Author Topic: Why do people start trapping so early (Read 518 times)

Dan Mich Trapper · « **on:** October 21, 2003, 03:50:38 PM »

Well , heres why I am trapping early .
Our K9 season opens Oct. 15th as well as coon 50 feet or further from water . I start water trapping Nov 1st and that is my main line . I dont have time to maintain dryland sets then . On the 10th , beaver and otter open and if I decide to trap them , I hit all the spots that are inaccesable after snowflys . On the 15th , rifle season starts for deer , and my water line suffers a little . Late nite checks and skinning arent all that easy after hunting all day . By Dec. 1st , our snow is about butt deep on a nine foot indian with more coming everyday .
So , my early trapping may sound foolish to some as the fur isnt really primed up yet , but hopefully you can understand a little better why I do it .

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2003, 05:01:23 PM »

Thats the way it is in this country Dan! One had better take advantage of early season because deer season always interupts the best time of season and many years we get considerable snow and cold early in November. Personally, I like trapping in snow because i'm about the only one out there and there are no dogs roaming the woods. One can't be quite as productive in the snow because running a deep snow line is rather time consuming in keeping sets working but the prime fur is outstanding. Ace :grin:

Edge · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2003, 12:32:32 PM »

Asa is dead-on on the snow trapping.My december line in the north,although challenging because of the weather and terrain,is my most enjoyable trapping.Darn few people,and the animals are moving often.
As far as starting early;no need to justify that;the best time to trap is when you have time.

Edge

KYtrapper17 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2003, 01:53:47 PM »

I'll just be honest with you. Opening day starts on Nov. 10 here in KY for all fur bearers, and I will set out as many traps as possible for all the furbeares I plan to trap. This will be my 2nd full year of trapping and I have had the fever all Summer, so when trapping season comes in I won't be able to wait any longer. :lol:

jim-NE · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2003, 07:08:57 PM »

I trapped for years out of the trunk of a 1995 Toyota Tercel 2-door compact car. Even though it had front wheel drive, snow and winter weather were not very safe conditions to travel the 25+ miles to attend the land I had permission to trap. Early trapping was my safest option, even though I often sacrificed primeness especially in the canines. Into that second week or so the coons were generally hitting prime for this region, so I always had my share of prime coons. The other animals were just plain fun to catch, regardless of conditions. I still manage to take the occasional good rats, beaver, etc. I always pulled out before rifle deer season mostly for safety sake as well. My dream was to get back out after that to run a winter line...but again, the car had its limits.
My wife (bless her heart) bought me a new 4-wheel drive pickup this year. Unfortunately work just got nuts so may not get to plant ANY steel this year at all, but there is always next year. I now have that opportunity to chase canines and cats in that later season when I can have many of these places to myself. I can hardly wait.
Oh yes...the Mrs. reason for buying me the truck was 2-fold: (1.) she said my recent promotion deserved it, and (2.) she was tired of my little car always smelling like skunk or fox pee every time she needed to take it somewhere.