L.I.L. I use these traps exclusivly for coyotes and can say I have never lost one dog and the damage to the foot is most often times none existant. Read the info. on there site. Also for trapping information a great start would be subscribe to The Trapper and Predator Caller mag. at... http://www.trapperpredatorcaller.com/GeneralMenu/ And by all means check all the trapping regulations for your state. There's nothing worse then worrying or getting in trouble while your trying to enjoy yourself. Although trapping can be a tough act. Enjoy yourself and if you have any questions I'd be glad to help....... Here's a video I took (sorry, I wasn't used to the new camcorder) while I was hired by a local municipality to take care of a coyote problem. You can see the coyote go right up to the Fox Pro caller I put out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted May 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 Thanks for all your advice guys! I'm new to trapping and didn't realize Duke wasn't a name brand. Here in SD you can trap/hunt coon, fox, coyote, badger, beaver, possum and skunk (why anyone in their right mind would go after a skunk is beyond me ) all year long with no limits, but we can't set traps within 30ft. of water until Nov. 1st when the Muskrat and Mink season starts. So I'm stuck attempting cubby/pocket land sets for coons until November or maybe conibear and bucket sets as well. How likely are you to catch mink in a water coon set? The majority of my trapline will be water sets once November comes around and I have several spots pinpointed on a small winding creek that is fed by a lake and eventually joins up with the Big Sioux River. There is a lot of coon sign on this creek and I'm thinking I might even be able to catch a few mink under a bridge and by a culvert on opposite sides of my trapline. What do y'all think? Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkV Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 Dakota I trapped for years and am full of advice if you need help. I also probably have 200 FFG magazines that I would be willing to ship to you some at a time if you would be willing to ship them back. I also have some instructional video's from Tom Miranda on trapping different species. PM me if you are interested. Kirk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneshot Posted May 28, 2009 Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 (edited) Thanks for all your advice guys! I'm new to trapping and didn't realize Duke wasn't a name brand. Here in SD you can trap/hunt coon, fox, coyote, badger, beaver, possum and skunk (why anyone in their right mind would go after a skunk is beyond me ) all year long with no limits, but we can't set traps within 30ft. of water until Nov. 1st when the Muskrat and Mink season starts. So I'm stuck attempting cubby/pocket land sets for coons until November or maybe conibear and bucket sets as well. How likely are you to catch mink in a water coon set? The majority of my trapline will be water sets once November comes around and I have several spots pinpointed on a small winding creek that is fed by a lake and eventually joins up with the Big Sioux River. There is a lot of coon sign on this creek and I'm thinking I might even be able to catch a few mink under a bridge and by a culvert on opposite sides of my trapline. What do y'all think? Dakota To trap any animal before the fur is prime is a waste (you won't get any money for unprime fur). November is when you want to start trapping and that will give you all summer to learn what to or not to do. Bucket sets for coon work very well with Coni-bear traps along trails or anywhere you find coon sign. You can put the buckets out before season (stake them down so they are stable) and even prebait them to see which ones will produce. Under bridges and at culverts are always good spots for coon and mink. Make sure on mink or muskrat sets that your traps are staked or tied down good enough to hold a coon just in case you catch one. Coon catches in mink and muskrat sets happen quit often. Be prepared for skunk catches, they will go into coon, fox and coyote sets!!!!!:eek::eek::eek: Edited May 28, 2009 by oneshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted May 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 Thanks oneshot and Kirk! Yeah, I wasn't planning on doing any trapping till about October (land sets), I was just stating what the regulations are here in SD. Man, I'm getting excited! I have enough college credits that I'll probably just take two generals next fall and will not have lost any ground. So this fall/winter I'll probably just take those two, work hard and run my trapline. The nice thing about USF is that we have an interim period (J-term) in January before the spring semester, so I'll be able to focus on my trapline and working. Should be a fun time! Kirk, pm sent. Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 There is a lot of coon sign on this creek and I'm thinking I might even be able to catch a few mink under a bridge and by a culvert on opposite sides of my trapline. What do y'all think? Dakota Water sets and coon definitely go together. But, I've caught most of my biggest coon (big boars) in land sets........dirtholes. I'd slap a dirthole in several yards downwind of the creek for every 3 or 4 water sets. If you set them clean of your own human scent, you'll end up with some fox, too. Especially in the vicinity of any natural creek crossing like a beaver dam or fallen log. Bridge abutments are a great place to snag mink. Blind sets placed in the water where the bridge pinches out the creek bank, especially. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sskybnd Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 how do ya'l dispatch the critter, hit him with a stick or shoot it, doesnt shooting it mess it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 how do ya'l dispatch the critter, hit him with a stick or shoot it, doesnt shooting it mess it up Canines, coon, possum and skunk are by a .22 short hollowpoint to the ear. Instant dispatch. I make drowning sets for muskrat, mink and beaver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted May 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 I had some spare time yesterday afternoon and decided to do a little preseason trapline scouting. There is a spot only a few miles from where I live that is owned by a couple that goes to our church. Their son was my best friend (he was killed in an auto/train collision in March 2005 ). We have had access to it in years past for pheasant hunting and I'm planning on asking if it is alright for me to trap that spot. It's a gravel road off of a county highway that crosses a small (but full to the brim at the moment) creek. There is a small bridge that goes over it and there is a dry culvert about fifty yards down the road. This spot is LOADED with furbearers! There was a dead skunk on the side of the road (one less Pepe LePew for me to deal with ), TONS of coon and mink tracks ALL OVER the muddy bank where the bridge and water meet the creek bank, and coon and fox tracks down by the culvert! There are several little natural pockets and places where I can set several blind sets and drowning rigs. If I can get permission to trap this spot I think I will have hit the mother lode! Yeah...I'm getting excited! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneshot Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 I had some spare time yesterday afternoon and decided to do a little preseason trapline scouting. There is a spot only a few miles from where I live that is owned by a couple that goes to our church. Their son was my best friend (he was killed in an auto/train collision in March 2005 ). We have had access to it in years past for pheasant hunting and I'm planning on asking if it is alright for me to trap that spot. It's a gravel road off of a county highway that crosses a small (but full to the brim at the moment) creek. There is a small bridge that goes over it and there is a dry culvert about fifty yards down the road. This spot is LOADED with furbearers! There was a dead skunk on the side of the road (one less Pepe LePew for me to deal with ), TONS of coon and mink tracks ALL OVER the muddy bank where the bridge and water meet the creek bank, and coon and fox tracks down by the culvert! There are several little natural pockets and places where I can set several blind sets and drowning rigs. If I can get permission to trap this spot I think I will have hit the mother lode! Yeah...I'm getting excited! Dakota Get permission to trap now but save the final scouting until a couple of weeks before you start trapping. As seasons change so do food sources and animal travel routes. They go were the food is and ofcourse water. Prebaited bucket sets will tell you were you have the most activity for coons. I start mine about 2 weeks in advance of trapping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted June 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Thanks oneshot! Well, got access to another section of the same creek (I think) about a mile north and west of the spot I really like. Bad news is, the first private land spot is leased by the nephew of the guy I thought owned it, the same guy who has given me permission to trap this new spot. So, I need to contact the nephew to see who owns the south section of the creek so I can ask for permission; who knows though, all I might need is the permission of the nephew. Good news is, I can still trap the primo spot where the creek bank meets the bridge at the first spot because it is in the right of way. Today, being my day off, was spent doing chores, getting a few more traps (1 #1.5CS and 2 Conibear #110s) and supplies (mink bait, trapping gloves and Trapper and Predator Caller Magazine)and scouting out this new spot just to get a feel for it. This section of creek is pretty low but there's a good bit of coon sign, though not nearly as much as the first spot. It is mostly grass land surrounded by corn on 3 sides with the highway to the north making the fourth side. At one spot in the middle of the grassland is a small grove of 15-20 trees and the creek runs just on the west side of this grove. Looks like a good spot for coons and I even saw several deer tracks in the mud crossing the creek and into the grove. I found out that pheasants like to hang around by this tree as I spooked two brilliantly coloured roosters not an hour ago while checking that spot. There were a few fox tracks and there are several coons and one or two mink working this spot. It's no gold mine like the first spot but it'll work. Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneshot Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Thanks oneshot! Well, got access to another section of the same creek (I think) about a mile north and west of the spot I really like. Bad news is, the first private land spot is leased by the nephew of the guy I thought owned it, the same guy who has given me permission to trap this new spot. So, I need to contact the nephew to see who owns the south section of the creek so I can ask for permission; who knows though, all I might need is the permission of the nephew. Good news is, I can still trap the primo spot where the creek bank meets the bridge at the first spot because it is in the right of way. Today, being my day off, was spent doing chores, getting a few more traps (1 #1.5CS and 2 Conibear #110s) and supplies (mink bait, trapping gloves and Trapper and Predator Caller Magazine)and scouting out this new spot just to get a feel for it. This section of creek is pretty low but there's a good bit of coon sign, though not nearly as much as the first spot. It is mostly grass land surrounded by corn on 3 sides with the highway to the north making the fourth side. At one spot in the middle of the grassland is a small grove of 15-20 trees and the creek runs just on the west side of this grove. Looks like a good spot for coons and I even saw several deer tracks in the mud crossing the creek and into the grove. I found out that pheasants like to hang around by this tree as I spooked two brilliantly coloured roosters not an hour ago while checking that spot. There were a few fox tracks and there are several coons and one or two mink working this spot. It's no gold mine like the first spot but it'll work. Dakota Remember to leave some seed for next year, you don't want to trap the area out. Otherwise you won't have much there next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted June 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Remember to leave some seed for next year, you don't want to trap the area out. Otherwise you won't have much there next season. Precisely... Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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