keeping track of sets

[conibear]

I was thinking of diffrent ways on how to keep track of my k9 sets on diffrent ranches and farms I always write them down but was looking for and easier way. Thinking maybe GPS,or a tape recorder would work easier. What do you guys do.

[dj88ryr]

I just jot a note on each farm, it gets me close enough. Up in the big woods, GPS will get you within 3 meters, again, close enough.

[trappnman]

I write down a brief map of land traps- usually a few landmark lines and a couple of Xs.

On water, I do a little better- as I often need them on first check or 2. I always am accurate as to major landmarks, and trap position relative to them, side of the creek. Most creeks have a pattern and say 6, 8, 10, 12 traps....

After a snow, early runs- a map saves a lot of looking.

I also have "hidden" marks I make in/on certain streams.

[bobwendt]

I just remember them in my head. must never lose any as I count traps before a trip and again after and always the same number there.

[SgtWal]

Call it habit. I just lay the line and on the next run the sets just appear where they should be.
I don't think about it anymore. It's automatic to remember the route and locations.
Sorry.


Wayne

[Cal Taylor]

GPS works really well. I got one a few years ago and it has up to 500 waypoints, and it works great. I never forget a set or snare. If I go into an area and set 7 snares, I note that on the GPS so when I go back I know exactly how many I am looking for in an area, I used to go in and say to myself "let's see, I think I set 5 or 6 here."

[robertw]

I use a note book. Cold rolling on new properties I click the odometer and write the milage between sets. This is a big asset the first time or two around a new line trying to remember which "two" track to turn off on.

Concerning a GPS. NEVER get out of the truck with it. If you loose it (several friends have lost them) and this is your only source of recording sets, your screwed.

I always do as Bob mentioned above, I write down an inventory the number of traps that I leave home with and count them again when packing to return home.

[marten]

I don't keep track.I remember where they are all the time you get used to it.

[NEPISIGUIT]

On restraining traps ,no problem. With snares use flourcesent red or orange painted clothes pins. find they are fast and they work great. Strong winds dont bother them like flagging.

[gunny]

I use Garmins MapSource Topo GPS mapping software.

I put all of the tracks, toilets, sightings, and previous catches in as waypoints.

Then when season comes I know exactly where to set, wasting no time looking.

If you catch cats in an area then don't trap it for a couple years, it really helps remember those "sweet spots".

Its made me money by saving time and fuel.

[tmalone]

I also use a GPS. I mark all sets as a waypoint. Then in my notebook I write down waypoint number and how many traps I set, usually type of set, bait used and lure used. After a couple runs I can remember with out using the GPS. I also count traps and snares I use and count them when I pull them. GPS is a great asset, wouldn't want to trap with out it.

[walkercoonhunter(Aaron L.)]

i just remember all the set locations...even new farms i can remember....but then again im not trapping when the snow is flying either...

[trappnman]

For those that don't have GPS- what do you do so that if you drop dead- your traps can be recovered?

[mike692]

bobwendt said:

I just remember them in my head. must never lose any as I count traps before a trip and again after and always the same number there.

Same here. I don't set enough traps for it to be a problem anyhow. I set almost the same locations every year as well and that helps.
I would like a GPS however. There are other things that I could use it for....like ice fishing.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I can only recall one time when I forgot that I had put traps out.

I was in my mid twenties and having girlfriend problems.

I was in a fog thinking about her and just going through the motions.

The traps weren't set as I was doing preseason setting.

The next year I told myself I'm going to finally set that canyon this year and things started looking familiar. When I started finding my covered traps I had a good laugh on myself.

I remember them by set location. I just know there should be a trap at that location. I've had 300 out and no problem finding them.

If any of you have studied memory techniques with associations those techniques come in handy sometimes.

I do have trouble when trapping with a partner because their thought process is different.

Joel

[bobCATching]

Joel,
Very well put,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"I remember them by set location. I just know there should be a trap at that location. I've had 300 out and no problem finding them."

It's funny (or maybe not) as you get older you do seem to forget a little more, maybe it's just that our minds are just busier all the time. We have so many choices today. Now I admit I've forgotten to go pickup traps after the season that I just snapped off when pulling a line. I picked up one last summer that was left at a set from the late 80's. Kinda hard to believe no other trapper picked it up all those years. I've stashed a pile of traps and had a fire go thru the area next summer and could never find the pile of burnt metal??? Memory

[trappnman]

Coyote sets are no problem to remember- but upland coon sets get tricky sometimes, esp if set late in the day.

Joesl tohught is exactly right. If yo ustand there and look- whatever draws your eye as "the spot" probably is.

I do mark a nearby tree on new or confusing locations-- learned that from too much time spent looking....

No one considers what would happen to your traps if you die but me?

Now its easy- Lori knows stuff...but even so- I have a notebook with names and # of traps, rough map of locations. Don't use it much on the line, but its there if needed.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I always figured the traps left when I die would eventually turn into artifacts and the antiquities act would prevent my traplines from becoming subdivisons!! lol!!

The perpetuation of the wildlife habitat would certainly outweigh the sacrifice made by the coyotes that would be wasted.

Joel

[kevinupp]

I have a few places I use the GPS at.

Mostly because I don't want to get lost on the multitude of logging roads and end up somewhere that'll get me shot or fined.

I do sometimes use it to mark a set that I thought would never connect, but did.

Like DJ said they can get you to within 3 meters or less and in a blinding snowstorm at O'dark thirty that is good.

When I make a set and mark it with the GPS, I also write down the coordinates when I get home. Just incase the GPS goes in the crapper or I lose it.

[Mike Barcaskey]

rat sets in a marsh are difficult for me. I wont have a stake sticking up due to theft and all the marsh grass gets to looking the same, or different, when the water level flucuates.
otherwise, I use a notebook. mostly put entries like

McDonald Farm
2 dh (dirtholes)
1 160b (bucket set)
5 110

BCCC
Upper pond
10 rat
1 160b
Lower pond
12 rat near side
8 rat far side
2 dh