Confidence and being an all around trapper

[coyotero]

I always say I hate beaver trapping.I really don't I'm just not as confident trapping them as other species.I haven't lived in good or even fair beaver trapping country so I didn't pursue them much.I'm way more confident trapping coyotes,fox,muskrat,mink,badger and weasel.Lots of times with canines I don't even look for sign as there are just places,land features,they use,that's what I set up.I guess you learn that with experience.I want to be a better all around trapper so I'm going to work on my confidence by trapping animals I'm not as experienced with.Beaver,Raccoon and Bobcats have been my least caught critters.In Montana there were so many Bobcat trappers where I lived it was like culvert trapping in Minnesota in the fur boom days.
    The furbearer we have the most of around where I live now is raccoon.They are literally everywhere.Every body of water has coon sign,they have highways from the cornfields to other spots.I see fresh roadkilled coon almost every day on my way to work.The catch is there are lots and lots of pheasant hunters with dogs so this will restrict my methods.My plan of attack will be 1 1/2 coilsprings sets in the water and Dog proof traps on dryland.I'm going to start building up my stock of Duke 1 1/2 coils and the Duke Dog Proof traps.That's the plan anyway.

[Macthediver]

I've done a little water trapping almost every season since I was a kid, but like you my confidance is not good. I consider my self a land trapper and really got my start trapping fox, which at the time was closely guarded seceret. I took some knocks till I figured things out and I'm far from a great land trapper. I do feel pretty good about my ability thought when it comes to figuring things out. I sometime can just drive past a farm and see where to make a K-9 set from the highway. I've help more than one person catch their first coyote even though I've never caught that many myself.
Yet I get down in the creek or in the marsh and I feel like I flounder and fumble around. I catch my share of rats a few mink and I can catch a beaver or two. But there are guys here around me on the river that just hammer the rats. I will admit I've never rode along with any of these kind of guys to see just what they do different. Where as I had a pretty good land trapper ride with me on my line years ago and point out what I was doing right.
Maybe that is the differance in why I think like I do and maybe I'm a better water guy than I know??

Mac 

[coyotero]

Mac
Whenever I drive anywhere I look at land features and spot canine set locations.In water trapping I seem to be able to spot the locations OK.I just don't feel satisfied with a set as when I'm land trapping.I almost habitually say "That's a dead coyote" to my self after making a canine set.

[Bogmaster]

 Every water trap I set--I expect it to make a catch.If you do not have confidence in a set you make--pull it and throw it back in the truck.You will catch just as much in the truck,as in a trap set you have no confidence in.
 Tom

[poundnetter]

 Like stated without confidence leave em in truck .  trapping has its basics . stablize ur traps n set on LOCATION where ur animals r useing & You will do good be it water or land

[coyotero]

I disagree on leave them in the truck.I believe you have to set them and learn from the experience.Get as much information about the critter and set types then go set on them.I can still remember back to the beginning when I would agonize over canine set locations.Now I smile just thinking about those days.

[RdFx]

Yotero you are on right track, the thought of leaving traps in truck because of lack of confidence is  a lazy trapper!  Let the animals  show you the way and you will only get that from (experience) and hopefully  some mentoring  and help from experienced trapper.  Good Luck

[Bogmaster]

 you guys are both loco--but then what trapper isn't.
 If you do not believe a set you have made,will connect-- it won't.
 Tom

[coyotero]

Bogmonster we are talking about confidence.How long did it take you to become confident in your ability to catch beaver.Probably not with just the first catch.After awhile it was go to the site,pick the set spot,bang in the 330,lure and think "Now that's another dead beaver" and it was.It becomes second nature,simple to you,no doubt in your mind.

[TRAPnHUNT]

Coyotero,
  I dont have too much time to put out my sets but when I do I target beaver the most. It's just like any other critter that you maybe targeting. You need to study & learn all you can before you gear up and set the steel. In due time your confidence will build up. But on the other hand, if they're not around, you might as well target what is and go with that.

Good luck to you,
Ron

[trappnman]

I agree, in a way with Bog- one has to have confidence in methods to make good catches- but confidence can only be gained, by setting traps.

I have all the confidence in the world in my methods, but many times on both land and water, you find you have to set in such a way, that you don't have a lot of confidence in THAT location/set- but the alternative is not setting.


I call such situations "throwaway locations"- and while i'd not go far out of my way, I'll set them and check them if convienient


and they always give me fur collectively