Author Topic: Thoughts for a beginner  (Read 499 times)

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Offline joker80p

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Thoughts for a beginner
« on: June 16, 2008, 04:46:32 PM »
I've already gotten some advice and input from some of my posts as well as reading through the posts of others and alot of different web sources.  Well i found a trapper ed class finally so im looking forward to my first season. However, in not really sure where to go yet.  I have one place i can go for sure to set coyote and bobcat sets but its quite a ride.  Then i have a much closer option but i want your thoughts on this.

Right behind our house we have a swamp that runs for a bit.  I have seen many muskrats and they have made quite a mess of the area around our burning barrel.. quite a few holes.  A beaver or two has been spotted a few times.  I have seen a few coon tracks and we have had possum and skunk in the yard.  As for background of the area, we are the last house on the road. After our driveway is a dirt road that goes into some other property im trying to get permission to hunt on. We do have one neighbor. The part i am worried about is we have cats...outside cats and alot of them also 2 dogs but they can reach the swamp area.  So what is your opinion. I thought this may be a good place to start.  I will have to be very careful on my sets but it should get my feet wet so to speak.  Do you think the area could be trapped safely.  Im not looking really have have a huge fur pile for my first year but more to use it to learn and have a few  new experiences.  If so how would you recommend i set up. What kind of sets and what should i use. I thought float sets may be the safest as i can get them out in the water wear our "PETS" cant reach them.  But i also see a few muskrat trails that are very tempting but can easily be found by the cats.  As for my equipment, i have a dozen #1 stop loss, 2 dozen 110 conibears,a dozen 1 1/2 coil springs, some 1 3/4 coils, 160 conibears, 330s, and i think some 4 coil springs. I dont remember exactly but i have 4 full milk crates of traps

Offline Bogmaster

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Re: Thoughts for a beginner
« Reply #1 on: June 16, 2008, 05:02:47 PM »
 Go to the water--coon will be good next year ,rats and mink also. What state are you in,beaver are also a good bet. By staying in the water, you will avoid any cat problems.
 For beaver, I use castor mounds and 330s. For rats,I set on the sides of the houses, dens can also be set along with feed beds and toilet areas. For coon and mink, I prefer pocket sets.
 Tom
If you need trapping supplies---call ,E-mail , or PM me . Home of Tom Olson's Mound Master Beaver Lures  ,Blackies Blend--lures and baits.Snare supplies,Dye ,dip,wax,Large assortment of gloves and Choppers-at very good prices.Hardware,snares,cable restraints and more!Give me a call(651) 436-2539
  I now also carry --- The WIEBE line of Knives and their new 8 and 12 inch fleshing Knives.

Offline joker80p

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Re: Thoughts for a beginner
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2008, 03:32:38 AM »
Im in New York.  Well i guess i will have to start learning about water sets and give it a try when the season comes.  What exactly is a pocket set? That is where you make the hole big enough for the animal to go in and place a trap at the entrance or in the water just below it right of course with your bait or lure in the back of the hole.  I dont think there are any places with room for that kind of set.  For the most part the land just slopes into the water so its about level all the way.

Can cats or dogs be caught in cooncuff type traps?

Offline four coil

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Re: Thoughts for a beginner
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2008, 01:24:22 PM »
I caught my neighbors cat in a coon cuff by my pond on my land.  Was using a piece of fish for bait. Cat was a little mad, but was released unharmed. Didn't see that cat by the pond for 2 years, but this past spring he was back down by  the pond. Hopefully he doesn't get a refresher course.
Shawn