Author Topic: Hey Trappnmn are you snaring? (Read 834 times)

coyotero · « **on:** December 19, 2003, 03:22:25 AM »

Isn't it the first year you get to use snares on dryland in the Southern zone?Just wondered if you had loops hanging and how you were doing.Nothing is more exciting than pulling up to a brush patch with 5 coyotes hanging in 5 snares. :jeep:

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2003, 04:24:02 AM »

Coyotereo, so how's Montana treating you?

KYtrapper17 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2003, 04:40:07 AM »

I absolutely LOVE snares. They are a great fur taking tool if used right. This is only my second year of trapping so I'm still trying to get the canines in footholds thing down packed. Eventhough I ain't doing much good in picking coyotes up in footholds I am taking a few in snares. I have caught six this year, including a nice male this morning. :-)

Good Luck,
Zach Ellis :wink:

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2003, 05:02:12 AM »

Well 16, for only your second year, still in school, limited budget, a restricted area and beein in ole Kentuck I think that your doin just fine.

Are your foot holds right near your snares? Your snares are on location are your footholds?

Bogmaster · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2003, 05:24:10 AM »

Coyotero,I doubt Steve is hanging snares.Seems like we have been told for several years ,that this was the year for snaring on private property in the southern part of the state.
It aint happened yet,and I sure will not hold my breath waiting.
Tom

trappnman · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2003, 06:22:32 AM »

Hi coyotero!

As Tom has said, we didn't get them this year.

Tom's a little more polite than me- and he summed up everything with "I won't hold my breath"

But me....

Disclaimer: This is my opinion. Not Greybeards. Not the FTA. Not the NTA. Not the.... In short- mine!

We didn't get snaring because those responsible for coordinating and working with the DNR to get snaring in the south zone fell asleep at the wheel. Or more aptly- didn't give the proverbial rodents rear whether we get snaring here or not. Funny, all the people in the south seem to want it. But those wearing the self inposed crown seem to know what we actually do want. The word "accountability" is unknown in certain trapping circles in Minnesota.

Im disappointed and yes, bitter about the lack of followthrough and the lack of effort by those involved reinforced the obvious fact that something is rotten in the state of Denmark- or in this case Minnesota.

My mistake was I trusted what I was told was happening- so I apologise for being a fool.

It won't happen again.

Time the sane people took control back over the asylum.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remember what Bambi said? Naw, but he sure tasted good!

KYtrapper17 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2003, 08:01:19 AM »

WackyQuaker: I am on location with my footholds. I have my footholds spread out all around my hometown. I have a walkthrough set made next to a two track in a hayfield where I have seen fox this year. This trap has been out for about 4 days and has been set off once.

I also have a snow set that I explained in a post earlier. It is in a cut cornfield that is now sewed in wheat. There is trail coming out of a thicket right behind it. The farmer also told me that he sees and hears yotes there all the time. This set has only been out one night so I still have faith in it.

I have also had many sets out this year that I have already pulled. I have had two pullouts which was indicated by a set off trap and a catch circle.

But, now we are on Christmas Break. :-) That means I have two full weeks to trap hard and get as much fur as possible. I have more than enough land to trap including my dad's farm that is open fields with lots of fence rows. It is just crawling with reds and yotes and also coons. I also have a golf course that has it all. Canines, rats, coons, mink, skunk, and possum.

Wish Me Luck,
Zach Ellis :wink:

coyotero · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2003, 12:13:04 PM »

Trappnmn sorry to hear you didn't get snaring it's a great way to harvest coyotes in numbers.
Wacky- Montana is treating me fine,got a job I really like and been lining up land for next year.Going to run lines in 2 States next year.Might even market my own line of lure next year.The first one I developed,3 of us caught a little over a 100 coyotes on in 30 days.We used this one in our regular lure rotation.Got to get off this infernal machine,got snares to build.Wanted to head South to the Missouri Breaks for a little cat trapping,doesn't look like I'll get there this week.Boys keep your powder dry and your nose into the wind!

foxtail · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2003, 04:30:48 PM »

I also am less than happy about not getting snares.
I am sitting on a pile of them which should be staked to a fox about right now. :?

steven49er · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2003, 05:50:37 PM »

Trappnman, tell us how you really feel. Lol, just kidding.

It would be really nice if we could get this done. I guess it is not a top priority for the "association" like changing the fisher/marten season was. Also it is a common misnomer that we cant snare in the "south" zone. It is what is called the forest zone that we can snare in and the farmland zone is off limits. It is a safe bet that I live as close to the Canadian border as Tman does to the Iowa border and I cant snare west of Hwy 59. I live west of Hwy 59 so a good part of my favorite areas are off limits.

Also could someone explain to me why they decided on just private land. Up here there isnt a pheasant hunter for a couple of hundred miles running his dog and the duck hunting is done when the proposed season opens. So it just blows my mind why we cant snare on public land. Heck up here there wont be a human track on most of them after the close of deer hunting unless it is a trapper.

longhunter · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2003, 01:39:05 AM »

Here in Maine we just don't get to dry land snare at all......In fact the entire snare MUST be under water,Period. I used some under ice last season and hope to set more that way this year....assuming we ever get safe ice that is.Good luck all....L.H.

trappnman · « **Reply #11 on:** December 20, 2003, 06:02:05 AM »

I think you summed it up 100% steven when you said this wasn't a priority for the association

I cringe when I think what the priorities were and are- the proposal to change mink season in the south to about Thanksgiving stands out like a beacon, as does the self serving dates on the martin/fisher season.

I do know but keep forgetting that the "farmland" zone does run all the way up the western side of the state.

Its like "we want you to use snares, but we will make it so restrictive and so silly, that they will be useless to you.."

And that is if we would have gotten snares!

This pheasant thing is absolutely ridiculus. It was agreed to by people that apparently have never seen a pheasant dog work or indeed, a pheasant. My coyote line goes right through the "heart" of the pheasant country if there even is such a thing. Hunting pressure is ZERO. Any serious bird hunter goes to Iowa or SD. Plus- here the rub. We would only be allowed to snare on private land. Private land requires permission. So any pheasant hunters would also have permission, and thus be aware of the snares- or be a tresspasser. In either case- a pheasant dog hunts within a few yards of the hunter- certainly no more than 30 or so. But yet we couldn't snare until pheasant season is over. This was poorly researched and poorly presented- the MTA should have been done their homework and presented the case properly. Sad thing is- all along those "in charge" were painting a different picture than was actually occuring- thus forestalling any other input or participents into the picture.

Probably too busy finding a place to hang their latest "Feel Good" awards.

Another point- input from those in the DNR that know the true facts on snaring WERE for snaring on public land- but the MTA didn't want to offend. Offend who? Those pesky pheasant hunters again?

Brought to you by the same people who oppose nonresident trapping. They can spin and they can babble that "we only do what we are told" Baloney. Leaders lead. Leaders don't obstruct. And leaders certainly don't promote self serving programs and proposals.

For some reason the "leadership" semes to have a program to make it al but impossible for anyone toactually make money trapping. Want to trap as a hobby for 3 days a year? Come to Minnesota.

All the gains we made over the years are slowly being eroded.

And that is how I feel about that!

trappnman · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2003, 06:50:48 AM »

heres a picture to show pheasant hunters as to WHY we should have the use of snares.... (thanks to stef for pix)

steven49er · « **Reply #13 on:** December 20, 2003, 10:30:14 AM »

What gets me tman is why are we worried if we snare someone's hunting dog. If that dog is leashed trained at all and the owner is responsible and nearby the dog is as safe as can be. I have personally snared my own dog several times when I am not watching him close enough. It usaully happens when I am checking beaver traps with snare close by. It is like a light bulb goes off in my head that the dog isnt around and I find him content as can be waiting for me to let him out. But this is all a result of proper leash training as any good hunting dog would have received.

It is the irresponsible dog owners that allow their dogs to free roam that are in danger and we will have problems with them on public or private land.

coyotero · « **Reply #14 on:** December 20, 2003, 11:29:53 AM »

Gentleman,I didn't mean to start a thread about how not getting to use snares was unfair.We as responsible trappers/snaremen don't want any train wrecks with snares.I've had my own dogs caught in someone elses snares.They are leash broke and still fought the snare.I won't set snares where there is the remote chance of catching a dog,deer,elk,antelope,cow,horse and sheep.Snaring train wrecks have given snaring a blackeye in the West before because of illthought out locations.The snare locks we have now are quick killers if setup right.Just because it is legal to do doesn't make it the right thing.In my youth I was filled with self righteous indignation over "my rights".After a few train wrecks I'm more worldly and mellow now.I don't care if they are breakaway locks,they don't always breakaway,shear off or tear out.This isn't meant as critism(spelling) of anybody's post.Keep your powder dry and nose to the wind,there's Griz in these hills.

trappnman · « **Reply #15 on:** December 20, 2003, 12:51:48 PM »

Its understood that snares need to be used responsibly.

Now understand the coonhunters didn't have a problem with the snares- or were they even mentioned as a reason- but PHEASANT hunters.

Now- anyone that has ever hunted phesants will know that the chances of a pheasant dog being hurt in a snare are about.....zero.

steven49er · « **Reply #16 on:** December 20, 2003, 05:41:18 PM »

Coyotero, point well taken. I am in no way, shape or form advocating the indiscriminate use of snares, or any type of traps for that matter. Also my dog is the only one that I have ever snared, knock on wood. But I will have to again say that if a dog has been leash trained, and the training has included the use of a choker collar for heel or whoa training I stand by my assertion that a dog will not fight the snare. At least not if it has been in there for a short period of time.