Author Topic: Whats your plans for this season with high gas prices (Read 1783 times)

andytrapper · « **on:** June 24, 2008, 02:08:46 PM »

I think i will shut off the truck at road stops and go slow down on the roads and carry only what i need, set heavy every stop and really take my time for the set and do it right. Uses our mn law trap check to 2 to 3 days(drowing/killing sets) check unless i'm running rat houses, otherwise no more every day check. But sure am glad i got 1997 chevy s10 that get 26mpg on trap line loaded.

Andy

Bogmaster · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:50:05 PM »

I will trap as I always do. I think you will see an increase in fur prices, that will more than offset, higher fuel prices.
Gang set and trap smart.
Tom

lynx/cat-trapper · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2008, 06:26:49 AM »

I started converving two years ago...cut sets down from 75 and 3 days to check to 18 sets and check all in one day...ALL premium cat sets and actually caught MORE cats... NO idling and MORE wheeler use... STILL cost me 60 bucks a day in gas!!!
lynx

sparky141 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2008, 09:26:33 AM »

I plan on doing the same amount of trapping or more this year . Not much will change as far as amount of sets or travelling distance . I trap because I really like the extra time outdoors and the challenge of catching animals . I could not even imagine how much it costs to put all the deer meat in the frezer every year . If I was that worried about the money I'd get another job .

blakdog · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2008, 09:15:17 AM »

I plan on using this to run my local bridge & 'rat line! But 1st. i need to pimp it out "trapper style"!
Troy

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2008, 10:44:49 AM »

I was planning a trip out west this summer for two weeks, but have cancelled it due to high gas prices and a Ford Expedition that drinks gas.

Bogmaster · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2008, 01:18:10 PM »

Hauling all my supplies to conventions and rendezvous', gives me but one choice. Travel 65 to 70 mph, and get 9 to 11 mpg.Or travel 50 to 55 mph and get 15 to 17 mpg. I travel with my pick up fully loaded, and my 10 foot enclosed trailer filled.
Though it may take me longer, I have opted for slower speeds and better mileage.
Tom

torpedoman · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2008, 01:46:03 PM »

it is not speed the engine needs to be in the middle of its power band i experimented with my 2000 f150 and it gets better mileage at 70 than 55 double checked that because i couldn't believe it flat ground across Kansas cruise control on windows up a/c on 1.5 mpg better at 70 twice the engine r.p.m. at 70 is middle of the power band were the engine is at its best performance.2000 rpm

Bogmaster · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2008, 02:22:57 PM »

My truck is a chevy 1500, 6 cyl.,5 speed and 207,000 miles.When tpwing the trailer, I run in 4th gear. If I would run at 70 ,I would be running about 3,000 rpms. The majority of vehicles, get better mileage at lower speeds----main reason we once had a 55 mph. national speed limit.
Tom

andytrapper · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2008, 03:46:56 PM »

Quote from: blakdog on July 08, 2008, 09:15:17 AM

I plan on using this to run my local bridge & 'rat line! But 1st. i need to pimp it out "trapper style"!
Troy

Its funny that you posted a scooter. i've been working a scooter for trapping too. it was a yamaha riva Cv80 i made it in to a 3 wheeler with 150cc motor. full time 2wd. i know i can get up to 60mph. 3foot bed. hehe will post pictures when done.

Andy

blakdog · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2008, 03:54:33 AM »

Andy, I'd love to see the pics!! A monster modified scooter! How cool!
Troy

bblwi · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2008, 04:51:51 PM »

I am saving money weekly to cover operating expenses this fall. I have boosted up my equipment and will set heavier and shorter routes but more of them. I am going to go harder and longer than the last 4 seasons. If I spend $2,000 this year on all expenses I need 100 coon to break even and say 150 coon some rats, canines and grinners to cover next years purchases. Lots of things could happen between now and December, but significant drops in operational costs will be the least likely of any to happen.

Bryce

coyotero · « **Reply #12 on:** July 15, 2008, 11:54:46 AM »

I'm hanging it up.Sold off most of my traps,snares,stakes,etc.I won't trap this fall and probably not again.It's not just gas prices.I have some physical problems that aren't going to get better,achilles tendon damage on my left leg and some old ruptured discs that make the walking and skinning tough.My mother died in May and I'm taking care of my 86 year old father.He had surgery to remove a kidney with a cancerous tumor in March and now is having some heart decomp issues.I'll still walleye fish,metal detect and shoot a few birds.I wish there were some guys around here that wanted to learn how to trap canines as it would be a lot of fun to take them out and show them a few things.I wish you all high fur prices and full traps.Bill

Asa Lenon · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2008, 03:29:31 AM »

When I was 12, 13, 14 years old I trapped with a Moped. Many times I brought home 4 big coyotes or bobcats on that bike. Two draped over the handle bars, one over the rear fender and one in a packbasket. Ace

RdFx · « **Reply #14 on:** July 22, 2008, 04:48:15 PM »

Asa were you scratching fleas when you got home with that load??? Missed you at Escanaba.

R Jones · « **Reply #15 on:** October 07, 2008, 06:55:33 AM »

It takes me 1/2 gallon of gas to get to my water line. My 18 mile canoe trip takes 1/2/ gallon of fuel each way. That's one gallon of gas for the first trip. I am fortunate to have a tent set up at the end of my line. Each round trip on the river costs 1 gallon of gas. I am figuring on 1 1/2 gallons per day to be on the safe side. Current price of gas here is $ 3.29 a gallon. For around $ 5.00 per day for fuel ain't bad ! R Jones

Bogmaster · « **Reply #16 on:** October 07, 2008, 08:06:20 PM »

Gas has just dropped below$3.00 ,in some areas.I expect the drop to continue,though I don't expect 2.50 a gallon gas--it wouldn,t surprise me ,to see it around $2.75 by trapping season.
Tom

The Poet · « **Reply #17 on:** October 08, 2008, 01:11:56 AM »

Gentlemen,

I live on 'my 25 acres'
and am surrounded by hundreds of acres of good trapping land.
I run my line on foot and always have.
I like the weather during trapping season,
and to be able to just walk out my back door and down the creek.
The silence, the smell of the woods and the cool winter weather
to me are beautiful.
Last winter Sandymay and I walked out the back door one night
and had two big coon on the ground before we even got to my front pasture.
And since that was all I wanted to skin we just came home.
Elapsed time 15 minutes.

When gas was 1.89 I would run a few bridge sets
to get a few extra coon
but it never seemed to pay for the expense.
'It just wasn't fun'
to crank up the old truck and run traps,
it was more like going to work at some job than having fun trapping.
If I loose my house and land because of the economy
and go to west Texas to trap coyotes,
and live in the bunk house 'with the Mexicans',
running 200 traps on foot would be impossible.
Ranches out in west Texas are measured in 'sections',
ie. square miles, {640 acres} 100 sections 150 sections...
Some of them are bigger than Dallas county.

But I love being in the woods, alone.
Trapping and coon hunting the same woods I have trapped for 25 years.
{I know every tree, personally.}
And I could run many more traps from a truck or a 4 wheeler
but not here as there are too many fences and creeks.
I will just walk.

J. Winters VonKnife
and Sandymay

{Coyotero, I am real sorry to hear about your health problems}
{I am disabled from a bad motorcycle wreck 7 years ago}

Bogmaster · « **Reply #18 on:** October 08, 2008, 08:42:47 AM »

Closest trapping I have is 20 miles away.Most is done from 40 to 50 miles from home,though it looks like I will spend a good amount of my trapping time,270 miles from here. I go where I have to go, to trap .Once I reach my trapping areas--some is done by truck, some by boat,some by 4 wheeler and some by foot.Whatever I have to do---I do.So the drop in gas prices is very welcome.
Tom

andytrapper · « **Reply #19 on:** October 08, 2008, 04:59:20 PM »

I changed this year from the road to the canoe/boat. i instead of 60 miles round trip it only going to 25 round trip for me now.

You have 4 wheeler Tom?

Andy

Bogmaster · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2008, 05:41:11 PM »

No Andy, when I do beaver in the north---they give me what I need to do the job.Including 4 wheelers.
Tom

andytrapper · « **Reply #21 on:** October 09, 2008, 05:13:29 AM »

Cool, Lucky you. My yamaha bigbear just sits a garage. It never has been stored outside more more when week. I'am gona miss trapping ice rats with it this year. I can only use it for Grouse hunting and ice fishing now.

Andy

rzwieg · « **Reply #22 on:** October 09, 2008, 11:07:26 PM »

Quote from: blakdog on July 08, 2008, 09:15:17 AM

I plan on using this to run my local bridge & 'rat line! But 1st. i need to pimp it out "trapper style"!
Troy

That's a sexy ride man.

trappnman · « **Reply #23 on:** October 10, 2008, 02:27:44 PM »

man, this world financial thing is scary. guess I'll trap hard and heavy for 2-3 weeks- see what that brings me.

talked to my local buyer- mn coon still looking at $18-20 average for GOOD grease coon- no market for anything less than top pelts-

no one has any money

Bogmaster · « **Reply #24 on:** October 10, 2008, 04:01:45 PM »

There are those that still have lots of money.Many who have pulled their money out of the stock market, are looking for other places to invest. Would be nice if they invested in the fur trade.
Tom

trappnman · « **Reply #25 on:** October 11, 2008, 03:13:37 AM »

who has this money tom? there is no money avialable for loans, for business, etc and etc. The fact that no one has any money, is whats driving this financial meltdown.

Banks are absorbing the cash, and keeping it- no reinvesting it.

bottomline thats the crux of this whole thing- assets are outnumbered by liabilities- meaning- no money

CyberSniper · « **Reply #26 on:** October 11, 2008, 04:10:07 AM »

Decided to toss this gas price report in...
San Antonio Texas, prices all over the map.
Many areas here regular is currently $2.99 to $2.89 a gallon.
But, I found one place this morning at $2.66 for regular.
Lower prices are nice, but the question is, will this last ?
Yo-Yo prices the last year or so of course, although mostly up until recently.

trappnman · « **Reply #27 on:** October 11, 2008, 05:40:51 AM »

dropped from 3.48 to 3.11 last week- down to $2.79 as of last night

wild country · « **Reply #28 on:** October 12, 2008, 02:14:31 AM »

We hit $3.25 on sat. That is the lowest we have seen it here in Northern Maine. I to have the ability to trap right out the back door. I plan on running a foot line up and down the brook that I live on. I have beaver, mink, otter, fisher, rats coon, fox, and yotes. I pick up a martin here and there. I will set for fox and yotes on my travel route into work. I plan on running the river for rats,(paddle power) and will partner up with a friend to fun a line in the "Big woods " for martin and fisher. That is a 5 day check on killer traps/drowning water sets, and it will take us an hour to get to the loop and a few hours to set and tend. If the price of martin is what it was last year, and the reports are saying $100+ for them this year, then the gas will not kill us. I tend to take what I can get then move on.....In a week you can put up 300+ rats as long as you can keep up with the skinning and burning the candle at both ends. I would trap even if the gas price was over $5.00 maybe not the long lines, but when the leaves change and the geese start flying I can't help but feel the burn to set some steel!!!!! My thoughts are, I wouldn't step over a 5 dollar bill, so why pass up a rat. I have a strong back and weak mind...............