Author Topic: new to trapping, need some advice (Read 539 times)

just4fun · « **on:** December 24, 2003, 04:41:57 PM »

It is a little late in the season, but I have recieved some new traps from santa. What do I have to do to get the traps reaady to use. I will be trying to trap coons and muskrats, any tips on sets would great.

Bogmaster · « **Reply #1 on:** December 24, 2003, 05:03:04 PM »

Please start out by telling us where you are,also what type of traps did you get. with that info ,we can give better answers. Tom

just4fun · « **Reply #2 on:** December 24, 2003, 05:38:53 PM »

sorry about that bog. I am from southeast Missouri, and my traps are 1.5 Dukes coils and 110s

Bogmaster · « **Reply #3 on:** December 24, 2003, 06:39:36 PM »

Okay,first thing is to remove the factory oils from your traps.This can be done by boiling them in water with a degreaser or soap added.when done boiling,rinse well and hang up to dry.If you are going to use a dip on them you can dip them after they dry.Dyeing them with logwood type dyes requires that you let them get a light coating of rust for the dye to adhere to.Let me know which way you are going with them.
My favorite coon set is a pocket set,I bait and lure the pocket and attach trap to a lidewire for wuick drowning of your catch.Rats will also be taken in pocket sets.
Do you have rat dens? If you do set your 110s in front of the den opening or a bit further out in the run.
A few more datails of the type of water or terrain and what you have for sign ,will get you more detailed info. Good Luck. Tom

RdFx · « **Reply #4 on:** December 25, 2003, 03:17:50 PM »

Yep 4fun Bog has it down right let us know how you are doing so if you run into a snag we can help ... Good luck

just4fun · « **Reply #5 on:** December 25, 2003, 05:59:38 PM »

thanks for all the good info. I will be trapping on a small creek, which usually has about 3 feet of water and is about 10 feet wide. There are quite a few rats in the area I can trap. There is quite a bit of freash sign, runs, den holes, ect. I am new to this so any help on sets would be great. By the way, like the trapping forum, its been a lot of help.

KYtrapper17 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 26, 2003, 03:15:30 AM »

Just4Fun: I agree with Boggy. Pocket Sets are a great set for coon and will take its fair share of rats to. I would be sure to put all my traps on a drowning wire as rats will twist out of traps and it will also cut down on pullouts for coons.

For the rats look for any object stiking out of the water. Logs, Rocks, etc. Rats like to climb up and crap on things like these. Place your trap in the water where the rat is coming on the log and put it on a drowning rig. This is a quick and effective set. That is how I caught my first rat.

Some other good sets for coon are pvc pipe set, cubby set, and the bucket set. The pvc pipe set works like the pocket set. I put a piece of pipe that is about 4-5 inches in diameter in the bank about 1-2 inches above the water line. Let it stick out 3-4 inches. Throw a piece of fish in the back and add some lure. Place your trap in front of the mouth of the pipe. You'll catch a coon.

Good Luck,
Zach Ellis :wink:

just4fun · « **Reply #7 on:** December 26, 2003, 04:15:29 PM »

kytrapper thanks for the tips on the sets. how do you rig up the drownig set. Also what type of lure do you use?

KYtrapper17 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2003, 09:12:12 AM »

I will try to explain my drowning rig sets the best I can. Put one end of the wire to a heavy object and throw in water deep enough to drown the animal you are targeting. Your trap must have a drowning rig on it. Some come with them on them and the duke traps have a D swivel on the end that works. A drowning rig is something that allows the trap to slide one way but not the other. If you have duke traps put the wire through so the trap will slide into deep water but not towards the bank. Now stake or tie the wire to the bank. You want the wire straight so the trap will slide better.

Lure is not a REAL biggie. There are many commercial lures on the market that work. Lenons, Carmans, Hawbakers, etc. I have used Hawbakers muskrat lure #1 succesfully. For bait on rats use apples or carrots. For coons I use fish heads mostly, but marshmallows, sweet cakes, tuna, sardines, etc. will work just as well.
Just make sure your on location and you will catch fur regardless of what type of lure you are using.

Good Luck,
Zach Ellis

just4fun · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2003, 03:33:25 PM »

thanks kytrapper :grin: this will be a lot of help for me... Like I said, I am new to this.

thanks

bryant