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Post by mostinterestingmanintheworld on Oct 18, 2004 13:00:43 GMT -6
I hear you Bob. I've never been east of Denver.
I'd like to get back and see the rest of the country someday.
I don't think I'd care for the mud or having to ask permission.
We got rain yesterday, first I've seen for months.
Rained all night and the ground is so dry it just soaked it up. Can't hardly tell we got any.
I just love rain as it is so rare around here.
Different life experience huh?
Joel
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Post by bobwendt on Oct 18, 2004 13:08:07 GMT -6
no justice in this world is there joel. I was praying for rain back a month ago. Guess the prayers went snail mail instead of e mail.
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Post by k9 on Oct 18, 2004 17:21:52 GMT -6
Bob I do remember the drought of 88. It was the end of our decent muskrat population for sure. Coon were concentrated on available water sources and disease killed many of the coon off.
I remember muskrats travelling over land seeking water and the predators having a hayday with them.
Steve if you have room in the archives for this thread it is interesting.
I have for many years trenched a "V" pattern at some of my dirtholes, with the trap being at the center of the "V" in front of the hole. I often add a rock or clod, or leave a rise in the dirt on the other side of the trap, opposite the hole. This is set up as a walkthrough and the trenching not as deep as you are discussing, and looks more like a kickback on each side of the trap.
Our usual muddy rainy conditions have kept me from playing much with stepdowns, but I do like the concept of tenching, and may play with it more if I get a good open winter. I would also like to give Matt's set a try from his video, that he makes with a fire fighter's axe. So little time, so many ideas to try.
Interesting comments Bob about East VS West coyote trapping. I agree with one exception. My first trip I ever took to Wyoming I got some ground lined up for me by a guy who was associated with the county predator control board. The ranches I ended up on, were actually board members who the two county trappers answered to. Guess where they spent most of thier time? Those coyotes had been worked very hard by the time I got out there in Oct.
There were canines there but I would urge any trapper going out there "blind" like I did, to not assume he walking into an easy deal. If I would have had it to do over again, I would have assessed the sitution and moved on, instead of trying to tough it out for a few weeks in that one area.
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Post by bobwendt on Oct 18, 2004 18:21:54 GMT -6
k9, rule number #1 of trapping in wyoming- NEVER trap on a sheepman or bounty board member, as there is nothing there! They all live by the philosophy of if 2 trappers and an airplane and getter guns and denning and year round snares and a few barrels of "tallow balls" dropped from the air is good, then a few eastern suckers is even better, you know, to get the last blind bald 3 legged 14 year old coyote that never moves except during an eclipse of the sun. Rule #2- Go to cow couintry to find coyotes in numbers. Rule #3 , pity the poor guy that thinks rules 1 and 2 are not true. Another tip off is never trap anyone offering a private 100 dollar bounty- he never pays. because there are no coyotes, and should you get a floater he just won`t pay because he just won`t. Be leary of free housing and fuel also as that is all you are getting, no fur, just the housing and fuel that you can`t take home with you. Man, have I been there done all that stuff or what!
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Post by mattjones298 on Oct 18, 2004 19:42:23 GMT -6
lynx, your not making the set right if there flipping out your traps. i`m telling your mom!! matt
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Post by lynxcat on Oct 18, 2004 20:29:25 GMT -6
NO...NOT that!!! Ju ::)st figure I'll "speramint" later...what I do WORKS...and works well...just thought I'd throw "spin" on it....more like a joker...
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Post by mostinterestingmanintheworld on Oct 18, 2004 21:25:32 GMT -6
Boy Bob sounds like things are the same in Wyoming as in Nevada.
Joel
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Post by bobwendt on Oct 19, 2004 7:58:07 GMT -6
yes, sheepmen are the kiss of death to a trapper.
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