Author Topic: Day 3...still nothing for catches (Read 274 times)

frozentoes · « **on:** November 07, 2003, 02:15:46 PM »

Well today was my third day. Nothing touched yet :cry: . I relured all traps, unfroze the one I had in the dirthole. I also placed another 6 sets up on the dryland area about 500 yards or so away from the water. I placed all of them around a fair sized cornfield. I also had 4 different lures as well as some sardines. Good thing about today is I finally found some sign. On the back of the field there were a bunch of coyote tracks so I set a dirthole on the field edge. Also found a lot of coon scat in a narrow patch of woods between two cornfields. I am taking my girls with me tomorrow morning to check traps. They are pretty excited. It was tough getting up today to check the line. Worked outside in the freezing weather for 17 hours and drove an hour on top of that home. Turned around 4 hours later to check traps and then go back to work. Those long liners sure have my respect. Weather forecast looks to be warmer (40's) for the rest of the weekend and next week, but with snow and rain showers for four days. Still have 4 more traps to set just undecided where to put them. Glad I did not go overboard when I was buying traps. Went to the local furbuyer to pick up my trap tags today. I have never seen so many coon in one place in my life. Makes me wonder what I am doing wrong to not even get a empty snapped trap. Also, all the coon in the shop were whole. Do people not skin their own anymore? I was pretty surprised with that. Well hoefully the morning brings a skunk or I would be happy with a grinner, LOL.

KYtrapper17 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2003, 02:25:46 PM »

Keep at it. You'll get some when it warms up a bit.

About the skinnin coons, I don't know about the others, but I put all my fur up myself. I have more pride in it when I do. You will also get better prices also. I also find it fun putting up fur. A well handled pelt is the reward of a hard days trapping.

Zach Ellis :wink:

frozentoes · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2003, 02:32:36 PM »

Kytrapper16-What is your set up for putting up furs? Is it necessary to have the temp in the room/building pretty warm? I would like to do my own, but do not have anywhere besides my small shed to do that. I will definitely skin them, more than likely flesh them as well. Just curious as to how warm it needs to be to get them to dry in a reasonable time. Thanks. Mike

RdFx · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2003, 03:27:17 PM »

You should have an area where temp is at least 50 degrees for drying and maybe higher when your working and then when not in shed working let cool down.... Also a fan will help dry..... As pelts are drying you can wipe off with rag to remove grease beads to help dry faster...... As far as yr catch , be a little patient as warmer temps coming next week. Full moon has canines stitting a little tighter and as soon as dark of the moon comes things will pick up..... Also with cold temps coon lay up abit and when it warms up and IF you have your traps in operating condition, you will reap the reward of catches and skinning too. Good Luck Also dont relure unless rained on heavy. Stay away from sets dont walk right up to them either.

KYtrapper17 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2003, 03:00:54 PM »

I skin my furs in a small building behind my house. I have an electric heater out there but I can only run it when I am in there. I bring my pelts inside the house to dry. I put a fan in the same room to keep the air circulating. Once they are dry I store them outside in the fur shed because once they are dry you don't have to worry about them freezing and thawing out which causes slippage.

Good Luck
Zach Ellis