Post by trappnman on Mar 28, 2005 7:45:08 GMT -6
We all talk about clean trapping- and cleanliness in doing so. But we all have our ideas on how much or how little importance it makes.
I'd like to know- in reality- how much importance do you as a canine trapper put on being a "clean" trapper.
My thoughts are this. I find that the trap is the key. A trap that provokes no response from a coyote is the most important thing to success in catching canines.
A clean trap at a fresh set is am ust for me- and for me, that means dye and wax. Yes, you could just wax, but since I believe boiling cleans traps better than anything else- why not throw dye into the mix?
At a remake- a dirty trap isn't a problem- but I'll have imprinted on my Tombstone "Rust in peace" I beelive as strongly as I possibly could- that a rusty trap- for me in my area- singled the end to that set as a productive cooyte trap. You can, as I do, spray te set heavy with urine and that helps the problem, but the only cure is a fresh trap.
This year when I replaced traps- I both replaced them at the original trap bed and at the side of the catch circle with a new set. Undecided at which I like better.
As far as you being there- I find that human presense at farmland locaitons means little. From the 2-4 techs that went with me collaring to Lori being at every set location with me...not much of a factor.
A coyote knows you were there- he knows you aren't there now. We do wear kneepads- but thats a comfort thing for us- don't know if it much matters to the coyote.
As far as set making equipment- in Mirandas book, he states " many have god success early- but after a week or so, find their success drops way off". He attributed that to dirty equipment. I bought into that for a while, and carried and used 2 sets of equipment- one for remakes, one for new, but haven't done that for years.
I do use "reasonable" precautions in that I'l lrinse of the trowl most days at the end of the day, switch gloves when they get dirty, etc...but wonder really how much it matters.
I do try to use one set of gloves for remaking sets and another clean pair for fresh sets- and thats to keep odors mainly blood, gland smell off of the fresh traps.
but even speaking of traps- does carrying them in the same truck with coyotes, lures, etc really keep them clean? I wonder. I usually only take as many traps with me that day as I know i'll need, plus a few spares.
To me- I believe that the apperance of the set is of paramount importance and if there is a silver bullet- that would be it.
Having said the above, one other aspect should be brought in- laziness or more properly becomeing complacent. or sloppy. That is, one slowly gets into bad habits, etc. I find when I do have problems on the line...that going back to the basics usually cures any problems.
NOW- if I could only control the weather....
Comments please......
I'd like to know- in reality- how much importance do you as a canine trapper put on being a "clean" trapper.
My thoughts are this. I find that the trap is the key. A trap that provokes no response from a coyote is the most important thing to success in catching canines.
A clean trap at a fresh set is am ust for me- and for me, that means dye and wax. Yes, you could just wax, but since I believe boiling cleans traps better than anything else- why not throw dye into the mix?
At a remake- a dirty trap isn't a problem- but I'll have imprinted on my Tombstone "Rust in peace" I beelive as strongly as I possibly could- that a rusty trap- for me in my area- singled the end to that set as a productive cooyte trap. You can, as I do, spray te set heavy with urine and that helps the problem, but the only cure is a fresh trap.
This year when I replaced traps- I both replaced them at the original trap bed and at the side of the catch circle with a new set. Undecided at which I like better.
As far as you being there- I find that human presense at farmland locaitons means little. From the 2-4 techs that went with me collaring to Lori being at every set location with me...not much of a factor.
A coyote knows you were there- he knows you aren't there now. We do wear kneepads- but thats a comfort thing for us- don't know if it much matters to the coyote.
As far as set making equipment- in Mirandas book, he states " many have god success early- but after a week or so, find their success drops way off". He attributed that to dirty equipment. I bought into that for a while, and carried and used 2 sets of equipment- one for remakes, one for new, but haven't done that for years.
I do use "reasonable" precautions in that I'l lrinse of the trowl most days at the end of the day, switch gloves when they get dirty, etc...but wonder really how much it matters.
I do try to use one set of gloves for remaking sets and another clean pair for fresh sets- and thats to keep odors mainly blood, gland smell off of the fresh traps.
but even speaking of traps- does carrying them in the same truck with coyotes, lures, etc really keep them clean? I wonder. I usually only take as many traps with me that day as I know i'll need, plus a few spares.
To me- I believe that the apperance of the set is of paramount importance and if there is a silver bullet- that would be it.
Having said the above, one other aspect should be brought in- laziness or more properly becomeing complacent. or sloppy. That is, one slowly gets into bad habits, etc. I find when I do have problems on the line...that going back to the basics usually cures any problems.
NOW- if I could only control the weather....
Comments please......