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Post by trappnman on Nov 2, 2004 7:52:16 GMT -6
I'm halfway through my main yote season- and its rained 20 out of 24 days...... add to that its a sea of corn everywhere you look...and my numbers on yotes are down...I'm skinning yotes most days...but we're not going to break 100 unless my western line has record #. On the good side- 10 reds already- could perhaps get 20-25 of those as I have some good red country yet to set up.
MN usually has dry falls- but this is 2 out of 3 for me- 2001 was a wet year where first 9 days were rain. I am ahead of that year...so don't feel TOO bad.
The two biggest drawbacks are access and places to set with all the crops in, plus the obvious of trying to expand and maintain muddy sets. esp when the possums and skunks, etc are still a daily concern.
The next week is suppose to be dry so we will finally be able to expand a litlte- then I think we will be pulling all the old sets and replacing them with fresh sets in the same locations....hoping that this dry weather will boost the corn harvest----its not like the farmers don't WANT to get it done...
Am very pleased with the Montanas- No equipment problems they proved they are a very nice coyote trap.
Am also pleased with the cable stakes- tried them out for first time this year-
Another bonus to the season is the knife I got from JL...I skinned every coyote, fox and coon I've taken this year with the knife- from start to finish- and all I do is take a diamond rod and "kiss" each side 3-4 times before each animal....thanks JL!
Lori has taken 7-8 yotes and 5 reds in sets she made - plus coon so not too bad for year #1...
So thats our season do far- up on reds, down on yotes, even with coon.
All and all- we are having a great time- sun will only be a bonus...a BIG bonus.... but a bonus.....
How goes your season?
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Post by briankroberts on Nov 2, 2004 7:58:24 GMT -6
Sounds like you 2 are making the best of a bad situation, rain and standing crops make things bad.
Down here 99% of the corn and beans are out, we did get another 3" of rain yesterday.
Coons and everything else start friday, Yotes and fox the next weds.
Looking forward to trying the Montanas, got some more dirt to wax and I'm building me a skinning machine like Beav's.....B.....
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Post by Zagman on Nov 2, 2004 8:25:30 GMT -6
Hey Gappa, we have swapped on the weather.....for the first time in years, my week was relatively dry....this allowed me to have 100% access to ALL locations, and just as importantly, allow me to get new traps in the ground daily and get on new coyotes. This is critical, in my opinion.
Actually, the weather was too warm and I had either an east wind or no wind. I would have liked it better if it was a little colder, with a couple of fronts coming through....my best days were after nights of either wind or wind and rain......
I am well ahead of any other season I have had in the past, and I had some good days on coyotes.....one day of 6 coyotes, two days of 7 canines (6 coyotes/1 red and one of 7 coyotes), and one day of 9 coyotes. My skinning time per coyote is decreasing.....
This allowed me to change my daily average from 4 coyotes a day to 5 coyotes a day, contributing to the grand total at the end of the week....I have lots of pics and hope to learn to post soon so I can share......
Besides the weather, two big changes this year with me....1st, I have the O'G/Dorn dogs, which are a lot of fun and company.....but my specific locations, especially on flat/urine/post sets have changed due to the dogs help....
Second, this is the first season where I am 100% BIG IRON (GRRRRRRR!).....have not set a #2 Bridger this year....I think I added a couple of coyotes because of it....
Caught several coyotes in Montanas...the ones I have are tricked out, new chains, shock springs, Sterling swivels, offset, etc, and seemed to perform flawlessly....
Regarding lure and bait, besides the Stef test lure and bait, I didnt' try anything new and I stuck with my old standbys and they all continue to perform for me....
Z rode with me for a couple of days and I found enjoyment in that, plus he brought a bunch of strawberry Pop-tarts.....frosted. I think he enjoyed it too.....
I missed some coyotes where I got lazy and did not change traps after multiple catches OR I did not have a clean set where I had already made catches in the only sets there.....I know better.
5 doubles so far......Z and I talked about number of traps per location. I think I am better off, in only one week, to get as many locations set on as many different farms as I can with a minimum of 2 and sometimes 3 sets per location......I do have some spots with 5-8 traps set, based on sign, but for the most part have 2-3.
If my percentage of doubles was a lot higher, I might change that. But, 25% of my coyotes have come from doubles, not sure if that is a high number or not, as this is a very small sample.....
Some real nice colored coyotes this year...the day I got 9, they all looked like western coyotes. However, I have caught about 12 of those ugly red coyotes, but they all count in the tally.....Coon Duke jinxed me since I busted him on his first coytote, which was red, plus I HATE red coyotes.......
All in all, I am pleased with the season, thankful for the weather and mad that I am back at work....hate trapping in the dark. Had a big day this AM and did not remake any of the sets....will remake tomorrow, so am not expecting much in the way of a catch on Wed......cant catch coyotes in traps that are setting on top of the ground snapped, no matter how good you are....
Zagman
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Post by Edge on Nov 2, 2004 10:03:10 GMT -6
Well so far,my changes in trapping technique,mostly my gang setting technique,and trapping small areas heavily(summer trapping,really)are paying off many-fold.
I scheduled more "time off" this season as I knew when I'd be running,it would be running hard.In my off time I scout and call and clean traps.I am sick of cleaning traps,I am not boiling anymore,I am power wshing and storing one overnight in black dirt.My next line is TOTAL wilderness;if the no-boil is going to bite me in the a$$;it will be on tis line.
My catch per trap nite is up;way up.My hold percentage is up,my catch per visit is astronomical.As far as I can tell,I have had no pattern misses;this is a first for me.FWIW,I am doing nothing different on set layout;its just that every yote is stepping where they are supposed to.
My miles/coyote are down,but not enough to compensate for the higher fuel prices so my gas bill still sucks.
I think my success boils down to one thing;coyotes and coyotes only;kill fur.No distractions,no interruptions.When I'm on the line or calling I am as focused as a bullet in flight and it is paying off Big Time.
Edge
This post is not meant to sound boastful;I am no braggart and I leave my ego in the Yacht.I owe all my success to those who went before me and those on the line now;like a hammer,I am just a tool.
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Post by coydog on Nov 2, 2004 14:06:17 GMT -6
Season starts Sat. for us. Looks like we may catch a break on rain for a little while, which is fine with me. Seein some good sign, and lookin to go full throttle. Just got to get through a few more nights of work  |
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Post by Stef on Nov 2, 2004 17:45:22 GMT -6
Well, slow start for me... should move more now because now, I just been accused at the criminal for "ANIMAL CRUAULTY"  I killed a dog and now I'm in nuts. After talking with many peoples.... maybe It won't be too bad. We'll see. The only thing that I don't like.... The SPCA ( kind of PETA here) is backing up the dog owner. Believe me, it slows down my season so far a story like that  Good luck everybody! Stef |
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Post by SteveW on Nov 2, 2004 18:21:38 GMT -6
Steve, as we all know you used to be a smaller trap advocate on trapping yotes. Are you using 100% Montana's or do you still set a few 1.75?
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Post by jsevering on Nov 3, 2004 4:28:03 GMT -6
Coyotes are there, foxes arnt, that hurts, but the coons look real good.
average right around three yotes a day, so far, weather is nice.
first triple of the year yesterday all three had mange bad. five dogs with mange this year off the same farm, was gonna pull the farm but figured I give it to friday when Ill drop back on loop 2.
Z any foxes your way?.......jim
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Post by JLDakota on Nov 3, 2004 6:30:19 GMT -6
Steve, glad to hear the knives are working for you. Early reports I'm getting from other trappers that own them are the same, that being happy skinners. Thanks for posting your opinion, I appreciate it. Tell Lori I'm proud of her catches thus far and there was never a doubt in my mind that she would be successful right out of the gate. BTW, I knew you'd like the 3's and the cable stakes although you'll probably not like the "stake removal" much depending on yoiur soil. ;D JL
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Post by vttrapper on Nov 3, 2004 8:09:58 GMT -6
Ran hard for 7 checks then had to pul the bulk of the line. I am pleased with the season so far. New land i trapped went from outstanding to poor, guess they moved when i set up,LOL. i also have been plaged with standing crops or crops thta are being harvested in a hap hazard meathod. Like a corn field that has been opened up then much of it left standing and no time frame to finish the harvest. Makes it a little chancy when setting and i am dealing with more soybean fields which are not harvested at all yet, so whats a guy to do?  ? trail sets. Benn running many more of them this year on drags and they are really shineing. Ganging the trails with 3 or more traps have yeilded me 2 tripples which is a first and a few doubles. fox are in the subburbs so they are safe. New gland lure has been a joy and the next big line starts Dec 1. frank |
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Post by lynxcat on Nov 3, 2004 9:22:04 GMT -6
Ditto here Steve...we're a high mountain desert...8 or 9" or rain a year...it's rained for the last two weeks almost daily...wax'd dirt?? It does NO good where there is that much water over that length of time...BUT on the + side it's cleared up as of tomorrow...and yesterday I got out 40+ snares...HOPEFULLY things will improve..QUICK!!!'
It's just that it gets SOOOOOO frustrating that you done even want to go out....NOT a good mind set for a trapper eh???
later
lynx
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Mark
Demoman...
Posts: 219
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Post by Mark on Nov 3, 2004 15:55:43 GMT -6
Been at it two weeks now and am happy so far, but I would like to have more coyotes. I did catch a coyote in a re-make after a coon with the same trap, but I think I should change traps more often and/or make more fresh sets. Got a bunch of coon so far. A lot more than last year. Got my first double on coyotes this year. Two big males. I would like to ask a couple questions: Steve mentioned pulling the old sets after multiple catches and making fresh ones at the same locations. Should I be doing this if no action at the old ones for a few days when i know the yotes are still there? Should I pull and make new sets in a location if I catch domestics or will a yote hit that set after a domestic has been caught. I got three domestics today. What a pain releasing them.  How close to the old set can i make a new set, especially when the old location is a very good choke point? Do I have to use a new trap in the new sets? Right now all my yote traps are in the ground; even the ones that have been hit with whatever critter. ( yote, dog, possum, cat, coon) Lots of questions. opinions are appreciated. Mark |
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Post by z on Nov 3, 2004 16:28:08 GMT -6
Jim, Just getting going........
A grey, a coyote, 4 coon!
Should have 30 + or - in the ground by Friday, A few more before work everyday.......
I can smell a few doubles.
"Man, You must have a lot of coyotes over there".........LOL!
Do they jump in the truck like zaggars?
zzzzz
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Post by mac on Nov 3, 2004 16:31:41 GMT -6
I have run my relatively short line for canines as I usually do. The early canine season typically starts about the 20th of October or there abouts. The general season for other critters other than beaver started Oct. 31. I teach school and trap what I have time and energy for on my off time.
Typically the weather is horrible. The early two week season was by far the best I can remember. It may have sprinkled a bit but no real rain. Did not have to remake one time due to weather.
Caught a few well fur coyotes and some mangey ones during the early season. No record catches but I was happy. Have a few fisher, mink and otter sets out.
The weather has been pretty darn good so far for this also.
Having a great time.
mac
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Post by jsevering on Nov 3, 2004 17:21:15 GMT -6
Coyote population is good, wish they would jump in the truck and the carcasses learn to leap out, lots of lugging, mark must be on his second wind by now, know he has alot further to bend than I do ;D.
a good friend in the next township over picked up a mangy red yesterday, I got one the other day looks like he was just starting around the ears. only two greys so far, both looked healthy, but the average fox ratio is down pretty good, compared to years past on that loop,hope I dont find it in loop 2, next week will tell.
Hope it dosnt get over your way, Z and you knock them dead....jim
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Post by brushwolf on Nov 3, 2004 17:23:44 GMT -6
jim i am seeing few fox over this way.Plenty of coyotes but in a week of trapping only have 1 grey. I trap between accord and kingston and locations that usually produce fox so far have not.I was wondering if it was just a local problem or if others saw a decline in there fox catch also.
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Post by vttrapper on Nov 4, 2004 7:00:05 GMT -6
Mark,
If i have coyote sets that have caught coyotes and then go dead, a new set outside the catch circle seems to help on occasion. Remember, sometimes the remaining coyotes move on for a while only to return after a week or 2, or sometimes next season. If you have new territory to set, do so.
I have little experiance resetting after a domestic catch but would re set and if you know there are more coyotes in the area put in a fresh set or 2.
frank
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Post by trappnman on Nov 4, 2004 7:23:41 GMT -6
I reset after domestics with no problems.
Pulled a loop yesterday and also decided, now that it has stopped raining and we are suppose to get a week or more of sun.dry..to pull every trap that had taken ANY catch from a possum to a coyote over the last 2 weeks. Tues night was the first dry night in weeks, and the yotes really moved....unfortunately, in 70% of the cases, he avoided the trap....rust.
Every coyote we have taken in the past week was from an UNTOUCHED set- in other words, a waxed trap with no rust.
The traps we pulled up that were avoided were as red as stef's favorite coyotes....
So...all cleaned and waxed last night- going back in the ground today ....
I've never been one to change traps- never had a need to... that is, I noticed the misses, but was happy with the catches...but this year, with the lack of movement, every miss counts.
regarding Montana ratio- I'm running about 60-70% Dukes, a few Bridgers and the rest Montanas.
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